I call these images 'unstill lives'. Drawing people in movement, on a musical wave-length. They are the opposite of 'still life' painting, - (the painting of silent and 'still' bowls of fruit and flowers)... Compositions of dancers and venues made ‘live’ on location in jazz, soul and funk clubs in London, Uk and Beyond. 1990-2020. Fuelled by participation and observation. The images catch or court the spirit and atmosphere of the music and dance of each specific event.
Not For The Feint Hearted
Pastel on 270 gsm Ingres Paper. 65cm x 50cm. 2024.
This is My live painting. Untouched after the last record last Saturday 07/09/2024. It's a Real Humdinger! It managed to suck in the essence of The Groove and this wonderful Soulful-Jazzy event, gradually evolved by Lorne Daley into a unique musical Happening and a Dancers Paradise!
I talk of my artworks like they have a mind of their own, - independent from me the Maker. And in a sense they do.
We shouldn't confuse the personality of the maker with the content of their product. They are separate (but related things). Curators and Historians make this mistake all the time, - reading things into images from the Makers' life-story which just aren't there... But also, - an artwork, (like a dance), has its own creative energy and momentum which seems spookily separate from the head and hands (or feet) that made it. When I draw, - or dance,- it begins as a torturous effort, wracked in self-doubt. The arms (or legs) feel tired and lack energy. Minutes feel like hours. And then suddenly, like a genie, 'The Groove' kicks in: unlimited energy, focus and momentum takes over, and nothing else matters in that moment. Fatigue and self-doubt vanish. The hours feel like minutes. It feels like the energy and creativity comes from Outside of me. Well I guess all energy in the Universe ultimately comes from the Sun, Moon and Stars...Ask any Astronomer
This is My live painting. Untouched after the last record last Saturday. It's a Real Humdinger that managed to suck in the essence of The Groove and this wonderful Soulful-Jazzy event, gradually evolved by Lorne Daley into a unique musical Happening and a Dancers Paradise!
