April 2010

We’ve begun our collection of animal head gear for Adam’s new niece (because all children should have embarrassing photos held against them at some point).  Our first acquisition was purchased today at the London Zoo.  Right now she’s more likely to fit inside of it rather than wearing it on her head, but at least she has something to look forward to.  Good thing I’m not easily embarrassed or this could actually work in the reserve.

Art related events in London continuously amaze me.  A recent example was a portrait painting demonstration given at the Mall Galleries by James Horton, president of the Royal Society of British Artists (RBA).  I’m convinced that I spent too much time isolated in my own studio and now I’m being blown away by being exposed to other people’s work.  Mr. Horton was painting this young (squirming) woman in the middle of the main gallery with a crowd of people watching over his shoulders.  I was in awe of how accurately he rendered her face and how seldom he used white paint (note to self).  I found out after the demonstration that he takes art students on painting trips to places like India.  That might have to be added to my list of things to do in life.

The demo happened to be scheduled during the RBA’s Annual Exhibition, a group show of RBA’s members.  There were several pieces that I was drawn to but one in particular that I couldn’t stop staring at.  Of course a photo doesn’t do it justice (especially as this doesn’t illustrate the massive size of the canvas), but nonetheless I had to share a glimpse of this studio painting by Ken Howard.  Now I’m determined to see if he also teaches.  There just aren’t enough hours in the day, sigh.

No, I’m not exploiting the homeless waiting for a hot meal with my camera, although it appears that way.  I quickly snapped this photo of the line I was standing in to drop off one of my paintings for the Royal Academy of Arts summer exhibition.  The flood of other artists doing the same was quite the reminder that I’m no longer in mid-west America.  Here’s a little insight into the scale of this exhibition:

One of the founding principles of the Royal Academy of Arts was to ‘mount an annual exhibition open to all artists of distinguished merit’ to finance the training of young artists in the RA Schools. Now known as the Summer Exhibition and held every year without interruption since 1769, the exhibition attracts around 10,000 works, the selection being carried out by Academicians chaired by the President.

The Summer Exhibition is the largest open contemporary art exhibition in the world, drawing together a wide range of new work by both established and unknown living artists.

Yes, I’m competing with about 10,000 other artists to get into this show.  I’m not holding my breath. However, you’re welcome to knock on wood or cross your fingers for me.

While I’m thrilled about many aspects of British culture (including a later start to workdays and the kosher nature of chips/french fries accompanying all dishes), there are a few American things I’m pleasantly surprised to find are transatlantic.  A recent example is Roller Derby.

If someone had told me a few years ago that I would love watching women throwing elbows in while skating in fishnets, I would have looked over my shoulder to see if they were talking to a burlesque-loving punk skater behind me.  But I’ve caught the bug, which my fiance is all too encouraging of.  If it weren’t for my acute awareness of my clumsiness, I would be half tempted to tryout for a league, but then the thought passes and I remind myself that I have a half-finished knitting project next to my bed, three books on deck after “Seven Days In the Art World,” and a guitar lesson next week.  It’s still fun to watch.