Hidden Talents Magazine

Hidden Talents

SPRING 2021 £3.50

International Arts Magazine

PAUL DOYLE How a leap of faith became a roaring success

Featuring Vincenzo Curcio Iris Stella Le Quan Elaine Leslie and more

THE EMERGING AND REKINDLED

ALSO FEATURING

Claudia Araceli: Award winner of Cityscapes exhibition in Time Gallery USA

Doina Dascala An emerging self-taught artist valuing spontinaeity and unpredictability

Carole Pugh Rekindled her love for painting after many years and winning competitions

PLUS: AN INSIGHT TO AN ARTIST SOLVING A CREATIVE PROBLEM BY JASMINE CHAN

Welcome to the latest issue of Hidden Talents magazine. With Easter coming, the creation of this issue of the magazine has been a lovely experience, having the chance to read a variety of stories from a multitude of creative’s has made me feel invigorated. This issue celebrates the achievements of the arts, whether it is through the observation of winning a competition, or the return to the arts, we still stand by our goal of bridging the gap between the creative people and employers. Everyone has a story to tell, therefore we present these to you.

Enjoy Evette Edmeade

Designed and Published by The Arches Project Ltd Publishing Director Evette Edmeade Graphic Designer David Noonan Advertising @thearchesproject.org Editorial Info @thearchesproject.org Web www.thearchesproject.org Tel +44 121-772-0852 The Arches Project Ltd, Adderley Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B9 4EE.

Contents Paul Doyle Patrascu Loredana Carloine Pugh Gary Carter Taran Bains Doina Dascalu Uzmah Naz Vincenzo Curcio Le Quan Elaine Leslie Iris Stella Alan Porter Claudia Araceli Constance Prince Jasmine Chan David Irish Richard Uff Roberta Feoli De Lucia Filip Letinu Sichoff Michael Alice Godfrey Susan Fownes Pacha House

4-6 7 8-9 10 11 12-14 15 16-17 19-19 20-21 22-24 25 26-28 29 30 31 32-33 34-35 36-38 39 40-41 42 43-44

Thank you to our supporters

DISCLAIMER Every care has been taken during the production of this magazine in compiling editorial and advertorial. However, The Arches Project Ltd cannot accept responsibility for material supplied by third parties and excludes all liability relating to any products and services promoted within this publication or arising from any error, omission, or inaccuracy, nor is The Arches Project Ltd responsible for the content of external websites.

Finally, the views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily the views of the publisher, no part of this magazine must be copied or reproduced without written permission from the publishers.

Copyright ©The Arches Project Ltd. All rights reserved.

Paul Doyle A RISK WORTH TAKING Each one of us travel a path in life whatever twists and turns it might take. There are occasions where we are faced with difficult decisions, ones that are precarious where the eventual outcome is uncertain.

It was one such decision, Paul had to make, just over twenty years ago, regarding the direction of his career and life. At the time, he was travelling the world, working for a company which operated in promotional graphics and sales which included marketing conferences for many well-known companies.

While pursuing his career Paul had always maintained

Tiger. Mixed Media. Oil, ink & charcoal.

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more than a passing interest in art, having originally achieved a certain recognition at school for his ability and skills, where for most the journey of art begins.

work he decided to hand his notice in and take a leap of faith to become a full-time artist. It appeared a more appealing future of unknown possibilities doing

A more appealing future of unknown possibilities After leaving school his interest continued which meant being committed to painting and drawing in his spare time but if one loves something it becomes more than a hobby which eventually it did for Paul.

Having accumulated a considerable portfolio of

something you love, rather than the stressful pressure of the commercial world.

Although Paul didn’t dislike his career having provided him with a good standard of living and the opportunity to travel he was aware he had to take a chance on art.

Changing careers especially

to dedicate oneself to painting was always going to be a risky decision in any circumstances, especially if you do not know the terrain of the art market, however he was willing to take a gamble.

His main subject matter are animals and particularly the canine variety, having

man, all these observations are important ingredients to a successful outcome.

For Paul, no breed of dog or its characteristics are out of bounds, whether a Labrador or a small Terrier, Paul wanted to seize their essence. It takes a certain amount of determined

It takes a certain level of determined doggedness a number of dogs himself.

This gave him an insight, not only to their movements, and specific features but their character, which was essential to capture through paint. The way a dog will lie down, the slight tilt of its head, the raising of its ears, its walk, the glint in the eyes and how they commune with

doggedness to capture these qualities.

To further his artistic career, an opportunity came knocking, after a trip to the framers who suggested a range of possibilities to promote his work including art fairs. It was on one such occasion, he engaged a dealer and publisher at the

NEC, with his portfolio of original work. They were immediately impressed with the quality being fully aware there was a public out there waiting for him. Due to Paul being proactive his work very quickly went into print selling in large numbers.

He also started to receive regular commissions and his paintings began to be seriously sort after. The exposure he had gladly received opened other avenues for him and further connections with the art world.

One of the important aspects to being an artist which many artists ignore, is exposure and promotion as this connects you with the buying public. The art world is very bottom-heavy market, with lots of talented artists trying to sell their work.

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Many artists never realise the possibilities or potential of their work but if you have a certain niche style and you are good at it, people will be attracted to the work, which Paul had.

He quickly established himself as an incredibly skilful painter of dogs and success breeds success. The demand for his work whether in print or painting was compelling, there even being a waiting list for his work.

