Making Marks and It's OK

By -
I have been away from a good place for so long.

Now as I make amends and try to reconnect, I find that I have brought my fear into my studio. The result is that tentative efforts to work have been woefully far from the free and expressive place that I remembered could fire and consume me.

I try too hard, forcing minute concentrations of detail into a twisted tight fist of constraint and control.

This is not working and this is not helping.

Me.

To be free and unselfconscious is the thing.

And so today, with graphite blocks and paper of different weight and texture and with anxious brain ignored, I managed to begin again.

Let go and make marks.

Graphite on paper.



Graphite on grainy paper.



And wondrously (how could I have forgotten?), graphite on beautiful, old coarse linen.



Now I think I might just be able to carry on.

Comments

Jill said…
You've been missed. "This too will pass". Jill
18 March 2014 at 20:50
Unknown said…
Please carry on. Your work is beautiful. I am awaiting more Maggie lines.
18 March 2014 at 21:06
Maggie Ayres said…
Jill... Thank you so much for your kindness. "This too will pass is truly my mantra".x

Tierza... I am very touched by your warm words. Thank you. x
18 March 2014 at 21:58
Unknown said…
So happy to see you, I am inspired by, and love your work.
18 March 2014 at 23:27
Julie Shackson said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
19 March 2014 at 00:21
Julie Shackson said…
Hope this phase passes swiftly now my friend. xxjxx
19 March 2014 at 00:21
Jacqui Galloway said…
glad to see you back.
Jacqui x
19 March 2014 at 07:03
Maggie Ayres said…
Donna and Jacqui...Thank you so much for your warm words. x
Julie... At last I can feel that change is possible in me and that there is hope.
Thank you so much for your caring x
19 March 2014 at 17:55
Ann Scott said…
Maggie, Your words hit a nerve with me today. Thank you for expressing feelings I can relate too about moving forward. Your work is wonderful and inspiring. I hope every day will be better and I look forward to seeing the new.
28 March 2014 at 19:08
Anonymous said…
Hi Maggie, I just watched your video about encaustics, brought to my attention by my friend Kim Rodeffer Funk. I love your way of drawing and making marks. Also, I guess we know those moments of creative fear so well. It's good to see your marks, and I wonder, what you might have created since March, certainly wonderful staff! Hang on in there:) greetings from Paris from Andrea
16 May 2014 at 09:30
Rolina said…
I love your art and hope to see more in this blog soon!
16 March 2015 at 15:53
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spring Fling 2010

By -
Image
There are 3 things that without fail I will cry out as it gets closer and closer to Spring Fling , the Artist's Open Studio Event in SW Scotland this weekend: "I'm not going to have enough work finished in time!" "What if nobody comes?" "What if people think my work is rubbish/a joke/not worth looking at?" This will be my 3rd year and so far, in reality, it's been a grand experience. And so far, none of the above has arisen (at least no one has been harshly critical to my face). Most of my work is made in isolation, so it's always good to meet people who are interested in seeing what I do, and gauging reactions. If you're in the area this weekend, do take the time to pop in and introduce yourself. "Curve" - a sculpture in plaster, scrim and acrylic - click on the image for a larger version
Read more

It's Personal - guest blogging on my husband's site

By -
While my husband, Kim, has been blogging for nearly 5 years, for me it's an entirely new experience. So as a way to introduce me to the people who frequent his blog, he suggested I do a guest post on his site. Because one of the things about his writing style that has always struck me is his openness, I decided to write about the deeply personal approach I have to my art. Do pop over and visit: http://kimayres.blogspot.com/2010/05/maggie-ayres-its-personal.html and feel free to comment or feedback to me your thoughts
Read more

A Studio of My Own

By -
Image
I had forgotten what it felt like to have a space entirely for me, without reference to my lovely family. Joyous. Thrilling. Intoxicating. My virgin studio has two generously large Georgian windows- the light gloriously sublime, reflecting possibilities around the high, white walls and ceiling. It begs me for expansive, bold canvases to honour its space and begin its legend. The floor is bare board and ready to be spilled and spattered upon. Oh the sense of excitement and liberation! Here lies the scene of my new agenda- my expression of self and the abandonment of apology for being less than. It feels like I've been waiting all my life for this heady time, where my story can be rewritten, defined anew by the very existence of a studio of my own. Joyous. Thrilling. Intoxicating.
Read more