Feedback was spot-on with lots of suggestions of artists to look up – the one I didn’t know was Martin Lewis – will research him as looks exciting and also re-visit the others as I am interested in them all – particularly Joan Eardley, Edward Hopper and Caravaggio. I like the research side as it is a way of continuing with the art history studied with the open university – but with more emphasis obviously on how they made their work. Main advice is to look more carefully. I shall try and hesitate just a little bit more before plunging in – I am aware this should help my observation and hopefully my skills.
Feedback made me go back to look at Joan Eardley and tried a transciption of one of her works. Also revisited the sonnet I wrote in 2009 and revised it. Will include it here as very much links with my enthusiasm for Eardley’s work.
Sonnet to ‘Children and chalked wall’ (1962-3) by Joan Eardley.
Two little girls stare out from the paint,
The oily stuff scraped and scrumbled,
Smeared on the wall. Nothing sentimental, nothing quaint,
A colourful collage of line and shape.
Clownish, snub noses, they hover and chatter
Barefoot they glare at a shop full of sweeties.
Tight arms, one round the other,
A snapshot: look out for bother.
Memories of Hackney, of the infants I taught,
Cheeky faces, funny and fraught.
Of Alsations, wire fences, rushing down the street,
Kids laughing and shouting: bittersweet.
Children staring as children do,
Staring coolly out of the blue.
Lesley Norman (written originally March, 2009 and revised September 27th, 2015)/