This enabled Paul to live and remain independent and fully concentrate on his art. He was living the dream, doing something he really loved and earning a living at the same time.

When examining one of his paintings, it is evident a number of different techniques have been employed in the construction of the work. Acrylic, oil paint, coloured pencils, airbrush work all are utilised to make a finished piece. Mixed media

Girl - Charcoal on paper 6

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Never allowing success, whether monetary or fame, to become the driving force of his work might be an apt description.

Some of the work is almost photographic in appearance, others the brush marks can be readily seen.

For Paul, what is crucial to the success of any painting is capturing the sense of the animal. Obviously other elements common to all art such as composition, scale, colour and atmosphere, also play an important role and are never ignored in the overall picture.

Recently, Paul has been branching out, into different types of themes, including wildlife and figures, but again the vital element for him is to capture the inner feeling of his subject.

Talking to Paul it is apparent he keeps his feet firmly on the ground, never

allowing success, whether monetary or fame, to become the driving force of his work.

Being fully aware, it can be snatched away at any given time, due to unforeseen circumstances.

Presently he lives and works in North Lincolnshire, where he has a large barn studio. Looking back at his career and choices, the most obvious route would have been to enrol on an art degree course at university, Paul chose not to and took another road, it paid dividends. He has done alright for himself, considering he was just a kid from Coventry, who pursued his dream.

Words By David Irish

Patrascu Loredana

Copper & Tibetan quartz ring Patrasculori@yahoo.com

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Caroline Pugh

Reflections

When I was eight years old my granddad used to give me sixpence every Saturday for a sketchbook, and I would fill it with drawings. Since then I have grown up and raised my family and trained to become a textile artist [although I was the only trainee not to have gone to art school].

I am a self-trained artist, and I was fortunate that some of my early work has been published as greeting cards and natural history books and so after starting family life, I took time out from my art to look after my family.

I retired nine years ago and found that I had a lot of time on my hands, and I then made the decision to join the local artist society and it was like an explosion of art as my home is now filled with my paintings.

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‘My memories collection is all about growing up in the fifties and every painting is a part of me in it’ My art falls into four categories, Fine art and illustration/ My memories/ My museum collection, and urban art, and my fine art paintings for my greeting cards. My memories collection is all about growing up in the fifties and every painting as a part of me in it.

My museum collection; is a series of paintings of the old masters which I have painted from a photo image, as I simply

Sunshine & Showers

love the old masters. Urban art is mostly about capturing the atmosphere of my town, although It has changed so much in the last fifty years, with no chimneys belching out smoke and iconic buildings now being demolished, it has an earthly beauty that I have tried to capture in my paintings.

My art teacher encouraging words to me sixty years ago was to enter as many competitions as I can. I took her advice and although 2020 will be unforgettable for all

of us, It was incredible when I won Paint Blackburn having been runner up the previous year, I then went on to win Paint Padiham.

I also joined an online art club, King Lear Prizes. My painting of Aimee was in the final twelve selected from over 4000 entries.

Recently Reflections made it to the semi-final in their current competition and was featured in their online exhibition and magazine.

Carole_pugh@hotmail.co.uk Hidden Talents

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Gary Carter Gary Carter studied Fine Arts for four years at Newcastle University, and this gave him a great platform and space to meet likeminded people as well as sharing ideas, and to look at his own work critically.

He has been painting for many years and always had a space separate from home and work, and he proudly calls it his studio.

Somewhere he can slip into his oily boiler suit and crack on with the task of painting, and happy to plough on alone doing his own thing.

There is a bustling art scene in Newcastle and the north in general, and Gary works in a busy kitchen-restaurant called Ernest in the Ouseburn, alongside artists, photographers, musicians, writers this is a hub for creative people as well as those just seeking some downtime. Gary says “I’ve never followed trends but happy to just paint when I can and do my own thing. I find it really hard to talk about my painting, it’s something I have really struggled with, partly because of my dyslexia, but also because painting in itself is a mad and crazy thing to do... Why do we do it...? I would say the 5% when it just clicks and you make something from nothing, there is something satisfying in that, the rest is just walking and pacing back and forwards

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in the hope something happens, something from nothing, like the big bang, a spark that will let you in, and then perhaps a germ takes hold and your thoughts then wander and run wild for a time traversing the space before you. ‘‘I have no real philosophy on painting and most times I don’t fully understand what it is I’m doing, one thing I know I’m interested in abstract painting, colour, form, shape and movement.” Gary uses oil paint as his prime medium as he says it is versatile for his indecisions and can be moved about the surface easily, rubbing, scraping back and repainting, and so when starting a painting he start from little and see what happens.

He then looks for something to click, then try and key into the space, this tends to be how I start all my paintings. “The dyslexic part of me has trouble processing information, which means there are times when I can see and hear everything at once, so this can be a little overwhelming and so painting helps me to focus.” He is also curious in the brush mark sidled up alongside something more defined and hard-edged, and he says that his painting is a product or a response to his surroundings.

Taran Bains This cautionary tale focuses on the fringes of a dystopian social experiment, in which a group of ordinary people have been living for several months without any access to social media or the outside world. Working on this film has presented its own challenges in terms of operating with a limited budget and resourcing actors from online casting agencies whilst directing the piece and getting a crew together. I feel this production will be a great learning experience for this stage of my career and enable me to take these skills of planning and organisation forward into future industry level productions.

Stills from Hoodwink

I am a midlands based filmmaker having recently graduated from the University of Wolverhampton in 2019 achieving a 2:1.

