Bored of the inspiration board…

It was time for a change. My studio inspiration board had gotten very cluttered, very colourful, very chaotic…full of images, colours, words, photos, and kids art. It was busy and bright and bold. But mostly busy!

But instead of feeling inspired, I started to feel cluttered and crowded. I wanted space to think. I wanted less, not more. So I took it all down, without thinking or reviewing, or analysing any particular item. I put them in a suitcase with my other papers.  Then I put back up six items. Not six on purpose, just because these six images felt right for right now.

None of the images on the board are mine. One is a beloved print brought in Wellington a few years back that had been rolled up in a drawer  – a watercolour sketch of a hummingbird. Another is a postcard of Paris – both for my dreams to go there one day, and also because it was from a dear friend. Another image is a magazine advertisement image that I like. The final blue image is a photo of the sea found in yet another magazine. The blues are intoxicating beautiful and a reminder of the inherent beauty in nature and beaches.

My “Start Something” paper mantra returned to the wall (as always) and finally, I added the brochure from the “One” exhibition – held in 2013, as a reminder of my past achievements and future plans.

When I look at the wall, I feel optimistic and calm and I can hear myself think. Right now, I like that.

Sometimes inspiration boards need a little inspiration too!

The changing city skyline and lego bricks…

I watched this group of older school boys…they were completely engrossed in building a city skyline entirely from white Lego bricks –  it was part of an interactive public display at the Auckland City Art Gallery recently. The structures that had been created by others so far were striking in their elegance, complexity and intricacy creating a fantasy city skyline of magical, wonderful, imaginary towering structures. It was also temporary, as each structure could be dismantled or added to by the next person and turned into something new and different, always changing and evolving – an interesting way to consider a city…

 

Reflecting on the new and shiny….

It is certainly going to be interesting!

Reflections of the church buildings across the road… as seen on the first of many stainless steel curving panels forming the exterior of our new contemporary art gallery and Len Lye centre. It’s currently under construction in our city centre – not without controversy I might add.

Will it last? Will it stay shiny? Will it rust in our sea and salt laden air? Will it blind drivers and pedestrians? Will it get too hot? What will our high rainfall do to it over time? Who knows…certainly not me….but who cannot fall in love with the idea of a unique, original, elegant building? I personally cannot wait to see how it looks finished. There is a place in cities for protecting heritage and old buildings and there is also a place for new and innovative approaches and fresh, risk taking ideas…the best cities celebrate both!

 

I’m back!

I know it’s mid february and its been a while since you heard from me…Forgive me for an absence, I needed a break to regroup, focus, and re-energise as I felt I was in a bit of a rut creatively speaking! (I also got married and the princess started school – so it’s been a time of lots of change for me). You will see a few little tweaks on this blogsite – a fresh new banner image for 2015. Let me know what you think.

The Black Box Art Studio facebook site is also back up after a break…please join us there for more informal news and updates and sharing of information/ideas/thoughts….It’s agreat forum for sharing comments and suggestions. You can find it on the right side of the blog page.

I am also busy working on a website which will be operational soon as well. So, it’s very exciting times and I thank you for hanging in there with me…Without your support, Black Box Art Studio (Blog, Face Book and website) would not be here and I would not be as motivated by you all to be creative and inspired.

So, I am back with some new images, plans and inspiration. Here is a photo of the back of a building I saw recently. I have been spending lots of time in different cities recently. I loved how someone had, for an unknown reason, painted one huge corner portion of the building in a bright yellow. it contrasted so well with the gritty brick and industrial window and graffiti.

Taking the mystery route….

To the right of this path, if you were to glance to the right, is a large concrete pathway and beyond that is the blue, blue sea. But you don’t really notice these, as the large coastal trees and the winding leaf-strewn path through them distracts your attention away from the sea and into the forest of branches, greenery and birdsong. The path leading beyond where you can see, so you keep walking (or scootering!) to see what lies beyond the next corner…a mystery loved by young and old alike..

Loft style living?

 

It could be a New York loft or a post- industrial/commercial style apartment in a European city, with a view looking out over the city. But its not, its here in New Plymouth. It’s a Ballet and Pilates studio I know well. It has the most amazing light, glorious, stunning old wooden floors and I love the view through the trees into our small city street scene….it is a special place. 

Strolling on a sunday…

It rained most of the weekend, but with a break in the weather on sunday afternoon, it was time for a walk along the coastal walkway and stretch the legs. The view never fails to make me feel inspired and refreshed.

 

 

Mid winter beach walk….

It was time to get out. A long beach walk in the middle of winter seemed sensible. So that is what we did…we gathered up four kids who had spent all morning staring at various screens, two soccer balls, one camera and headed out into the brisk winter air for an afternoon at a beach not far from our home.

We had a great game of beach football, we walked and walked, had running races, jumped streams, collected shells, wrote our names in the sand, one even played in the water (even in July!). Two of us carried shoes, jackets, shirts and the collected shells. After hours on the beach, we were all a bit cold, a bit tired, but happy, laughing and sandy as we headed home.

I felt recharged and reconnected and really alive.  The fog has started to clear and as it did, I saw the most beautiful view right there in front of me. A sign, I think.

 

Storm clouds gathering…

 

There was a low, dense fog rolling into the valleys and a few chimneys on the hills in the distance, and nearby, curling out a trail of grey smoke. I imagine people stoked their fire places to warm up and dry out after three solid days of rain. Everything is drenched and it is cold, but it also looks so sparkly and clean after such a deluge.  The storm clouds continued to gather on the horizon at dusk. All combined, it was a magical scene, for a fleeting moment before darkness.

 

Not yet, but….

 

Sometimes a photo has to wait until the right moment. This one has sat quite a while, neglected and forgotten. By chance I came across it today and immediately liked the old, highly decorative and symmetrical church building contrasted nicely with the modern green spiky plant and the shot of deep blue in the foreground – a fence?  What for I wonder….