I finished a first edit of the Winter Series video yesterday, so for those of you who haven’t yet heard the music that inspired the paintings, here it is!
Winter Series video – music and images
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Monthly Archives: November 2017
Winter Series preview
The Winter Series preview evening was wonderful – convivial, atmospheric, and I couldn’t have wished for more interesting and engaged attendees! There were many familiar faces and quite a few new. For my small studio space thirty people was quite a crowd, but it worked, so I’ll definitely be holding more of these.
Six of the series have now sold, so if you’re interested in buying you can see which are still available Here.
In a few days I’ll post the video of images and accompanying music so people can see the inspiration behind the paintings.
Also, see ‘About the Winter Series’ below for more info about inspiration behind the project and the images that inspired Atzi’s music compositions.
Because we wanted to keep the lighting atmospheric – just firelight, candles and few hidden lights, conditions for photos and films weren’t ideal. Also, so that people knew which painting the music corresponded to, I showed each painting on a computer screen while Atzi played. This meant my hands were busy with a remote clicker and I wasn’t free to take photos, but I’ve included a couple of blurry photos above and below to give an idea…
A huge thank you to everyone who showed up, what a lovely crowd and an enjoyable evening, I’ll be holding similar events every few months and look forward to those!
The open days continue until the 3rd Dec’. 12:30 to 6:30pm daily. All info on ‘Open Studio Events’ on menu at the top.
About the Winter Series …
Cello Atzi Muramatsu. Paintings Rose Strang.
The idea behind this collaboration was simple; twelve pieces of music inspired by winter, composed by Atzi Muramatsu, to which I’d respond with twelve paintings inspired by Atzi’s music.
We decided it would be more interesting if I had no knowledge of the specific ideas or images behind Atzi’s music, other than the theme of winter, which he’d reveal at the end (more on that below).
As we began to work on the series it proved to be a challenge – we’ve collaborated since 2013 but usually Atzi improvises music in response to my paintings, or we respond separately to a shared theme, so this was a new way of working.
Creating twelve completely new music compositions, then editing them down to two minutes each was quite an undertaking and commitment for Atzi, who was already working a full-time schedule. I found the series challenging because each piece of music is distinct, so I felt each painting had to be a new subject (usually I create variations on a visual theme). I could have made life easy by creating simple, quick sketches in response, but I wanted to immerse myself in the music and paintings, and hopefully create something quite different.
It was only towards the end, when I was putting the finishing touches on the last painting, and Atzi was making final tweaks on his music, that I began to see a story emerge in the paintings. Subjects in the paintings repeated – ice and snow of course but also home, fireplaces, storms, sun, moon, constellations and ships at sea. The images seemed archetypal.
Some years ago I took part in writing groups, where we learned about ‘The Hero’s Journey’ – the idea of twelve stages which, if applied to a story, lend it a form or drama we all recognise and respond to. At the time I was resistant to such a formulaic approach! But it chimed with my feeling about the paintings – the idea of a mysterious story behind the series. While some of Atzi’s music pieces felt formal or purely physical in inspiration – icy, stacatto, cold and spacious for example, others had a sense of drama, impetus and emotion.
I mentioned this to Atzi, who revealed that his source of inspiration had in fact been the forms of snowflakes observed under a microscope. Every snowflake has a unique crystal structure – he described how some appeared ugly or threatening, some like beautiful ice palaces, others reminscent of human forms. But although this was Atzi’s starting point, inspiration from his own life began to inform the evocative emotions, mood and atmosphere of each piece.
Although I’ve responded directly to each music piece, there’s no right or wrong way to ‘read’ the paintings, music, or both combined, I hope they’ll spark the imagination and emotions of listeners and viewers. Winter has traditionally been a time for storytelling around the fire to while away long dark evenings, so it feels right to show our work in a house rather than formal gallery, around an open fire with mulled wine.
Websites and contacts
Rose Strang https://rosestrangartworks.wordpress.com/ Email: rose.strang@gmail.com
Atzi Muramatsu Website http://www.atzi.co.uk/ Email: info@atzi.co.uk
Winter Series – completed!
‘Winter 11. Baroque’. Mixed media on 10×10″ wood panel. £150
Above – the last painting for the Winter Series, which launches this Saturday with the Private view, followed by open studio days from Sunday 26th November to 3rd December.
All details – dates/times/map/contacts – Here
All of the paintings are now viewable in ‘Artworks’ from the menu above. Sombre Constellations has sold, ‘Red Velvet Dancing’ has a few buyers interested but none confirmed as yet, so do email if you have any enquiries about the paintings, at rose.strang@gmail.com
It’s so satisfying (and a relief I must say!) to have finished this series. I saved the painting above, which features Atzi playing cello, last because it was in a way the most straightforward painting of the series.