The craft of filmmaking is an art form I have a great passion for and this began as an appreciation for the moving image during my university productions. Participating in film workshops and challenges at the Midlands Art Centre allowed me to focus my particular interest in narrative films and expand my understanding of the filmmaking process.

Since this experience, I have continued to broaden my skill set by branching out into covering live events such as fundraising evenings as a videographer and editor. This included helping to capture the British Council visit to the Arches Project. Filming their tour of the building and introduction to the Arches Project was a great way to promote the organisation and this footage was later edited and uploaded to various online platforms. I have also been proactive during the lock down period, recently filming music videos with Coventry based artist EYEDEN. In addition to this I am currently working on my upcoming dystopian short film Hoodwink.

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Doina Dascalu BOLD COLOUR IS MY JAM Life as we know it has changed forever… and as a result, I believe there are stories that need to be shared, must be shared.

My name is Doina Dascalu a self taught intuitive painter.

I was born in Romania, in the eclectic eastern Europe. I’m currently living in Luxembourg, painting in my studio at home, surrounded by picturesque settings, nature, mysterious ruins and story-charged castles.

It all dissolves into abstract art, fuelled by deep inner

workings and creative wings spreading beyond time and space.

Life in 2020 has given me time and the opportunity to focus more on painting, and this has given me a positive impact on people through my art and I do hope the paintings that I do makes people happy. I value the spontaneity, the

unpredictability, and the freedom that derives from my compositions. The resulting paintings use an abstract language generating shapes and colour fields, using duct tape, one colour overlapping the other - causing a new layer; one shape leads to another, later meticulously assembling the pieces together. Order wins chaos.

I value the spontaneity, the unpredictability, and the freedom that derives from my compositions.

Bars are strength, weight, determination, unlike those with free and irregular flow. It becomes my mission to create artworks that are a constant reminder that it is possible to stay balanced.

Stop and live in the present!

Bold colour is my jam.

Intense outlooks invite you to dive into the details and let them stir your inner world, bringing out your presence.

My biggest inspiration is the process of self -discovery, it’s all about life and everything that comes with it. Let go and give yourself permission to immerse into the healing powers of intense visual art, I want my paintings to carry a state and capture emotions from everyday life, in an attempt to bring the viewer closer to recapture his connection with the spiritual world, encouraging him to rediscover the everyday, and to reveal beauty in the ordinary and banal.

Sentimental Vertigo

The soul is never completely still or without emotions

There is a fundamental tension between peace and life, isn’t there? This is what I try to capture when I paint, quiet places in the whirlpool of chaos, for me the soul is never completely still or without emotions, each composition becomes a space that surrounds you - where you can navigate between logic and illogical, familiar and unknown, comfort and discomfort, meticulous and delirious.

For 2021 I really hope to make more connections, participating in fair trades and taking part in art exhibitions Wishing you a year filled with moments of joy, happiness and connection!

Colourfully Yours, Doina Dascalu

Clouds, Stones & Heart Attacks

M.+352 621 585 003 Hidden Talents

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Come back when summer has gone - Doina Dascalu 14

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Uzmah Naz I am versatile artist and I have always liked to bring fusion into my work taking inspiration from truck art with added femininity and childlike wonder.

I have been inspired during my life in visiting Pakistan and Dubai, and it has left a special place in my heart seeing the bright colours and patterning of trucks in Pakistan, Truck Art is a south Asian art movement which holds great pride for the truck drivers.

I work with hand painted scarfs and greeting cards. During my visit to Pakistan open markets, I saw textile designers and tailors working together on embroidery machines using the rich and beautiful colours whilst walking around getting the full excitement and inspiration.

England is home to me; I was born and bred in Birmingham, and I love the British style of living, with freedom to express in my work

as an artist, having studied a BA degree, in printed textiles in surface design. I tend to do a fusion of different characters in my work when designing the greeting cards, I found it to be fun and quirky as I used the camels and trucks as well as unicorns, in doing this I am able to offer a range of cards for all occasions.

I love painting free hand scarfs on silk where the colours tend to blend together giving it a luxurious feel , and the use of some embellishments on the silk scarfs it enhance the beauty of the scarf and a perfect finish to every outfit. Overall, I love creating and designing all year round. Doing small projects as well as designing for my company Truck Art. I find as an artist I am always learning and exploring, I have a dream, A dream to be successful as a designer and artist, after a long struggle in life.

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Vincenzo Curcio THE SEA CALLS TO MIND MEMORIES OF CHILDHOOD Vincenzo Curcio (stage name, Vincenzo Cohen) is an Italian artist involved in nature conservation.

He was born in Zurich (Switzerland) and after spending his childhood in Calabria in 1999, he moved from South Italy to settle in Rome. In 2002 he graduated in Fine Arts from the Academy of Fine Arts and in 2005 he held his first personal art Exhibition.

In 2007 he received a second master’s degree in Archaeology from the “La Sapienza” University in Rome. He has always been interested in studying African wildlife and he has travelled through many countries of Africa and Middle East to get inspiration for his art production.

