29/10/2008 by James.

As part of the Making History themed residency at Salisbury Museum I worked with a group of young people volunteering for the BTCV, to begin to create a sculpture from natural and recycled materials in the Museum grounds.
The sculpture will be added to throughout this week by visitors to the museum, taking inspiration from the ‘Making History’ exhibits and the surrounding architecture of the cathedral close.

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29/10/2008 by James.

A cold but sunny day working with the public in Salisbury Market Square on the first day of a week-long residency with Salisbury and South Wiltshire Museum, encouraging local people and visitors to look again at their surroundings and use a range of materials and mark-making to record their experiences, or imagery from their imaginations, on paper.

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23/10/2008 by James.

If you have any thoughts on the role of art in encouraging environmental awareness, on my work in particular, or want to share something related with the other readers of the blog, please add a comment below any of the postings… just click where it currently says ‘no comments’ and add yours there.
Thanks, James.

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23/10/2008 by James.

Another morning of creative play with the reception classes and their parents, this time supporting the children to explore the textures and patterns found on natural objects through making clay impressions and plaster casts.

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23/10/2008 by James.

A lovely bright Autumn morning spent with reception age children, exploring the local environment and recording what they found with mark-making, photographs, rubbings and found materials.

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21/10/2008 by James.

I have a bit of a thing for Buzzards…. our commonest bird of prey they may be, but they are beautiful, powerful, and when they call from inside the woods, or soar on the thermals over my garden, I feel privileged, like they have shown themselves to reassure me of the ever-present beauty and power of nature, even in an over-developed country like England.

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06/10/2008 by James.

I’ve been reading and following the tasks set by a book called ‘The Artists Way’ over the last 7 weeks or so, and its been a v. interesting and somewhat emotional experience!

The book takes you back through to the origins of your interest in ‘art’ and through the different creative and emotional blocks which stop you from reaching your potential in life, stemming from your education, upbringing etc.

Although I have been practicing as an artist for around 10 or 11 years, I haven’t always found it easy to maintain the balance between building a career in the participatory arts, and finding the time, energy and inspiration to be playful and creative in my own work.

At the moment I am choosing to take time to walk, and take photos but also to draw and paint … ‘reclaiming’ parts of myself that I’ve ignored for a while, after focusing on sculpture and participatory work during and since college.

Its great to be playing, exploring and discovering where I want to be going next with my own artwork; fusing together the artist and naturalist, the ‘jobs’ that I felt I had to choose between when I left school.

Have a look if you fancy going on a bit of a journey… ‘The Artists Way’ by Julia Cameron.