The Christmas break has been the perfect time for me to sit down, and have a think about what I want 2024 to look like.
For the last couple of years, I have worked mainly with graphite pencils to create Pet Portraits and animal drawings, and done the occasional craft market. It’s been great; however, I feel it’s now time for a little change. Don’t worry Animals will continue to be the focus of my work because they continue to inspire me, and there is still so much more to learn when it comes to capturing them in a piece of artwork.
EVENTS
During 2024 I have decided to reduce the number of markets I will be attending, this will create free time so I can work on larger pieces, which is something I have been wanting to do for a long time. My goal is to expand my reach by entering my artwork in exhibitions across the UK. This will give me the chance to showcase my work to new audiences and explore exciting new artistic opportunities.
My online shop will remain open and available for customers worldwide, offering UK and international delivery on all products. I'm also excited to announce that I'll be expanding my range of art prints, so be sure to keep an eye out for new releases!
MATERIALS
I have become increasingly conscious about the environmental impact my artwork has on the natural world. I always try to use recycled materials for packaging; however, I’ve not really thought about the materials I use to create the artwork itself. I, like many artists am terrible for purchasing new art materials! Like a moth to a flame, art shops draw me in and I am dazzled by all the new shiny art goodies on display. You might think that this isn’t a bad thing, however when you already have cupboards packed full of materials ready to launch themselves at you when you open the door it becomes a problem.
So, my pledge for 2024 is to utilise the materials I already have, using my skills to experiment with all the forgotten papers, canvas and paints I currently have hidden away. My sustainability commitment will then continue in my future projects, by incorporating materials that other artists might consider unusable. This includes things like ripped canvases, creased paper, leftover paints and pencils. I'm excited to see what can be created with these materials, and to give them new life in my artwork.
I have already started working this way with out even realising. My current Tiger drawing is being created on discarded printer paper, which was given to me during my A-Level art studies. The printing company throw out this paper as some of the sheets where water damaged, so wasn't fit for purpose. I have found that this paper actually takes paint and charcoal really well, and is a delight to work with.
EDUCATION
Graphite pencil will always be my go-to medium, but I think it’s time to expend my skill set a little. With this in mind I have signed up for a couple of courses, one in Children's Illustration and one in cardboard sculpture. The Children's Illustration course, will hopefully give me an insight into a world that I currently know very little about. I have been asked on a number of occasions about Illustration work, however I have been afraid to pursue the offers due to lack of knowledge. Hopefully this course will give me the courage I need to take these projects on.
The cardboard sculpture course is one that will reflect my 2024 ethos for stainability as well as giving me an insight into 3-dimensional work, something which is very new to me.
I am also currently doing some market research into the interest for drink and draw sessions. These sessions will include 2 hours of guided drawing exercises, one Saturday a month. All materials will be included and each session will be based around a different theme, so one month me might draw animals, and the next month we’ll tackle buildings. The idea of these classes is to create a safe, social environment to learn and develop your drawing skills. If you think that this sounds like your kind of thing, then drop me an email on clairecrawfordart@gmail.com to register your interest.
SUBJECT MATTER
I will still continue to do Pet Portraits; however, I also want to start a 26-year plan, which will be broken down into yearly themes. Each year’s theme will be based on a letter of the alphabet. So, for example the theme for 2024 is based on the letter A, and is going to be called 'Animals in Action'. I already have some fabulous reference photos lined up, and have started to mentally plan out some hopefully amazing pieces of artwork. I am also eager to get out and about more with my camera, to see what else can be snapped to provide inspirational creative possibilities. This new approach to my artwork will allow me to focus my creativity and avoid distractions, while providing a structure that will enable me to develop cohesive collections throughout the year. It's a win-win!
So, there you have it! My plans for the coming year, and I’m super excited that I get to share them all with you guys. Make sure that you don’t miss any of this journey by signing up to my News Letter, or following me on my social media channels. Just go to my home page and click on the links.
All the best for 2024
Claire x