Much of his work consists Tyrrhenian area, from in reworking of travel, study which the artist comes, is and life experiences by affected by the phenomenon means of photography. He of volcanism, due to the currently works as a higher crossing of the Aeolian arc, education teacher in Rome. which gives rise to volcanic His artistic path formations such is eclectic and is The sea water as Stromboli and divided into three the submerged erodes past core themes: Marsili. The the historical volcanic memories, portrait, the configuration through a wildlife extinction of the Tirrenic and the marine makes this slow process coast nature. area particularly The theme of of weathering suggestive. marine nature The artist’s stems from the imaginary need to express own sense marine world is closely linked of belonging to the sea. The to the image of water as a artist comes from a southern symbol of intrauterine reunion town where the presence of with the mother. The sea the sea influences the way calls to mind memories of to feel nature and perception childhood, strengthens family of reality. Geographically the ties, recalls the world of a lost naivety.

The sea water erodes past memories, through a slow process of weathering.

Marine elements like stones, seashells and sand represent the result of this process of mind erosion and biological sedimentation. The age of lost innocence back to the conscious mind through the recall of the original aquatic world.

The artistic technique consists in creating a material mixture made with plaster, sand, organic sediments Abyss – oil, sand and pumice stones paste on canvas 100x70cm like shells and inorganic

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Sea bed – oil, plaster, seashells and sand paste on canvas 100 x 50cm

substance of volcanic origin classical conception of “mare put an end to the blockade deposited on sea beds and nostrum”, formed following of trade imposed by the ocean floor such as pumice the Greek colonization, as barbarians after the fall of the stone and fine clay. a primary source of life.

Western Roman Empire. The Historically, the theme of Subsequently the arrival movements of the merchants the sea landscape (last stage of the barbarians led to a favoured the reopening of in the artist’s change through trades and commerce thrived production), The age of lost the closure of again. The theme of marine expresses seas and nature evokes personal and innocence back the the sense of the blockade collective memories in the belonging to to the conscious of the maritime artist mind. A tribute to the the ancestral economy.

Mediterranean and its history, mind through background of During the evocation of submerged the southern course of the memories that resurface. the recall of the Italy, mindful late Middle The collection started in of a process Ages, in fact, 2019 and is actually under original aquatic of historicalthe trade development. world cultural routes in the stratification Mediterranean having its epicentre in the were reopened thanks to Mediterranean area. the Norman navigators, who The study on marine nature describes this process of memories erosion that, resurfacing across the time from history in the form of marine concretions and sedimentations, focus on the theme of the sea, as a way of crossing, source of trade and crossroads of peoples.

Marine nature becomes a symbol of Mediterranean Sedimentation – plaster, seashells and gold sand paste on canvas 100 x 50cm civilization according to the Hidden Talents

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Le Quan I was born and raised in Hanoi. I love this city, the living space, the young pace of life, the prosperous transformation, the beauty of architecture, transportation, culture, cuisine, and the dormitory, old, multicoloured windows flashing in the night, the street beat is charming and friendly.

They are very nice, friendly, kind people, where there are old streets with a quiet, ancient city of a thousand years. Somewhere there are still many hidden French architectural features on the streets of Hanoi.

I am proud of this ancient and mossy city of a thousand years. Art is a multicolored vibe through the artist's heart. Rainy afternoon, wandering the quiet streets is very interesting.

THE BEAUTY OF ARCHITECTURE, TRANSPORTATION, CULTURE, CUISINE

After The Rain 57 x 120cm

The Day Sunshine 120 x 120cm 18

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The city seems to stop breathing, gently, gently touch the memory domain. I draw in a dramatic style, with a mix of abstraction, cubism and expression. A semi-abstract drawing form. I love the overlapping fragments of beautiful pieces over time, the narrow spaces like narrow strips of the memorial sky, a place to keep the childhood memories of a wild pink.

Contact : lequanart68@gmail.com

Full Of Spring 120 x 120cm

End Of Autumn 100 x 100cm Hidden Talents

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Elaine Leslie

Art and creativity has always been in my family, my Grandparents were sign writers and seamstress, my uncle a carpenter, and my mum was also super creative so I guess I was destined to paint.

I was always creating art, even from an early age, winning school awards and a national competition to design a health and safety poster. As a teenager, I was horse mad and forever drawing horses in graphite. Honing my skills, experimenting with watercolour and other mediums. If there is one regret in my life, it is not pursuing my creativity and going to university and getting a degree.

Never too late to start, I enrolled in a part time art class a couple of years ago reignited my passion for art. Here I was introduced to the wonderful medium of acrylic. I haven’t stopped painting since. Self-taught I think I have finally 20

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I am naturally drawn to the coastlines of our beautiful island

found my style and love experimenting with different techniques. Some are complete failures; others are huge successes.

Inspired by my father’s love of the sea (he was a naval man) and family holidays to Cornwall, I am naturally drawn to the coastlines of our beautiful Island. The textures, sounds, smells, movement and relationships between the earth, water and sky. How these co-exist with each other, changing on a whim.

Studies of the Milky Way are very prevalent

The textures, sounds smells, movement and relationships between the earth, water and sky in my collections, as are Cornish beaches, Pebble Balancing, moody skies and most recently I am creating a collection of works on the subject matter of Seagrass.

I am presently working in collaboration with a pianist based in New York, where my paintings will be used as inspiration for short musical works, and will be shown to an exclusive audience in NYC as well as virtually.

I am also in the process of creating a gallery situated in a local Emporium and hope that this will be up and running by the end of this year, relaxation of Lockdown permitting.

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Iris Stella

Born in Nottingham, England, raised in Grenoble, France, I studied textile and fashion in Paris for five years before leaving everything I had to go explore the world. A few years ago, I decided to settle down in Auckland, New Zealand where I decided to start my career as an artist.

