ARTISTS TALKING

# 8 [9 August 2007]

The actual painting is now well under way. I started by using an Over Head Projector to project teaxt on to the wall. By using the OHP I was able to distort th eplanes of the surface creating optical illusions with the text. This is something I will explore further when I start adding images in to the work. 

Just as an aside, I am as this project progresses getting to grips with my growing online empire. As well as this blog I have my own website and flickr pages. I am also involved with the re-design of the waygood's new website. From out of no-where the internet is starting to have a bigger and bigger impact upon the life of an artist. I am sure that there are artists out there who have never touched a computer, let alone up-loaded a photo and I am sure that they are happy and well. However for the comitted contemporary artist the potential of the web is just starting to unfold.

# 7 [5 August 2007]

The canvas all 26metres (86 feet) is now up and stretched.

And a new questions has come up. What would you do with a surface area this big? How would the opportunity to use this surface sit in you practice?

Can your art work on this scale? If you already work on this scale I am interested in hearing about you strategies for working on such a scale.

Follow the project in my Flickr photostream

e-mail tglennc@hotmail.com or visit www.glenncruddas.com

# 6 [3 August 2007]

This project is now well under way, I have got the canvas stretched and the first coat of primer is on. I am also now exhausted from two hard days graft.

The images continue to come in although now I am trying to make it clear that I am looking for any input to this project. It is, or has become, a dialogue about painting, painting on a large scale, so as well as images I am looking for any input; comment, text or suggestions. I would be happy to consider how I would work with say a poet or a performer.

Now that I have got the wall covered in canvas some basic issues have become more immediate concerns. The sheer size of the bloody thing for one. I'm exhausted. As I think I have mentioned before the length and shape of the surface suggest certainly a formal narrative arising as well as possibly a literal narrative, especially if I use the various very different images people have submitted.

Also considering the narrative, where do I start? The left hand side?

# 5 [20 July 2007]

I will obviously keep this blog updated throughout August but I will post most pictures on my flickr.com pages.

# 4 [20 July 2007]

Rolf Harris' iconic catchphrase, "Can you tell what it is yet?" captures the spirit of my work perfectly although I seek a different outcome and response to the multi-talented aussie.

During August, at the Waygood studios in the Harkers Building in Byker I will cover a 2.5m x 26m (8' x 86') wall in canvas and start to make a new painting.

My project has grown out of two Waygood projects the Harker Herald and the the Hanging Wall.

# 3 [20 July 2007]

More images and input have been provided from different sources however images are not at the minute my primary concern, although I would like to receive more input. The sheer size of the Hanging Wall and its shape currently are the main issues I have to consider.

The Hanging Wall, a project space within the Waygood Studios building, is 2.5m high by 26m long. Although it is one continuous wall it is actually in four sections each approximately 2.5 x 6 m in area. The length of the wall has already forced me to think about narrative. I so far have no single image that would cover this area. I will probably use several images which will mean a literal of formal narrative will develop. Which also leads to the question, “Where do I start?” Do I start as usual from the left or do I deliberately try to break up the formal narrative by starting in several palaces at once. Possibly a literal narrative, which tends to indicate a left to right reading, will develop from the images I chose to use.

My project feature in today’s (20^th July 2007) Journal, the local morning paper, I am also feature on the Journals Culture Club website. Up to thirty members of this Culture Club will be invited along for an evening to discuss this project and my work.

# 2 [14 July 2007]

The response to my invitation to provide input for me to utilise has started.

As well as porvideing images, potential issues have been raised. As I stated elsewhere this project is about opening up my practice and creating a dialogue that may or may not influence my work.

The issues highlighted so far are;

The nature of the images provided. I always usually selectimages of people. So far all the images suggested are of objects.

The level of contol and input. By how much will this remain the exercise of my choice. One suggestion has been that I respond only to popular vote.

Collaboration. Not something that I have ever undertaken before.

# 1 [11 July 2007]

This is an attempt to open up my painting process. Normally I just disappear into my studio and paint without any reference to the outside world or the input of others.

I intend filming this project as well as photographing it for daily posts here and on Flickr.com (my flickr ID is Distant Sun). The intention is to make a documentary about the project for my own use as well as a record of the event. Unfortunately all I have is a digital compact camera so I’m looking for film makers to collaborate with, especially if you bring better equipment with them.

In return for your help I am willing to collaborate with you on your own ideas. The idea behind the project is to open up my painting process and see how it develops in response to the input of others. It may be that I discover a way of integrating painting/film making in producing this new art work and this will influence the progress of the painting. I am also more than happy for you to put your own spin on this and produce work of your own. This applies to any artist, not just film-makers.