New title and new pictures

Julia Manheim made these images whilst on the second Artwalk, our ideas on the environment coincide and for me these images tell a story about human and animal interaction with great simplicity and composition. 

I have changed the name of this blog to 'Artwalks Epsom and Ashtead common' as I thought 'Walking the boundaries' had too many religious connotations. Also I wanted to cement the idea of art and walking being intertwined in my practice and for the art walks themselves. I have nearly finished my application for funding from ACE so fingers crossed.

Funding and the future

2012

The last art walk is now done and I am very pleased to say that even on a wet Monday in October I did get one participant. In total 7 people attended throughout the summer, and their feedback will help me to develop the residency and art walks further. There will be more emphasis on the walking aspect of the residency, as I favor the movement of art out of the gallery and into the everyday places. Walking puts us into a discreet space both mentally and temporally, which allows time to create and just enjoy being in the moment.

THE FUTURE

Sundays in the Summer would be a better bet and to that end I am already planning the walks for next year. With financial support from Colin Taylor via the Community Partnerships East, part of Surrey County Council, and help from Epsom & Ewell, Surrey Arts, The Epsom Common Association, these walks and future ones will be possible.

Now I am applying for Arts Council Funding for 2013, so fingers crossed.

The weather for next monday's walk

 Come along with your eyes ready

I have just checked the long range forecast for Monday the 1st of October and the outlook is good, cloudy but no rain. let's hope it keeps off as it will be a bit muddy underfoot after all the rain so far this week. Looking forward to meeting some new people and lets hope we can have at least six people the number who turned out for the last walk.

Art walk map

I am getting things ready for the next art walk on the 1st of October. Despite it being a Monday, chosen for the quietness of a week day, I am expecting a good turnout. Epsom art college (UCA) will be back and I have been working hard to promote the idea with people, both local and from London's artistic community. Here is a map of the route we will be following.

Second art walk

We had almost perfect weather for the second art walk, and more importantly SIX people.

The slight rain only came when we were near some cover and never threatened to halt our progress around the commons. All the rehearsal time paid off and we stopped at the various locations to discuss boundaries and boarders. Animal/human divides, political boundaries, common land, the enclosures acts and frogs were all debated as we walked.

 After lunch we stopped and made some drawings. I was left feeling that it has all been worth it and I got some lovely feedback from my questionnaire.

Thanks to all who came along

Drawing

Dead tree Epsom common pen on paper

If you are planning to come on the 27th of August, it is an 11 o'clock start, meet at Stamford Green pond (near the Cricketers pub) which is 15 mins walk from Epsom Station. 

This drawing was made on my last visit to Epsom common, it is one of the dead trees that seem to have been struck by lightning. It is blackened and contorted. It takes longer to draw a tree than photograph it and I think you do take more in at the time and remember more when you re visit a drawing, rather than a photograph.

Having said this I spend a long time pouring over other artists photographs too.

3 weeks to go

It is only three weeks to go till the next art walk on the 27th of August. So I hope to attract some people along to experience the unique space that is Epsom Common. 

I have walked the Lleyn Peninsular coastal path, which was amazing, not only the land and seascape, but the flora and fauna. There were four mile long beaches with six people on them. Seals, buzzards, sparrowhawks, red campion, meadowseat, hairbells and mombrisha all combined to make each day full of new sights, sounds and smells.

Porth Negril  iPhone camera

Just a week before the trip I had a cataract operation so I saw the whole peninsula in a new and more vivid way. I plan to go back and shoot a short film with a digital SLR. The resolution and narrow depth of field offer great scope for new ways to represent both people and the 'natural' environment.