As a child I always had a pencil in hand, my school books were always covered in small graffities. I would come home most days after school to lock myself in my bedroom, and draw anything interesting I could find around me.

Going on holiday with my parents in the south of France, I would sit on the beach for hours drawing the 22

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Exploring the world had changed me. It had given me a whole new, fresh perspective. ocean. I looked forward to it every year. To be honest I don’t remember if any of my sketches were any good, but what I can remember, is the feeling, like time had paused.

It’s only when I started travelling that I realised how much I needed art in my life.

And I noticed, the more time I spent by the ocean, the more creative I felt. Exploring the world had changed me. It had given me a whole new, fresh perspective. It was a new start, for me and my creativity.

When I discovered painting

in 2019, it spoke to me and my passion for expression immediately. I had finally found myself. It took me one single, small and possibly very average painting, to realize this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.

It was only when Covid 19 hit in 2020, that I found the courage to finally put my art out there and expose it to the world. Covid was like a wake-up call for me, people all over the world were losing their freedom. I decided to stop waiting for the perfect

moment and finally gave myself a chance.

I found myself painting textured semi abstract landscapes, which in a way, all represented the ocean through different angles.

As hard as I was trying to be original and find new inspiration, I would always come back to the sea.

My inspiration has always come from the natural settings that surround me. I have decided to take the artistic process back to basics, using mostly my hands to paint, and celebrating my connection with my environment.

I build my paintings layering sand and acrylic paint creating landform reliefs, movement and deepness to my compositions. Texture has become the main component of my work.

Art has always been a calming influence in my life, allowing me to disconnect and surrender to the world of imagination. My work translates a certain stillness and tranquillity reflecting my soul when I paint.

Art has always been a calming infl uence in my life.

Skyfall on the southern hemisphere

Above The Surface Hidden Talents

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Above The Clouds

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Alan Porter

Landscape Acrylic on canvas 60x 91cm £140.00

The Entrance Acrylic on canvas 60 x 80cm £130.00

Marooned Small Boats Acrylic on canvas 50cm x 60 cm £55.00

enquires@thearchesproject.org

Rock Pool Acrylic on canvas 60 x 80 cm £105.00 Hidden Talents

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New York New York 26

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I am a British watercolour artist, my aim being to capture the essence of what I see with the bare minimum of information, while retaining the drama and energy which captivates and inspires me.

I don’t paint pretty watercolours, my paintings are large, edgy and dramatic, focusing on tonal values over colour, most, but not necessarily all the time.

I started in the 1980’s but was forced to stop due to chronic illness. I returned to painting years later as a form of therapy and only paint as my health permits.

Long before it had a title I was a pleinair painter setting up my easel outside in all conditions and painting from direct observation. However, restricted to my studio because of the pandemic, I loved that I could produce even larger paintings in the controlled studio environment, with no bad weather or visiting wildlife. It highlighted that for the most part I need to be a studio painter now. Though I am sure there will still be times when I can do some insitu painting.

MY PAINTINGS ARE LARGE, EDGY AND DRAMATIC

Due to Covid19 I felt compelled to paint cities around the world which is an unexpected direction I see my work going in. My other passion being painting water, I love it’s reflections, it’s movement, it’s power. There isn’t much I don’t paint if it inspires and I see the drama in it. I have just won a Certificate of Merit from the American prestigious Light, Time, Space galleries 11th Cityscapes competition and exhibition. I also recently learned I was selected as a Palm Art Award Nominee 2021, and I am chuffed to be included in the second edition AFG Art Freaks Global coffee table book on artists. It is a fantastic start to this year and I am extremely grateful. www.claudiaaraceli.com Ben Hidden Talents

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Rain In The City

Award Winning Painting - Pause 28

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Constance Prince

Title: “2 Bunches” Materials used: Pouring Acrylic & Gemstones Size: 18”x24” Cost: £60 msartprince@gmail.com

AN INSIGHT TO AN ARTIST SOLVING A CREATIVE PROBLEM

By Jasmine Chan

T

oday I would like to reflect on my process of solving a creative problem when it comes to making my art.

Whenever I struggle to find a solution while creating art, I often allow myself to take a break. The answer to these usually comes when I go for a walk. By doing this, it gives me an opportunity to let my mind rest and fall into a meditative state.

Looking at the intricacies of how buildings differ from one another, to being immersed in the wild nature of parks to woods. It is an invigorating experience that helps me feel revitalised. I enjoy the moments when walking in a park to walking around the area where I live. It gives me a sense of appreciation about the world.

At the same time, I enjoy conversing with my friends and classmates. This is because it allows me to exchange and potentially help solve a creative problem. Without them, I am sometimes unable to see the obvious problem or solution. As they say, two heads are better than one. I also help my friends when possible if they need feedback or help with creating their art.

As the day comes to an end, when I go to sleep, sometimes I find the answers in my dreams. It is only when I wake up in the morning that I realise it. I keep a notebook near my bed in case this happens. In the past, when I have neglected these ideas, I come to regret it later that I did not note it down.

Therefore, I find it important to take breaks. While yes, it can sometimes seem like it is wasting time. I find it important to allow my mind to rest when I am truly struggling to find the answer. I do not find it helpful to force or work in a linear process.

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Besides, it is more fun to enjoy the small things in life and the journey towards solving it.

