While it’s been a while (about seven weeks – who’s counting!) since I picked up a paintbrush, I continue to draw.

These two drawings are from several made over the last week. They feel different to the others – the top one being less worked, more abstract.

The bottom one, well, there’s something about the foreground form and the space it is sitting in. I’m struck by how the form teeters on the edge of the frame. As space recedes, the circular blob on the figure (midway up to the right) pushes forward beyond the picture plane and into the viewers’ space.

While these are not conscious studies for paintings – they give me knowledge of a different (internal) place. I may explore this place further in future works – we’ll see what happens when I next pick up a brush.

When I’m not sure what to write in my newsletter, I often come back to these questions:

How am I feeling right now?
What do I need right now?
What am I experimenting with right now?
What am I working on right now?

Right now, I’m feeling, hmmm, I’m feeling ok. I’m feeling a little time constrained with all the things I’d like to be doing. And I wish we were back at Level 1.

Today I need a brain that can spend a little more time in front of screens. A cup of tea and some chocolate biscuits would also be helpful.

I am experimenting with:

• Poster designs for Interplay.
• Being open to different ideas, feelings, and ways of being in the world.

And I’m working on:

• A poster / graphic design for our November group show, Interplay
• Selecting and preparing work for Interplay (see above image)
• Creating space and time to focus on the essentials (Or perhaps I’ll try focussing on the essentials, so they fill the space and time I have 😀).

The Creative Business Model Canvas (showing Osterwalder and Pigneur’s four quadrants by colour) by Michelle Carter.

Back in May, I mentioned the Personal Business Model canvas as I was looking to reinvent, or at least reframe how I operate as an artist - designer - consultant - administrator - writer - ____ (fill in the blank).

My progress has been somewhat haphazard, but this last week has seen me return to the inspiration behind the Personal Business Model canvas – the Business Model Canvas. In doing so, after a quick google, I discovered Michelle Carter’s Thesis – The Creative Business Model Canvas: The Business Model Canvas reimagined for visual artists, which I’ve rifled for her adapted canvas.

The Creative Business Model Canvas
(showing Osterwalder and Pigneur’s four quadrants by colour)
by Michelle Carter.

While I’ve yet to complete and analyse my canvas, what I’ve written so far has been illuminating and has confirmed my suspicions – certain areas are not getting the attention they need, especially if I’m thinking of my art in terms of a business.

And the image at the top? One from the archive!

Bought before lockdown, a leadholder pencil and an A6 sketchpad have been put to good use during level 4 lockdown, so much so that it’s time for a new sketchpad.