It’s called ‘Baroque’ which was a very literal title and response to the piece of music by Atzi, which was very … Baroque! So in keeping with the theme, I decided to follow a traditional painting process that would have been followed by painters of the 17th century.
Some photos below for those interested in process and techniques…
I was looking at Vermeer in particular, and while I’m not using oil paints, or the mediums he would have used, I can at least use a similar process of a painted sketch onto neutral ground, building up the painting in tones, then applying glazes of translucent colour.
I finished with some impasto highlights (when paint is applied thickly so it stands up from the surface as oppsed to being flat).
I’d need a lifetime to paint like Vermeer, obviously! But still, I found the process interesting. I lack the patience for that amount of detail though, you can see my paint application on the Turkish carpet was quite sloppy! I focussed more on Atzi’s features and facial expression (very tricky) and the cello.
Lastly here’s one of Vermeer’s paintings The Music Lesson, and a detail …
Winter Series – post 7
Today’s paintings – ‘Home, Moonlight’ and ‘Skating’, for the Winter Series. Exhibition opens in just five days – all info Here
I’m almost there with ‘Sea, Storm’ below, which needs a bit more work, but all completed paintings are now in the ‘Artworks’ gallery. I altered ‘Red Velvet Dancing’ a little (also below)- taking out the second figure and adding some more impasto highlights to the dress to show reflected firelight.
So that’s now just two paintings to finish, then the series is complete! Atzi has also tweaked the short music pieces to his liking, as mentioned each painting comes with a CD of all 12 music pieces.
‘Sombre Constellations’ has already sold, to a former buyer and friend in Australia, it’s a great home for the painting to go to, not just because Linda Cairnes is a talented painter herself, but because I think ‘Sombre Constellations’ perhaps has something of the Aboriginal ‘dreaming’ to it! All completed paintings viewable on ‘Artworks’ in menu above.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the paintings, the exhibition, or would like to buy a painting or print – rose.strang@gmail.com
Edinburgh Art Fair
It was an absolutely buzzing preview at the Edinburgh Art Fair yesterday evening, with barely room to move – I was impressed so many people showed up on a freezing November night!
I had the pleasure of meeting owners of the Limetree Gallery, Sue and Stephen (photo below) who included some of my works at their stand (In photo below – ‘Hawk, River Tweed’ and four works from the Canalscapes series).
Three of the Canalscape series sold through the Limetree as part of a mixed exhibition earlier this year and it’s been a pleasure working with them – it’s not just about being paid on time (which is nice!) but also clear, friendly communication, and I hope this enjoyable working relationship continues.
The Edinburgh Art Fair is on until 19th November, more info Here
Winter series – post 6
‘Winter 2’. Mixed media on 10×10″ wood panel. £150
‘Winter 1’. Mixed media on 10×10″ wood panel. £150
‘Winter 8’. Mixed media on 10×10″ wood panel. £150
A definite feeling of progress at last …
Above are the latest pieces for the upcoming Winter Series exhibition (info Here) which is opens in just 9 days!
As mentioned in a previous post, the challenge of this series is that I’m trying something new; responding to twelve two-minute pieces created for this project by composer and cellist Atzi Muramatsu, but also I’m finding it a challenge because each piece of music is entirely distinct, so with each painting I’m exploring a new theme as opposed to variations on one subject.
With nine days to go, and half the works finished, I’m finally getting into the swing of things. It was particularly enjoyable to paint the figure dancing in red velvet by firelight, this one ‘painted itself’ as they say. That’s partly because I took photos of myself in a red velvet dress for reference. That’s much easier because the proces is mimetic. The first thing you learn as an artist is to copy. It’s much more challenging to create something abstract and from imagination.
A couple of photos the painting in progress (I might take out the smaller figure, or make it recede a bit more).
‘Winter 1’, in response to the first piece of music, was quite difficult. The music itself felt like a meandering descent, and at the same time very cold with a sense of space. I tried several epic-style paintings looking from a height down to a frozen valley but they just didn’t work. This descending waterfall, which leads the eye down to a ship frozen in ice, seems to fit the mood.
The running snow hare was the immediate image that sprung to mind when listening to one of the pieces where the cello style is speedy, scratchy, scittering and staccato (to use a musical term!) also springing, just to add another word starting with ‘s’.
Below is the ground-work for a portrait of Atzi playing cello, in response to a Baroque-style cello piece. This monochrome sketch onto grey ground is a very traditional approach – I wanted to try a traditional technique so it feels in keeping with the 17th century music style. I’ll gradually build up more complex tones, then overlay with colour glazes, followed by some impasto highlights.