However, there are times when I feel motivated to continue working, so I leave the current problem for a while to work on another art project. While it may seem like I am abandoning the previous one, the reality is that I am just shifting my focus to something else. There are times when I am

‘‘WHEN I GO TO SLEEP, SOMETIMES I FIND THE ANSWERS IN MY DREAMS...’’

working on another project that I end up finding the solution to the previous one’s problem. Other times, I end up with new ideas for future work.

With that all said and done, I would definitely say that there are probably many other methods towards solving a creative problem. Nonetheless, these are some of the options that I find beneficial for me personally. In addition, everyone has their own way of finding answers. There is no right or wrong in that. But I find that I prefer to enjoy the journey towards a solution over getting to the finish line as quickly as possible.

David Irish

David Irish Second cup of coffee Acrylic on paper 42 x 59 cm £85.00 E.mail: irishirish2512@outlook.com

Richard Uff

It gave me great pleasure to meet up and interview Richard Uff at the Arches in Digbeth, Birmingham.

Richard is an aspiring artist who works in a variety of media from large paintings, installations, sculpture and digital artwork, digital being his most current means of production.

After viewing various prints I discovered his work evokes a lightness of spirit, allied to humour and a certain joy of life. Without a doubt the pandemic had impacted on his life, but Richard’s response was clear and unequivocal, seeing it as an opportunity to be creative and art being the central means to cope with the” situation. In 32

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It is something to do and I just do it his own words “it is something to do and I just do it” a very pragmatic approach to art of which he says maintains his sanity in these trying times.

I could not help but consider the idea we should judge people by their actions, not their words and I could see Richard was a man of action rather than agonising about the meaning of life.

Furthermore, he went on to add that he routinely carries his iPad around with him working with it when

opportunities present itself, allowing him to be creative in almost any situation. Richard also sees art as a great prompt, which stimulates and promotes his ideas and thoughts. After several questions, I discovered he was quite good at art at school, while at the same time he insisted, he wasn’t the best in his class, however he entered and won an art competition. Additionally, he was encouraged to get involved in the creative process while suffering a long-term illness as a child, and although after leaving school he didn’t choose a path in art, it later came back to occupy him by attending a part-time Honours Degree

course at Plymouth Art College, which he thoroughly enjoyed, giving him the first opportunity in post-school education.

While we were discussing the merits of art education,

Body, Soul and spirit, he chooses these areas as each one of us are connected to them.

I asked him what the best aspects and the least was desirable of the course.

Swiftly he came back to me without a moment’s hesitation, research I learnt how to research. The disappointing aspect was

the lack of practical skills taught. Considering it was an art course seemed to be in complete contradiction to its nature, after all art is about doing? and thinking with your hands.

As our interview progressed through various topics it became very clear his Christian beliefs play a integral and important role, not only in his life but his art.

Many of his works contain references to Christianity and his three main areas of interest are Body, Soul and Spirit, he chooses these areas as each one of us are connected to them. Again even with these weightier topics Richard addresses them with a light heartedness of spirit, not taking himself too seriously. His other main interest is colour realising that colour can be utilised accordingly, to set a mood or as a means of expression, we finished our conversation by briefly talking about music

and agreeing we must be true to ourselves when being creative. As a final note, a recommendation for a dinner starter one of Richards own creations… Button mushrooms, stuffed with prawns and Boursin cheese, topped with breadcrumbs, then lightly toasted, scrumptious. Enjoy, as I have enjoyed interviewing Richard Uff. Interview by David Irish

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NOW AND BEFORE OF BECOMING A PRINTMAKER

By Roberta Feoli De Lucia This terrible new world condition has reminded the little humans that they are a spit in the firmament. Fortunately, in the chaos of proposals, recalls, old politics and wrong politics, impositions and necessities, Art comes to rescue.

My Printshop, like other places of aggregation and exchange, had to close its doors to the public in presence. But I am firmly convinced that the presses are like the pearls of a necklace.

The jewel if not worn loses its splendour as well as the printing machine, if not used, loses power. Not being able to allow my “creatures” and my art space to slowly fade, I created: #LaStamperiaOnline” An idea born of the cloister during the Italian lockdown that began on March 3, 2020 and ended on April 13, 2020, like many others I was diligently confined to my home, however boredom and repetition were deleterious, and so the idea of #IoStampoACasa was born with a dear friend from my university days.

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We build online meetings between live Facebook and Instagram in which changing the theme every week and we challenged ourselves to invent a printing solution. The sequel had been exceptional, the participants were active and involved and only when it was becoming an obligation and no longer agame we decide to stop. Back to a “vaguely” normal life, I found myself in the large printshop where I work, alone.

I could not let all the knowledge, art and love that have always hovered in the studio float. Thus, was born a series of online appointments created specifically to be followed from home using simple and easily available materials. All with a nod to sustainable and environmentally friendly techniques since the one involved in the participants is the home environment. I have been able and still enter the homes of hundreds of Italian people from the islands to the mountains. I created the facebook group “La Stamperia Online della Scuola Internazionale di Grafica” to offer a digital space in which to exchange advice and show the results of the lessons among enthusiasts’ students. The response was incredible and it is a daily satisfaction. There is so much history to tell, so much contemporary experimentation and new solutions to reveal to this new social public. The lack of physical involvement is compensated by the daily online exchange, the students are followed step by step even after the lesson and remain present in this online community that smells of paper and inks (sustainable!)

I can give vent to my needs as an engraver, teacher and artist thanks to these online platforms and at the same time use the press to show how it works, inking with love the matrices (from metal to milk carton) and clearly this type of novelty is interesting also abroad. I have had requests from various Institutes and Universities to make similar online appointments in English and Spanish.

