Blog Archive

Friday, July 13, 2012

old friends

work space

old friends






































So nice to get back to my old friends again. All that spinefex out in the desert and I didn't bring any back. Could have made a different sort of brush or done some weaving. The indigenous baskets and string were so inspirational. But most of all I loved the grass shining and moving  in the sun like golden threads (but dangerously spikey to touch on kneel on,it took me ages to get rid of the spikes in my trousers.) Must try to catch the memory of it in some drawings- the grass not the trousers.
 My old home-made brushes are so useful in making marks in a very loose and slightly unpredictable way - I just love them..






















Here's a close up of my friends. One of them, from a pandanus palm, was made for me by a student at Griffith University as part of the "Investigative Drawing" elective I was doing with them a few years ago. The other I've made here at home from the garden. I suppose you're wondering how on earth I can get any work done on a desk as cluttered as this.Although it may not look like it, it's quite organised chaos and I'm much more comfortable with it than a tidy work place.

9 comments:

ersimarina said...

Great to meet your friends. Wish I could use them! (Does that sound too manipulative?) A tidy workspace usually scares all creativity out of me, I love chaos.

Amanda said...

Those brushes look wonderful! I must try that myself. Your post reminds me of my own little space waiting back home...my fingers are itching to get back to work/play.

rObfOs said...

Are you sure that's a photo of your desk Jack? Looks an awful lot like mine! (although I don't have your little friends lying around on mine - looks like they need to get back to work and stop lazing around).

Helen M said...

I love those home made brushes Jack, and their potential for interesting mark-making. Works of art!

Judith Hoffman said...

Great post Jack. I love your handmade brushes, and the mess on your desk. There is a rhythm to the mess for me - it accumulates for months, then suddenly I want it neater. Never totally neat though. Keep up the good work. You are so inspiring.

Seth said...

Those brushes are amazing to look at and I am sure to use!!

Jacobus (Jack) Oudyn said...

Thank you friends for you comments- my other hairy friends are going flat out at the moment and I'm not sure how long they'll last. There's always more out in the garden although a trip out for some pandanus would be even better.

Fiona Dempster said...

Hi Jack - we are kindred desk spirits as well! I love the way there is a clearing and then everything else is within an arm's-grab. Those brushes are rule wonderful - and i am not a brush-girl. Go well!

JackiArchibaldartjourney said...

We're old teaching-Capalaba ?friends Jacki Archibald ( maiden name Sherwin) Love your work & keep in touch