I feel I’ve earned a short break now, so I’ll spend the rest of the day relaxing before the Edinburgh Art Fair preview which launches this evening. I have four works in the show, hosted by the Limetree Gallery (at Stand D11). All info Here
Winter series – post 5
Today’s painting for the Winter Series
I’ve decided to order these as ‘posts’ as opposed to ‘days’ since work does go on in between these blog posts!
It’s been a frustrating time as a delivery of paints didn’t turn up until four days later than arranged, so today’s painting was created within half an hour before the light faded, in a state of determination to get something more done.
Tomorrow I’ll have a decent amount of hours to work on something more substantial, though with the precious and limited daylight of winter it’s a challenge to fit everything in – tomorrow I’ll also be delivering my paintings for the Edinburgh Art Fair. (Info Here). Here they are, newly framed …
Just to make up for the really annoying mess-up of paints delivery, the picture framers did an excellent job of framing these, and delivering them free. Excellent and reliable service does still exist! So kudos to Edinburgh Arts Framers. Link Here should you ever wish to have some paintings framed. I don’t know what they put in the tea there, but not only were they reliable, they were also friendly and charming. (I know, shocking!)
Upcoming exhibitions
Edinburgh Art Fair Private View (from EAF website link http://www.artedinburgh.com/image/44 )
I have a couple of exhibitions coming up ( info below) also new and various places where my artworks are currently available. I hope you’ll drop by if in Edinburgh or Glasgow …
17th to 19th November: Edinburgh Art Fair at the Corn Exchange. Link Here
The Edinburgh art fair is the largest yearly art fair outside of London and represents hundreds of galleries from across the UK. My work is represented by the Limetree Gallery, which is at Stand 11. The private view of the art fair is on Thursday 16th Nov, tickets £12 available on the link above. From the 16th to 19th entry is £4 for one day, £5 for all three days and £3 for a group pass.
Works showing: ‘Hawk, River Tweed’. Canalscapes 3, 5, 6 and 4 (View on ‘Artworks’ page on menu above) You can view a video of the making of ‘Hawk’ Here.
26th to 3rd December, Winter Series, Open Studio. Link Here
This is a series of 12 paintings I’m currently creating in response to 12 pieces of music composed by cellist/composer Atzi Muramatsu with whom I’ve collaborated since 2013. Opening hours 12:30 to 6:30pm, all info on link above. This is a free exhibition. Also facebook event page Here
Artpistol, Glasgow. Link Here
The Artpistol Gallery opened in 2011 and shows contemporary art by emerging and established artists. Works can be bought at the gallery in Cresswell Lane, Glasgow, or online at the link above
Work showing in the gallery: ‘Nocturn 2’, ‘Nocturn 3’. Working showing/available on their website – ‘Harris Moon 4’. (View on ‘Artworks’ page on menu above)
Scottish Design Exchange, Edinburgh. Link Here
The Scottish Design Exchange is a not-for-profit gallery which aims to support and promote Scotland’s arts community.
Works showing: Paintings from the ‘Moonscapes’ series of the Isle of Harris in the Scottish Hebrides. (View on ‘Artworks’ page on menu above)
Portrait. In December I’ll be completing my portrait of Richard Demarco, which I’m gifting to the Demarco Archives. More info Here
Online galleries. My works are also available on two online arts websites –
Saatchi https://www.saatchiart.com/rosestrangart
Artfinder https://www.artfinder.com/rose-strang#/
That’s it for now!
A day of photos
I’m waiting for a new batch of paint to arrive for the winter series I’m working on, which is proving a challenge! Each piece of music by Atzi Muramatsu is distinct so it’s not like painting a landscape series where I usually do variations. In other words each painting has an entirely new theme.
Yesterday evening Atzi came round to practice cello in the studio space, so I took some photos (below), which led to an idea for one of the paintings in response to a very Baroque-style piece of music. I’m being a bit literal, with a painting in the style of Vermeer (well, an attempt). So today I was experimenting with light (photo above). The photos are for reference and ideas, but I’ll paint from life mostly.
One of the music pieces has a swirling soft, warm quality which made me think of red velvet and dancing, hence the photos below, which I took of myself swirling around in a red dress this afternoon, which didn’t make me feel at all idiotic…
I’ll be posting more paintings by Monday.
Winter Series – day 4
New paintings for the winter series from today above. The two small black paintings were in response to a sombre piece by Atzi. More info about the Winter Series project Here.
Below, some more work on the previous paintings …
Rose Strang Artworks 