My journey as an engraver, printer and artist started involuntarily as a child. My grandfather was the founder of the most ancient weekly newspaper of “Sannio”, the area of Benevento from which I come, in Campania. I have always hopped between the printing presses and admired who was using all that thick ink printing the family magazine.

After graduating as an actress and enrolling in the national order of journalists, I started the Academy of Fine Arts in Urbino.

I followed the three-year course in painting, however, noticing only the students of the Art Graphics course getting their hands dirty.

Fascinated I undertook the specialization in engraving and obtained the scholarship for Erasmus at the Facultad de Bellas Artes Alonso Cano in Granada, Spain.

In the Iberian Peninsula I approached the concept of more sustainable engraving for the first time. Less damage for the environment and for the engraver were clearly two excellent reasons for continuing my personal research in this direction.

After graduation I looked for another place to study art printing and so I was admitted to the Scuola Internazioanle di Grafica Venezia which I am now the head of the Stamperia, responsible for Erasmus projects and supporter of courses and research of less toxic techniques. Working side by side with Italian and international artists has led me to encounters who I consider fundamental for my training as Artist and human.

In 2015 Francesca Genna was a guest at Scuola to present perhaps the only text published in Italy completely dedicated to the less-toxic experience. On that occasion I had the opportunity to meet her and compare myself with her, understanding that this was the direction that awaited me. In 2016 the Artist Angelica Mirauda on a visit to Venice nter in my printshop and tell me about the opportunity to discover her world made of and recycled cardboard. Even now milk cartons are some of my favourite matrices.

In 2017 I welcomed Catherine Kernan as an Artist in Residence, a wonderful woman, an unreachable Artist, expert in the use and technique of Akua’s less toxic inks and now a close friend. Thanks to her organization and to the support of Liz Layton Shepherd, another exceptional artist with whom I had worked and who had been president of the “Boston Printmakers”, I was offered the opportunity to visit various print shops and be a guest artist of universities and other related realities. to the Art Print on an incredible trip to the USA in 2018. It was on this incredible occasion that I was able to meet Susan Rostow, the creator and patent owner of the tnkhat have entered my daily life and in the

work time of all my students. Akua ink, less toxic as possible, with incredible colours and washable with water. A masterpiece created by an engraver for engravers. Another great woman and artist also marked my growth, Liz Chalfin, founder of Zea Mays Printmaking, probably the lowest environmental impact printshop I have ever seen. I was able to study with her and bring the first diploma in sustainable techniques to Italy. I am currently the only Italian engraver to have this recognition.

Finally, Pd Packard is the heroine of the colour that everyone should know. Artist superfina she was Artist in Residence at the School in 2019 and she revealed to me an infinity of tricks regarding Akua pigments this time.These women are the base of the woman that I am today at an artistic level and above all for my being entangled in the wonders and justice of respect oneself and the Art that we pass on.

It is clear in my mind that to become a Printmaker you have to find in your life Masters, figures that push you to continue and find what really seems to make sense.

They are not close; they are rarely on your university and studies path and often there is no need to chase them. They meet a glance, exchange a word and with those little things they have already created a bond. You must be ready to perceive the opportunity. My research continues and my desire to tell and spread what I learn in the less toxic and more respectful art print. This strange 2021 has already brought me great satisfaction as an artist and printmaker.

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Hidden Talents

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Filip Letinu My journey in fine arts started from childhood, both my older sisters studied arts which meant that I always had everything I needed to draw. I studied architecture in college and continued to University of which allowed me to further the exploration of my creativity.

When it comes to inspiration, I don’t have wellestablished criteria as the domains in which I activate are quite different, but usually it comes from nature, people and certain jokes I hear or read. Meanwhile I have been collaborating with a few publicity agencies and everything seemed to be following naturally from there.

I lead a very active life so the Pandemic allowed me rest and focus on other activities.

I have adopted a dog which I’ve tried training but this didn’t go as planned so I decided to have it adopted by a neighbour . I then decided to have a pregnant cat and now I currently have two beautifully kittens and one cat. One of my favourite projects that I have been working on is called Wire Frame. I am basically making sculptures using , recycled materials, which I later converts to floating lightning sources. I am still looking for places to have my work exposed.

I have recently launched an adult only colouring book and I am hoping to launch a few other editions in the near future. On the ending of lock 36

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down I will be planning an indoor street art exhibition with street art installations and furniture. In regards to the future, saving the world is my biggest second plan.

Another project I have worked on is called “Undercover cops’’. I live in the central area of Bucharest and due to the way I dress (baggy hoodies) I often tend to get stopped by Romanian police officers and searched.

Apparently people wearing hoodies are more prone to illegal acts according

to them and since I fit the description, I too am prone of abuse. Eventually this practice started bothering me and since I am an artist, I found it natural to express my frustration with an art project.

Considering my street art background, my knowledge in sculpture and urbanism, I would love to inspire the new generations and help them make the difference between street art and vandalism.

Getting back to my “Wire Frame “project, I have been working on it for the last 2

years. The idea is a rather simple one: creating floating lighting works of art by using industrial materials. One of the sculptures I have made for this project is a floating whale. I have played with the antithesis between water and air, light and heavy to obtain the floating effect of a relatively heavy object. I see this as overcoming a predefined condition.

In the past I have painted bicycles with the creative people of “Designer Pegas”.

