Thanks so much for checking this page regularly. I will still be updating my website.
Emma xx
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I will no longer be posting a blog to this site. I have created myself a new blog using google blogger and you can view it here. www.gingerdollyquinn.blogspot.com
Thanks so much for checking this page regularly. I will still be updating my website. Emma xx
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So yesterday, was my last shift as a waitress at the World Museum Liverpool, I have to say, it was a rather emotional day for me. Even though the job was sometimes tough, and pointless, deep down, I really loved it... if only the money was better and the hours were better, then I may have stayed! I think four years in one place without moving up the ladder is good enough though.
For now, I'm very excited about the next chapter in my life. I start my new job in a weeks time and I can't wait. I can't wait to have prospects, and I can't wait to meet new people and try new things and to develop a new love and a new pride for another profession! I am very nervous but I know it will be great when I get used to the place. A few days ago I completed reading the book 'If you have to cry go outside; and other things your mother never told you' by Kelly Cutrone. I'm not sure what to make of it yet, I still haven't made my mind up. It obviously must have had some sort of impression on me as I finished the book and I have learnt a little from it. However, I also feel that it was complete, self indulgent drivel. I suppose I knew that the book was going to be a sort of 'guide' to make it in a competetive industry and she was going to be advising the reader based on her experiences, that being said it was rather 'blah, blah, blah, look at me, I have lots of money'..... hmmmm....maybe Im being a little harsh, or jealous even, she almost had me when she talked so much about how hard she worked to get where she is now after getting divorced, being addicted to drugs and being made homeless but the she started talking about 'The mother spirit" etc... I can't do all that stuff. Its great if you are spiritualistic, but that's just not me, the only person I believe in is myself and I'm the only one who can do something about my life. This week I have started reading 'The Mumpreneur Diaries - Business, babies or bust, one mother of a year' by Mosey Jones Now this book, is a lot more interesting. I can relate to it entirely and I am thoroughly enjoying reading about the humour involved in trying to raise children, keep a job and enjoy it, and keep a husband when you're struggling with cash and are so desperate to follow your dreams. The book is realistic, it is hilarious and clever and so blunt and to the point;No Bullshit - that's were Kelly Cutrone went wrong. Anyway, Im halfway through this one and I'll let you know how it goes. Im loving reading it! No Arty adventures this week as of yet, just a few little doodles. I have plans for certain work but Im very busy at the moment and just enjoying spending time with my beautiful son before having to return to work. My dad is coming home (yay!) on Wednesday and I haven't seen him in over two years, as you know he is an artist too and we have discussed maybe doing a little project together while he is here. After finishing my degree, I’m starting to look at what’s next in
my life??? I am feeling rather lost, I’m 22 and I have spent the majority of my life up to now, in some sort of education, whether that be full time courses, work based learning or night courses… it feels a little strange to be starting anew. The good thing is, is that I have managed, to somehow land myself a new full time job, just three weeks after completing my degree, the day we finished, I started applying because I knew I needed to just ‘get a move on’ and start fresh. It is important to me to develop my professional career status and also to be a hardworking mother and to provide a comfortable life for my family and a future for my Quinn. I start my new job in just a couple of weeks and today I handed my notice in at the Museum Café; feels a little strange. The job that I’m starting, I’m very excited for, it’s in the sales and customer service industry still, but it’s much better pay, and hopefully much better prospects for my own future. A lot are surprised when I say this, and most find the profession somewhat mind numbing and boring, but I find it intense and fresh every day, no day is the same. I actually love the customer service industry and I’ve only realised it recently after fighting at my interviews for this position. Strange how much it meant to me, I always thought I’d want to go into the education sector and teach, of course I’m passionate about helping students and motivating people and continuing with my education and skills too… but I’m just not sure about that anymore. I’m still not really sure what I want to be “when I grow up.”And I’m not sure whether I’ll ever figure that out, I know my parents still ask themselves that question quite regularly, and possibly my grandparents too!!! I’m hoping there is room for promotion in my new job, and I’m also hoping that I’ll be everything they expect and more. I’ve been researching into more courses that I can do from home or at night