Been a long time...

mattblack — Sat, 18 Feb 2012 10:17:00 +0000

For the last few months I have been consumed by a myriad of challenges, mostly from training to be an art teacher. For that reason I have been neglecting my artwork, or at least most of my creative output has been for classroom demonstrations and accumulating resources. This isn't such a bad thing because I'm always learning (or re-learning) different skills and techniques, but it can be frustrating when ideas surface and I can't act on them. Recently though I made a bit of time to produce 3 illustrations for the next Lazy Gramophone project: a collection of illustrated stories with themes ranging from childhood to old age, to be published/printed later this year. The story that I've illustrated is by Vincent J Prince and falls in the old age section. The above image is a little taster. Whilst making lesson plans for my year 10 group I stumbled across an interesting artist: http://www.achromatics.com/agallery/?p=home I really want a Polaroid camera... Until next time x

Lynch Piece

mattblack — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 08:01:00 +0000

http://www.thecoloursofblack.com/p-folio.php#Lynch Is In The Red Room

The first (and maybe the last) portrait of an admired film director. Peace X

Trashed

mattblack — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 19:17:00 +0000

Getting ready for the move. Came across some old bits and pieces, some strange stuff that I didn't even know existed and a Teletubby that was still so trashed that, well, I just had to put it in the trash. I believe that it was found in this state during a rather interesting evening on the streets of Jericho. Bon voyage!Full story »

Self Portrait 1993

mattblack — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 07:55:00 +0000

Just found this piece from way back. Self Portrait using ink and bleach. I remember spilling bleach all over my trousers at the time. Never a good thing.

Experiments with air-drying clay

mattblack — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 07:57:00 +0000

My first attempt with air-drying clay, with any clay actually. Terrible really, considering I've always loved the idea of working with it. Anyway, I've had this idea of basing a piece of work around my favourite directors. No sure-fire plan for how this is going to turn out but this is as good a place to start as any. So, Mr Dave Lynch, you are the first (perhaps even the last) and this is my attempt to (re) create you. The other picture shows what Frances created whilst I swore and swore again until finally I/we were in the zone (dinner was late!). Her piece is apparently: "The same as yours, but different". I can't help but think that Mr Lynch would prefer her effort. The background is courtesy of Edith.Full story »

Project idea

mattblack — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 10:10:00 +0000

As some of you may know, I've been thinking for a while of producing a series of paintings inspired by photos that your average Jo would usually discard; the out of focus; the blurred; the abstract; the ones that used to come back from the film processors with quality control stickers slapped across them...'Actually, no mister, it was meant to look like that and now I can't get the bloody sticker off'...Those photos. If any of you happen to come across any, whilst trawling through the bins or something, please don't hesitate to send to me. The two drawings that I have attached are rough workings from what I have already come across; though I have a habit of keeping these sorts of things; they seemed to illustrate the atmosphere of the time better. One is of a few people gathered between stalls at Reading Festival and the other is of Brighton Pier at the turn of the century. Cheers.Full story »

the colours of white

mattblack — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 14:14:00 +0000

After much deliberation I decided that it was time to go clean. Darkness surrounded by darkness was probably never a good idea, so with a little (in fact massive) help from my good friend Jules this brand new, and quite frankly clinical website, has been produced to give my work some fresh air and room to breathe. I hope you'll agree that it does look a little more professional even though I still pine for the door. Still, doors are not supposed to be restrictive but unfortunately this one was. Anyway, happy viewing and keep your eyes on me web log. Thanks again to Jules for making it happen.