I have basically customized a series of bikes from the “Pegas” collection using graphics. My latest work involves a humanitarian project, and I have designed the cover for the Romanian magazine “Bizz”. The cover illustrates the Romanian movie “Copacul Dorintelor: Amintiri din copilarie’’ which

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tells the story of a young girl that escapes from the suffering caused by cancer through an imaginary journey.

When you are next in central Bucharest my work can be seen all over so why not pop into “Garden of Eden pub” the “M60” terrace or visit the graphic exhibitions in “Miss Ale – Central Culture” café. Meanwhile I have been collaborating with a few publicity agencies and everything seemed to be following naturally from there.

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Sichoff Michael

Love Vow

Miracle Will Be Soon Hidden Talents

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Alice Godfrey

My main introduction into the art world was studying Fine Art A level at Havant College between 2013 and 2015. During this course, my teacher encouraged me to experiment with a range of materials and subjects, I settled on oil paint as my preferred medium due its pliability and have stuck with it ever since. The 2 main subjects I experimented with in my final year were flowers and glass. I enjoyed painting glass, but I found painting flowers much more uplifting. I’ve always found so much beauty in nature and am drawn to the depth of colour and capturing the vibrancy of plants and flowers.

At the end of the course my 2 A0 sized final pieces were displayed at an exhibition held by Havant college for all art A level students at a Langstone Technology Park. As a result, these 40

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2 pieces were chosen to be displayed in the canteen at the business park for a year.

Since then, painting took a backseat in my life after I made the decision to follow a career in marketing after getting a Business Studies degree. However, 5 years on from college, while having a break in my career and with lockdown limiting distractions, I had more time to dedicate to picking up painting again. Other than trying my hand at a few pet portraits for friends over the years, my first piece was a A4 painting of an Orchid, inspired by a flower gifted to me from my Nan.

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Susan Fownes

The Art of Kindness In troubled times, collaboration is key to community life and to our wellbeing.

Understanding the nature of humanity and solidarity in creativity enable our intrinsic abilities to survive and thrive gracefully.

Colour Crafting and kindness are the key ingredients of the Maddalena Women’s Crafting Group. Founded in 2020 by three women, this creative collective encourages engagement and the sharing of traditional skills in order to empower the lives of members and help improve the lives of others locally and globally through art, crafts & kindness.

The creative project encourages the therapy of colour, texture and the art of pattern for healthy brain function (* foto the fairisle patterns in knitting projects by Clelia Boscolo) and the up-cycling and repurposing of materials. (foto * the stunning shawls made by Textile Artist and Designer Brenda Marshall) Founding member Naima Iqbal expresses 42

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her creativity in a variety of ways from designing and making hats, shawls and blankets to organising collaborative colourful creative installations. (*foto) Local parks are enlivened, and members engage in outdoor activity, embracing their environment and celebrating communal space. Over the forthcoming spring months, the members of the Maddalena Women’s Crafting Group will devote their time and effort to supplying several Ugandan orphanages with food, hand-made clothing and learning and art materials.

A small act of kindness may make all the difference to some of Earth’s most impoverished children, allowing them to benefit from the nourishment provided by food and the opportunity to learn.

For further information you will find the Maddalena Women’s Crafting Group on Facebook.

The Art in Nature may influence our Holistic health in a myriad of ways.

Pacha ~ The Power of Flower; presents the Dandelion (taraxacum officinale).

Symbolic of healing sunshine the bright pompoms of the dandelion manifest the joy as we embrace Spring and the sun begins to warm the Earth. All parts of the plant may be used and particularly the flower.

Helpful as an infused pure water (tea) for the body and a tonic for the skin and scalp The plant is cleansing of the liver and offers anti inflammatory properties and vital nutrients and antioxidants of A,C,K,E (and some of the B group alongside Folic acid.) The natural gentle but strong antibacterial properties of the flower make it a beautiful ingredient for artisan preparations for the skin,scalp and hair.

Pacha teaches conservation of our health and that of our Earth through inviting the power of the flower to be a part of our daily

ritual of natural care for our bodies,ourselves.

Embracing our spiritual innate connection to water and the medicinal garden of our Mother Pacha is bee friendly and zero waste .Cruelty is unnecessary and kindness is abundant.

Dandelions are understated when called a weed. The dandelion plant offers,amongst other vital fine nutrients ; Iron,Calcium,Magn esium,Potassium and Silica. Very importantly Bees absolutely love them !

The Pacha Puro conservation project may be found on Facebook where membership details may be found to learn how to make traditional Andaluz hygiene and bespoke beauty preparations in your kitchen and sourcing from your garden and surrounds Prepartions are also available from the Arches Gallery.

Visit Pacha House at friends institute on facebook.

Tel: 07851798741 Hidden Talents

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Pacha Recipe Natural Effective Hand Sanitiser. Cleansing and soothing for soft & gentle hands.

Take a handful of fresh dandelions flowers ...(make sure any creatures have time to find new homes ) Warm 200ml of pure rose water and leave the flowers to steep overnight.

Strain and bottle in a spray for hygiene on the go.

PachaVitE pure botanical glycerine to add to your recipe for extra hygiene and conditioning of skin,scalp and hair.

Credit: Natalia Luchanko from Unsplash

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Uzmah Naz

Handpainted silk scarves £60 Coloursforyou@aol.com

‘‘Never let it be said that to dream is a waste of ones time.

For dreams are our realities in waiting. In dreams we plant the seeds of our future’’