school, I have massive ambitions, but I’m not sure whether I want to talk about them right now, it may just be another “phase” for me (as a lot of people say) apparently I’m quite impulsive and don’t think things through enough, but don’t think that there’s anything wrong with a little passion and excitement and I hope with a little more research into these courses, I may just have a little more movement in my career options when their complete. My Nan gave me a book voucher as a small, congratulatory gift for completing my degree, which really meant a lot. She said to use it for something that will encourage me to continue, and she did provide me with the motivation to not just forget about the past three years and to not get hung up on things that just haven’t worked out. The books I purchased where “If you have to cry GO OUTSIDE and other things your mother never told you” by Kelly Cutrone. At first I first struggled to take the book seriously as its sort of a self-help book, a book to give the readers motivation to pursue their dreams, blah, blah, blah; that being said, I only started reading it on the train to work this morning and I’m half way through, so it’s obviously having some sort of impact, either that or I’m being brain-washed. The Second book I purchased is possibly even more cringe-worthy;“The Start-up of You – Adapt to the Future, Invest in Yourself and Transform Your Career” by Reid Hoffman and Ben Canocha, I think it’s important to look at two aspects of a subject (two books, one written by a female, the other by a male) because it helps you to compare certain opinions and to erase some of the bullshit of stereotypes and society preconceptions. I didn’t want to be overtly influenced by a woman obviously influenced by feminism and power. There is nothing wrong with female liberation, but I definitely think men (maybe another stereotype by myself) can be a little more laid back than women, and don’t feel the need to prove themselves so much. Am I just being completely contradictive?? Never mind…. Anyway, I’ll keep you posted on how these books are impacting my outlook on the world and whether they are inspiring me to open my eyes to the world a little more. I don’t want to get comfortable in the same routine every day. I want to go on an adventure! I also have some ideas for new blog posts and articles that I would love to write, and new arty projects, you’ll just have to wait and see. Very optimistic today! Emma x So last friday (8th June) We had a very successful private view night at our final degree show @ The Williamson Art Gallery.
I am very pleased with how the night turned out and how many people came to support myself and my fellow students. Yesterday was also results day, I am very pleased to say that I finished with a 2.1 overall! remember guys, the final day of our exhibition is the 17th of June (this sunday) so you still have time to go and visit. Here are some photographs of my artwork in the exhibition : ) So today was the first day of our exhibition at The Williamson Art Gallery. I popped over this morning and safe to say, I am extremely happy with how everything looks. I am very excited to discover how the exhibition will be recieved by the public and I am even more excited about the private view! (friday 8th 6-8pm) I have left some of my new business cards next to my pieces too. I was lucky enough to be asked to put some of my 'Augmentation' Photographs into the exhibition too, however I don't want to show anyone what the exhibition looks like on here until the show finishes. I want you all to go see it in person. That being said, above is a photograph of Fellow Artist/Student and I, Kerri Louise Simons sat infront of my work contemplating the ideas of our gallery space mid set - up, taken on Tuesday I think by Michele Rowley. I hope you all enjoy the show!! This week, my class and I are at the Williamson Art Gallery setting up our Final Degree Show exhibition.
The Show is coming along well, and all the work looks so beautiful and proficient hanging in such a prestigious space. I think that the Wirral Metropolitan College BA Fine Art Course is successful in that the third year shows get better and better every year. I don’t think we could ask for better tutors to be guiding us through this experience; after all, it is sort of our first opportunity as ‘professional “ARTISTS” setting up a show, now that we have been assessed and are not setting up purely for feedback from the tutors and external assessors. Although we are still exposing ourselves for public criticism and praise, which is possibly worse! this is rather a scary time for us all. I am very excited for the show, which starts on the 2nd of June (this Saturday) and ends on the 17th of June. Private View is Friday the 8th of June, 6-8pm and ANYONE is welcome. I would love to post a photograph, but I don’t really want anyone to see it until the show is up and people are visiting it in person! All I can say is, if you want to go to a show with a great mix of subject matter and techniques, then you should come and see our work. Thanks for taking time to read this post. Can’t wait to update you all on how the rest of the week goes. Maybe a cheeky picture in the next post too. Emma x PS. The Williamson Art Gallery will be closed Where do I start?
