John Moore's Entry

"You can do anything you want to do, this is your world"

Well, I did it, I submitted on time for the John Moore's. I've already posted this on Facebook etc so apologies if you've already seen it, but I did promise to keep my blog up to date more this year. I'll firstly just post below what I posted on facebook for continuity...

As promised, here is an image of my newest piece for the John Moore's painting prize. After entering twice before in 2010 and 2008 with quite serious pieces, I decided to be more playful this time. I've been working on a technique I used a fair bit during my masters in 06, experimenting with it on and off as I love the effect and have lots of fun using it. The piece is really a celebration of all things painterly and is a bit quirky as you'll see from the image. Fighting the whole 'Painting is dead' notion with a piece based on a quote from the marvellous Bob Ross, "You can do anything you want to do, this is your world" It's a cheeky little dig at the stuffier side of the art world...

So it was a little diversion from my usual work, but with links to techniques I dabble with every now and again. The thick squiggles of paint give me more enjoyment than you'd probably imagine- they're very satisfying to make!

Also, I will talk about the little lady in the middle because you might be wondering...

For literally years, I have been on a rambling directionless mission to incorporate some simple figurative elements into my work, and particularly like the idea of actual people, like the scale model figures you can by for model railwaying. I have dozens of these little figures, gathered from wanderings in model shops, looking rather out of place amongst the hardcore of role playing model makers and narrow gauge miniature railway enthusiasts, I lurk around the tiny people section and peruse quietly. I have couples, cyclists, people sitting, people standing, the usual stuff, but also a small selection of stranger pieces, including a naked fairy, a clown with balloons and the charming lady lifting her top so confidently that I have included in this piece.

I have to say, that I laughed out loud when I saw her on the rack (no pun intended) and had to buy her immediately - even though at the time I had no clue what to do with her. She would join the many other plastic figurines until I found a purpose for her. (Just next to her was a figure of a police man pointing a gun at his victim's head, and an escaped convict in his orange jumpsuit.. A little more sinister - I may have to find a use for them too at some point)

So said lady has been attached to a piece of paint, not unlike the paint now adorning this piece, for ages, stuck in a box in my studio. It was only when painting this new piece that I really felt it needed some embellishment that the thought struck me that she would be perfect. Bingo! The thick sculptural paint was perfect for standing my little lady in. She had a purpose at last.

So she will enter the John Moore's competition as a cheeky and fun display of painterly loveliness that is pretty and colourful and all things that 'serious artwork' probably shouldn't be. The reason being; I'm tired of the dreary and academic manifesto's associated with 'Fine Art' that seem to sap the pleasure out of contemporary painting.

If there's one thing I've learnt from working with commercial artists is that they get to do what they love for a living. They love what they do and have fun doing it, and that is surely the point of art? To bring a bit of joy

I have fun painting, and this painting is about 'The Joy of Painting'.

God Bless Bob Ross

(rant over)

V