Vidya’s Blog

 Well, I have to say that there are various allied activities that are very freeing for creativity and have allowed me to ‘think outside the box’ during this gap since last posting. One way forward has been gathering together teaching resources. I work in an environment that has a strong dependency on secondary source material such as photographs, images from magazines etc. Although this can be construed as limiting, it has propelled me into looking at images I have taken of my own work and how they might be useful as a teaching aid. One such image is shown here, as featured on my web pages. Interestingly, the photograph is very different from the actual work, which is a 3D piece (one of my rare departures from the world of 2D) in that there is a semi-opaque layer of organza that doesn’t show well on the photo! Ofcourse there really is no substitute for viewing the original work, which I would only be too happy to arrange by appointment for potential buyers!! However, I digress. The so-called copy of originals sends me off into all sorts of different directions creatively and has often been a feature of my work. Having painted in earnest up until relatively recently, I realise there has been a bit too much suffering for my art and not enough enjoyment. I am therefore indulging in an unfocused frenzy of activity, allowing myself the opportunity to go with many more ideas at one time than I would otherwise do. I’m following my instincts on this one and feel that whatever emerges will be valid even if it is nolonger televisions! One of the regular walks I do locally, takes me past the town cemetery and I have to say this is a place that fascinates me on various levels (no pun intended). I was drawn there many years ago as an ecologist for the green-winged orchids, which were carefully mown around to provide pockets of wild spaces. I still regard the site as a haven for wildlife and as a peaceful place just beyond the housing estates and on the industrial fringe of town. Forgive me if I start to sound a bit like a town planner. Not having posted for a while is causing me to ramble. What I want to say is that the local enviroment is another source of inspiration that has been staring me in the face and has until now been a largely untapped reservoir of ideas. I have embarked on something entitled ‘the spirits of the dead’ which has what I regard as spiritual content but doesn’t require a public health warning. It’s always hard blogging and writing about ideas and themes that are only half formulated but hopefully this will keep you reading for just a while longer.