First of all, I wish to apologise to all of the people who check by website often, I haven’t updated or even checked my form entries or blog comments in quite some time. I’ve been somewhat avoiding the website and reality completely, focusing on just producing as much work as possible. In fact, I didn’t even realise, how many of you were looking at my page. I’ve felt rather invisible to the art world recently and after checking out how surprisingly many page views I’ve had this month, it means a lot that people are coming across my work regularly I’m currently trying to update the whole website with all of the work that I have produced over the past couple of months, which is rather difficult considering my dongle broadband speed etc… Over the next week we will be setting up our degree show at the Williamson Art Gallery, which I am thoroughly excited about! Our work has been set up in the studio over the past week being assessed by our teachers and the external assessor which is extremely nerve wracking, The marks then go to a board meeting where they will discuss and decide on a grade for each student!! Only a matter of time now (we find out our results on the 11t of June) Right now we are focusing on publicising the exhibition. Lucy (a fellow artist and student) and I have spent months developing and designing the catalogue and flyer for the exhibition and we have also been networking and communicating with other artists and groups. I have been naughtily travelling door to door in Oxton Village and posting flyers through letter boxes, I usually hate it when people do that at my house, but I’m just hoping there will be a few people who will actually be ok with it and will read the flyer and come down to the private view night. (8th June, 6-8 pm all welcome) Last week I was lucky enough to have an interview in the Wirral News newspaper to represent my class and myself for our upcoming exhibition, you can view the article here So literally, the degree is pretty much over, and I am now starting my professional career as a freelance artist (and a waitress, of course…ha-ha!) I am currently applying for new jobs and trying to get my work out there as much as possible. I have also entered The Williamson Art Gallery Spring/ summer exhibition competition this week, so hopefully I will be lucky enough to have my work on display again in the gallery which will give me the opportunity to meet a lot more local artists. Right now I am focusing on enjoying life with my family and taking some time off from studying, I’m going to try and get a ‘normal’ job to hopefully stabilise our lives a little more. My partner, Jake, has been extremely supportive of me over the past couple of years, he has been there through every ‘I CAN’T PAINT, I CAN’T DRAW, WHY AM I DOING THIS TO MYSELF?’ moments and helped me through each one. He has been my rock throughout it all and I couldn’t have done it without him. My son, Quinn, too has been excellent, his patience and understanding of ‘mummy needs to work’ has been something that has inspired me regularly and kept me going. He is my sunshine, I love him and I hope he is proud of his mummy one day, like I am of him. I have completed another painting, the third to come out of the ritual series.
