Experiencing awe and cultivating empathy....
I
wonder if this is why I need to go and see the sun set, to experience awe. Is this a basic need of mine?
Luckily, the sunsets
here in Whitstable are stunning, we have a clear view across the sea,
with the Isle of Sheppey becoming a wonderful landmark, that can be
used to chart the suns movement through the changing seasons. As we
approach the longest day, the sun moves across to the east of the
island and sets impressively in the sea, its
reflections
enhancing the experience.
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| Sunset over Whitstable. |
One
of my favourite experiences during the summer months is to swim in
the sea, towards the sunset. Even with my eyes closed I can see an
orange glow and follow the trail of the reflected sun as it swooshes
up and down in the waves. I have tried to capture this feeling of
immersion, in the seawater and in the glow of the sunset by producing
a dry-point print, titled 'Immersion'.
 |
| I have added text to accompany my images in the book. |
This
image is one of many artworks I have chosen to put into a small book,
named 'People to Place- Reflections and Reminders', along with
minimal but well thought out text, I hope to remind others of the
simple joys of making time to go out, observe and be in the moment,
connecting to the wonder of the natural world.
 |
| Find joy in the simple pleasures of life. |
So,
with another open studio date coming up soon, I
have been busy printing a couple more books, using the fabulous
Risograph machine at Intra studios in Rochester. This
machine, about the same size of a large photocopier is a mechanical
wonder. Simply put it can be seen as a mechanised screen-printing
process. I make the original artwork, it then thermally cuts the
'master' stencils that are wrapped around the ink cylinders, then I
press the button and I can choose any number of copies from 1 to
1000!
 |
| Risoprint machine in action. |
I
love the fact that there are many great colours of inks to choose
from (and eco-friendly soy water based too). There is a wonderful
'flat gold', a deep indigo blue, my favourite Teal and about 6 more
that can be used either separately or overprinted
to create so many more colours. The machine can take A3 photocopier
paper and thicker card so I have been able to produce many hardback
covers for my books using the same process.
 |
| Printed covers drying on the rack. |
Recently
I tracked down Rob Hopkins, co- founder of the Transition Network, a
positive global movement based in Permaculture. He is studying the
power of imagination and regularly
writes a blog about this subject.
Recently he wrote a blog in which
he interviews Tony Whitehead of the RSPB, who during the spring
months takes people out to listen to the birds dawn chorus. The
interview looks at the subject of awe, which Rob had been
researching. He asks Tony, 'I was reading some research recently
about awe, which talked about how there's something about when people
experience awe, that their brains work in a particular way that is
really powerful for cultivating empathy. Maybe that's part of what
you're saying people experience?
TW;
'And beauty as well....But I think awe comes into the simple every
day experiences such as listening to blackbird song. And it starts at
that point. That simple point of beauty and contact and everything
else really devolves from that in terms of relationship. And I think
people are more willing to act and advocate on behalf of wildlife and
nature if they have that original experience of awe or the sublime or
just that connection. Just that connection.'
 |
| 'Immersion' image and text. |
So
my little books have a big message to spread. Which is go outside,
connect with nature and enjoy the awesome natural phenomenons that we
are gifted with on a regular basis.
So...
'Go outside everyday, into nature and feed your soul.'
My
next open studio event will be soon, on Saturday the 16th
of June. It will show the new progression on from my current art
project 'Hearth and
Home'.
The
exhibition
is open to all from 11-5pm in my straw-bale studio.
The studio has a Facebook page of its
own, to look at its 'life story', look up
www.facebook.com/Green-Build-Tankerton
10% of all sales of this 'Hearth
and Home' artwork will go to our local homeless charity in
Canterbury, 'Porchlight'.
I love to teach others and facilitate
space for them to create, so I run art and design workshops
throughout the year. These can be either 1:1 or for a small group
and I charge from £15 per hour.
The next ones for the exciting and
accessible art of Gelli-printing are on most Wednesdays and Fridays.
throughout May and June. They run 11-2pm and cost £40 pp including
all materials and refreshments.
My
own personal art page can be found at
www.facebook.com/RoseClarityArtist I
can be contacted
on 07432679164 or clare@people-to-place.co.uk
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