Brief Journeys - to Nottingham for a play date...

I didn't see much of the city of Nottingham, but I'll definitely go back for another look. The station's beautiful. And that's usually a good sign.

My class was well worth the journey. We spent all day cutting, tearing, gluing, transferring, collaging, painting, stamping, tea-staining, drawing, writing, scrunching, inking, sewing... Lots of techniques that many are familiar with but that I have never tried before. Several skills I need to practice so that I can improve them beyond the level of a three-year old. But it was actually lovely to feel like a three-year old, to just delight in the process and not be too hung up on the outcome. I enjoyed the experimentation. I think it's fair to say that the results were mixed and I liked some better than others but, at the end of the day, I took all my pages and bound them together into a book that I am quite chuffed with. It's very different to anything I've made before but still reflects some of my favourite things - the sea, maps, words, texture... these loves will out. And it's something I'll continue to work on and write in with pleasure.

I was so blissed out at the end of it all that even when three trains in a row were cancelled without explanation (adding over an hour to my return journey) and I then had to share it with a large and raucous crowd of drunken football fans (and not the nice kind) I was unfazed. I sat and enjoyed my iced tea and thought about the day...

A few random observations:

• Although we all had exactly the same materials to choose from and to work with, each journal was so very different. It was amazing to see the extent of that.

• It was a small class, which I liked. Although it made it impossible to hide, creatively that is. The other three participants and the tutor are all qualified, professional artists (a graphic designer, a textile and costume designer and two multi-media artists) with evidently greater skills than I have. This made me quite nervous at first. But, I was able to shake that off, get stuck in and just focus on what I was doing and then lose myself in it, and when I did that I didn't feel inadequate by comparison. I managed to complete fewer pages but, at the end, my journal didn't stand out as worse by a mile. This was good for my self-confidence.

• It's good for me to put myself in the position of beginner in a group like that. The initial discomfort is worth it and apart from the joy of learning something new, it's wonderful to observe talented and skilled people at work. I do so enjoy being in the company of artistic souls.

• Also, although it's an entirely different context and I like to think I'm quite aware of this and remain empathetic, it's always a useful reminder of what people might be experiencing in some of the workshops I run myself.

• We all chatted comfortably but when we were really in the flow, conversation ceased almost entirely. And that felt comfortable too.

• For many of the techniques, and in general, I felt more at ease standing up. If I ever have a studio space, I should build a counter at waist height... It doesn't harm to dream.

• I love to write. And more and more, to take photographs. These are both great creative outlets for me. But there's something about the tactile, getting-my-hands-dirty creativity of working with stuff, that's satisfying in a different way. I love it. I must remember this.

• I really enjoyed the sewing, and particularly combining paper and fabric. Even very simple stitches add a dimension I like a lot. Perhaps I should invest in a small sewing machine. Or dig out my needle case and practice my hand-stitching.

• For a few happy hours, I lost myself in play. And it was great. More than just creating the the thing itself, and learning new skills, it represented an acknowledgement of my need for play, and a willingness to act on that. I should do it more often. And it needn't involve a class. I have all I need at home to play, I just don't allow myself the time. It feels like a guilty pleasure and I have no idea why. I don't have to account to anyone except myself. I resolve to do better...
  
  
• Happy weekend-me = fractionally happier Monday-me. It's not a miracle cure. But it does help.

Happy Monday to you too!

♥

P.S. extra pictures here if you'd like a peek at some more of our journal making.

P.P.S. Thank you to everyone who commented on yesterday's post. You guys are the greatest! Thank you for for sharing your thoughts and insights and support - I do so appreciate it. I wonder why this label of artist (equally, writer/photographer) is one that's hard to adopt? I know I'm not the only one who feels this. It puzzles me. Even more, I wonder why, when I eschew pretty much all other labels, this is one I'd quite like to be able to claim? Even if it's only in my own heart, not necessarily on my passport. Weird!