I am very happy with this one, however, it took much longer than the others did.... there are things that I find a little 'ugly' in the painting, but I also like that. I think that I'm trying to expose the ugliness of the beauty industry. anyway here it is: So this week has been a little up and down for me. On Monday and Tuesday, I was finding it extremely difficult to get motivated after having a lovely weekend off with my family. However, we are half way through the week and I have made some okay progress; I have primed a canvas and started working on another painting from the 'Ritual' series, which should hopefully be finished by the end of next week if I stick to it, without going impatient and crazy! I have also made some progress and starting to get really excited about my dissertation too. I have started to write about Pre-Raphaelite Art and Victorian painting and how the artists depicted Victorian Culture and Society. Here's a large section of my essay: In the beginning of the Pre-Raphaelite movement, the members sought a way of contemporarily dealing with Victorian Society as a whole by painting socially correct, realistic art work. However, they did this by representing a somewhat fantastical/ false reality in their paintings; paintings that are suggested to be religious or mythical, most with a very romantic ideal. I believe that the Pre-Raphaelites were actually trying to escape modern civilization through their imagination, poetry, use of drawing and painting. “….the group which was most deeply influenced by purely aesthetic considerations, the Pre-Raphaelites, often interpolated a strong story element in their paintings, with moral or emotional implications, and a fascination with enigmatic or puzzling titles for their pictures” John Hadfield, Every Picture Tells a Story: Images of Victorian Life, page 11. John Hadfield suggests that many of the subjects and ideas in Pre-Raphaelite paintings weren’t accurately representing Victorian society and culture; identifying that their subjects were enhanced for a better visual response. Sir John Everett Millais’ painting ‘Bubbles’ (Originally entitled ‘A Child’s World’) 1886 is a clear example of John Hadfield’s theory. The painting, at first, appears to be an innocent, somewhat nostalgic piece of work; a little boy blowing bubbles to entertain himself, this kind of subject can appeal to anyone as it is relatable and seems to be comforting. However when you fully observe the work, the painting has a controversial message. It actually depicts a little boy, (Millais’ grandson) sat comfortably on what seems to be a charred oak beam or log with one of his feet supporting him on the ground. The boy is peering up at a bubble; there is a look of fear on his face, anticipating the providence of it, as though he is aware that this bubble could pop at any moment, losing its life. “Millais was using a symbol with a long tradition behind it. ‘Bubbles’ are fragile and have a brief moment of beauty before they burst. In the 17th century Dutch artists painted children blowing bubbles to convey the brevity of human life, the transience of beauty and the inevitability of death.” Artwork of the Month feature-2006 Lady Lever Art Gallery; www.nationalmuseumsliverpool.org.uk/picture-of-month/displaypicture.asp?venue=7&id=299 18th January 2012. There are also two plant pots on either side of the boy. One of which is closer and apparent to the viewer of the painting, is shattered on the floor, with a couple of lifeless leaves and defeated sticks resting on the floor below him. On the other side of the boy, there is the other plant pot, standing upright, holding a plant, green and growing; living. However this part of the composition is painted rather ambiguously, to go almost unnoticed to the eye of the viewer, suggesting a questionable existence, similar to the idea of the bubble. It is believed that these fate questioning ideas are related to the large amount of child death during the Victorian century due to Scarlet Fever and measles, although there were many advances in medicine and technology in the 1800s, healthcare and medicine was expensive and unattainable to the poor. “When Scarlet fever was a greatly feared illness and took the lives of many children, its possible the painting implies how even at such a tender age life is just as delicate.” Katherine Cox “Bubbles, Painted by John Everett Millais” December 5th 2011. www.novembersautumn.blogspot.com 18th January 2012. John Everett Millais has created a painting that deals with a contemporary subject, however by using a child as the subject, he has created a sympathetic and attractive approach to the idea. This is a romantic view of a distressing subject, relevant to Victorian life and culture. He has manipulated the viewer with a constant hypocrisy throughout painting. Sir John Everett Millais, 'bubbles'
----------------------------------------------------------- Like I said, I'm really enjoying learning about this subject, and it's so exciting discovering new things. don't forget that I now have a new blog on blogspot if you want to follow it, the link is here We're now in the second week of January and I haven't updated my blog in quite a while. I finished last term on an absolute high considering I'd completed my teaching application etc... I am still wating for a response to my application but I have been informed that it is being processed. I am very excited about this term as we have to complete a double module, which means we have longer to work. We are also working towards an exhibition that starts on June the 1st, and ends on the 18th @The Williamson Art Gallery. Those of you that know me, know that I am way too impatient and need to start painting right away or I feel like I've not done any work haha. I have many ideas but I am just continuing with one for the time being. So here it is, the start of my new theme: Ritual Collection- Oil on Canvas, 2ft x 1ft I still think both of the pictures, possibly need a little more work doing to them. but I am extremely happy with the development of painting skill and style I have made since my previous 'competition' series. The work is based on the process of applying make-up, and lying to ourselves. The idea of being cosmetically appealing but being portrayed in exposing and somewhat distorted and uncomfortable ways. |
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