What If…

Some months ago Bryan posted a blog titled In Praise of the Happy Accident where he spoke about the possibility of incorporating the unexpected into your art practice. Having recently returned from annual leave I was catching up on what has been discussed on student forums and was delighted to come across Textile student; Lottie’s thread ‘What If..’
….we created something with ground and medium today purely for the fun of it. 
What if we challenged inspiration to bite us on the bottom so we leap immediately into action. What crazy thing would you do just for the sheer energy and moment-of-being-alive-ness of it?
Introducing ‘Progress of the Cat’

Inspired to take part fellow students embarked on creative spontaneity, Delia headed outside with whatever was to hand at the time and created a piece called ‘seven thirty one’ quickly followed by a second piece called ‘seven twenty five to seven thirty five’.

I asked Lottie why she decided to start the thread; “It was a culmination of factors. I had been trying to find my way out of a debilitating drawing block and needed to get back to that place where making art is unself-conscious. The cat has a lot to be credited for initiating the activity my end. My fellow course mates and I are trying to make the forums work for us: a place for questioning, encouragement, challenge, inspiration and most importantly a community.

I suppose the act of putting it on the forum was to share some of the fun that had helped me out of a tight spot in the hope it might encourage others too. We’ve all made our own brave decisions to get on this course in the first place, we all have our own stories, perhaps this thread can be witness to our courage and creativity?!”
Following their lead Annette grabbed some pages from an old sewing book, some acetate pens and a recently deceased pomegranate. Another energetic drawing was produced in four minutes.

“I believe that our motto should be ‘Do More Art’ so when Lottie posted up her playful challenge I responded with some very quick sketches. Being inspired to do something quickly with unusual or unlikely materials was fun so well done to Charlotte for pushing us in to action. And it was fun. “
After reading the post Julie wanted to spring into action, confined to a bedroom while her daughter slept she looked for alternative materials and using everyone’s favourites; chocolate and tea made the piece ‘9.12’. Eager to do another she thought “What would my daughter do?” and took two of her sharpies together to make a quick gestural drawing of the sleeping child, titled ‘9.40’.

Julie says; “I responded to Lottie’s ‘What if…’ thread as it resonated with my own search for ways to develop spontaneity of response and with my determination to keep the focus on creativity and fun.  Being at an early stage of my course, an exercise like this was a quick, no-pressure way to explore the creative urge and to share a fun moment with my co-students.”
Seizing the moment Edith produced ‘Echoes from a Breakfast Table’. “Mine is a spontaneous reaction to Julie’s since I truly believe in happy accidents and I think I might just use it in a sketchbook context.” 
I take my hat off to all these students who have been brave enough to get involved, and especially to Lottie for getting the ball rolling. Fun is important so loosen up, experiment and make a mess!

To get in on the action visit the student site here

Joanne Mulvihill-Allen. Course Support Adviser.