Variations of surface intensity – work in progress
Author: Jo Howe
Artist
Getting back to it.
Gosh, hasn’t it been a while!
For various reasons, most of which has been way beyond my control, I have had to step back from my practice and tend to other activities.
Well, light is glimpsing at the end of that particular tunnel, and although I may not be able to return to full power just yet, I have actually made it back into the studio! Hoorah!
So, then of course the first thought was, ermmmm?
I always find it interesting trying to get back into things after a break (and bloody frustrating as well), so, I returned to the old favourite by revisiting the doodle. It always intrigues me where this process takes me, and that I still battle the desire to chastise myself for ‘wasting valuable studio time’.
However, yet again, I have become aware of the importance of making marks, loosening up and just generally allowing the mind to wander unhindered by the pressure of achieving specific outcomes. I am firmly convinced that if you give the mind time untethered, interesting things usually start to happen.
What I find most intriguing about this process, is my need for bold colours. Seems quite distant from my book work. I’m sure there is a very good reason… it just hasn’t surfaced for me yet.
Ah, well… trust in the process.
Overlay
Glorious intentions
Brown / Pink sketch
Text sketch
Water / pen sketch Jo Howe
Hear me sketch
Water / pen sketch Jo Howe
Purple marks sketch Jo Howe
Books sketch
Gallery update!
Pages turned in Norwich – a review of Turn the Page 2013
Well, what a great time in Norwich, and what a great place.
I-Baii-Tit-Tat
Internal dialogue
I Bait Tit Tat
I Bait Tit Tat
A delicate subject
Untitled
Can you hear me now? – Photography by Roger Dorey
I have returned from my Turn the Page experience, a book artists heaven. On offer, a plethora of amazing books in all their glorious forms for reading, viewing, engaging and interacting as well as poetry readings, storytelling and demonstrations.
I felt really privileged to have been selected to show here in the Forum, in the heart of Norwich, alongside such talented creatives.
This was the first time I had ever contemplated an art fair. It was a really useful experience, remaining connected to the work, rather than just dropping off and collecting it after an exhibition. I found it fascinating discussing my work with visitors, sometimes finding I was justifying the works existence, sometimes just delighting in the visitors engagement and reading of what was on offer. All interactions I found so useful for so many different reasons.
I was supremely humbled by one particular visitors response to one of my pieces, Internal Dialogue. Moved almost to tears, his engagement and reading of the work reminded me that art can result in pure unexpected emotions for the receiver. I have always believed in what I produce and if I didn’t, then for me it would not be worth doing at all.
I was also so fortunate to meet some really talented artists and delight in their work. Particular highlights for me were, Theresa Easton, Emma Lloyd, Nicola Dale, Jen Fox, Kate Marsden, Catherine Laura Ward and Lucy Baxandall.
Feel inspired… try this, the Summer Reads Book Art Competition
Look out for Turn the Page 2014… I feel sure it will again be an event not to be missed!
Alex McIntyre – Works On Paper Exhibition at Espacio Gallery, London
Alex McIntyre will exhibit in ‘Works on Paper’ at The Espacio Gallery, Shoreditch from 9th – 21st May.
An Exhibition that examines and celebrates the role of paper in art: 100 artworks from over 30 artists.
Private View: Thurs 9th May 6-9pm
Address: 159 Bethnal Green Road, E2 7DG London.
www.flickr.com/photos/freepaintersandsculptors
This will be worth a visit, especially to see the work of Alex McIntyre and her gestural mark making.
reblogged from digswellartstrust.com
Jo Howe Exhibiting at ‘Turn the Page Artists Book Fair’ in Norwich 3rd and 4th May
Very excited to be part of this event. Looks like it will be a great couple of days! So, If you are near Norwich come on in and say hi.
Clever!
I love this work. The possibilities for immersive engagement within the Special Educational Needs sector are massive. I am just starting to look at immersive interactive solutions to enable alternative forms of expression and communication. I am experimenting with the Kinect linked to a PC, and playing with the open source software, Processing. There are some wonderfully creative and intelligent people out there doing amazing things with this set up. Go look here! They have inspired me to revisit some old research ideas and explore this path. If only I could run before I could walk! Still I have managed to find the on switch, it’s a start!
Webcam Piano 2.0 Teaser from Memo Akten on Vimeo.
Serendipitous cock ups!
I have been rather fortunate in that my scalpel rarely strays from the intended path. Yet of course occasionally it wanders, slicing as it goes (fortunately all skin is intact!). This latest deviation from the path was really quite delightful. Ok, so let’s be honest here. That wasn’t my first thought. I am just being polite not to share the first word that popped into my head at the time, especially, as is so often the case, when you are nearing the end of a piece, this tends to happen. But yes, serendipitously delightful. The section that I originally wanted to retain in the work and now forcibly abandoned happened to be the words ‘Wisdom and life’.
I’m sure there is a lesson in this somewhere!
I was paying attention… honest!
Like many artists, I have to supplement my income with other employment to keep the wolf from the door. Apart from my creative facilitation, I am also a coach driver. This is something I have done for years, and actually, I still enjoy the need to be up with the lark first thing in the morning (hmm, what time do larks arise I wonder?) and that I have but a couple of hours of the day that this particular role fills leaving me free to pursue my other more creative activities. The down side of this, is that due to recent legislation, I am required, along with every other UK driver, to complete further training (above and beyond my PCV license), in order to maintain this position. Now, I’m always open to learn new things. Alas the course we have to complete is generic in form for various transportation workers and as long as we attend 35 hours training by an approved trainer, no matter if it is repeated modules, then we get the green light.
Well, I have just finished two days that about 35% of the content was directly related to Coaching (the same module repeated), there was a long discussion about temperature of fish transportation be they living or dead and the fact that pineapples should NEVER be stored with avocados… Oh, and lets not even go there with green onions, they really are the bad boys! None the less, I wanted to find a way of staying engaged, so I doodled! I did have a discussion with the trainer beforehand about scientific study concerning increased attention levels and doodling, but I’m not sure if he was convinced. I was of course worried that it might be perceived as being rude, hence this discussion, and felt sure he was testing out this theory by asking me a great deal of questions (not necessarily acknowledging the answers), and leaving others in the room to sleep! I am glad to report, I answered all questions correctly and completed the quizzes at the end of the sessions without difficulty.
I must say, these trainers are working a particularly difficult crowd, drivers, owners, transport managers and mechanics who simply do not value the course purpose… and then they get me, some strange artist/coach driver who wants to engage in a left field discussion about psychological theory of doodling!
So, here we have evidence of my last training day this year, 7 hours well spent?
Li Hongbo
Oh my goodness, quite incredible!
Li Hongbo – Pure White Paper from Dominik Mersch Gallery on Vimeo.
Jo Howe-Artist 
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