Day 11: Three years ago today

Three years ago today my life was very different. Ivy was not even in the making. I was a student in my final year and living up North. I spent way too much time on Facebook and in bed, and not enough time in the studio or library. Although it looks like I was in the studio that day, as I took these pictures...

 

UPFEST 2012

Yesterday was the first day of this years UPFEST, and it's even bigger than last year. We spent a good few hours wandering around looking at the art and enjoying the music, there was a great festival atmosphere and I'm so excited to see the pieces develop over the next couple of days. I am generally just in a constant state of excitement and awe. Kwojo was designated photographer, so I have to give him credit for these photos.

Something new this year. A replica subway train carriage. Such a great idea to honour the roots of street art as we know it. It looks amazing already, I love the colours.

This portrait is stunning, no?

And inside, collaborative drawing. 

Plenty of portrait inspiration to get me off to a good start with Creative June (which I still think needs a better, um, more creative, name), as well as general feelings of OMGILOVEART. So much work goes on behind the scenes, I have massive respect to the volunteers who organise it. I also love Bristol for being home to events like this. 

UPFEST 2011: Walls and Shutters

Tomorrow is the first of three days of UPFEST, and it's just at the end of our road! Last year was the first year we'd been, and since then some of the walls and shutters around here have been adorned with art. In the last week I've seen some of these get painted over, ready for new paintings this weekend. Here are a few...

Looking through my photos I actually don't have as many as I thought of the finished pieces that stayed all year. For me the exciting part was seeing the painting happen. I love live art.

Creative June

In an attempt to get back in touch with my creative side, I've set myself a challenge. And I have to mention it here so that it's out there and I'll stick to it. So for everyday of June, I will do something creative. What I really want to get out of this is to get back into the swing of drawing and painting, remember how to do it and start to build up a bit of confidence again. I get bursts of inspiration, but nothing ever comes of it. It is hard to prioritise something that is so self indulgent and totally for me. When I have time off (i.e when Ivy naps) other things seem more important like the washing up or having a nap too. But art is important to me, and I've been really craving it recently. I'm going to be kind to myself with this challenge, and if I can't sketch or paint (because you can't force these things) then I'll try a new recipe, or take a good photo, or do some crafting.

For now, here is my inspiration that I've been collecting on Pinterest. I like portraits, and colour.

Source: pamifashiondolls.blogspot.co.uk via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: amandagreavette.blogspot.co.uk via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: sofawned.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: rpsendra.blogspot.com via Lauren on Pinterest

And If you can think of a better name than "Creative June", let me know!

Sunny days and bunting

This weekend is the Southbank Arts Trail so there is lots of bunting around!

Ivy, Emmelie and I decorated a flag for a community bunting project - I love this idea. I made a uterus stencil to use for mine, of course.



This street made a collaborative piece. I don't know what the significance of 46 (or is it 4b?) is.



At the end of our road there is knitted graffiti on bollards, bike rails, trees, lamp-posts, billboards. The spikey knitting is my favourite.






And then we spent the rest of the afternoon making the most of the good weather in the garden. Ivy showed Emmelie how good she has got at sitting in the less than two weeks since she last saw her. Ivy pulled grass and tried to eat it, but I think this was actually just a ploy to try to eat our hands when we removed the grass from her mouth.




And Ivy demonstrated her new trick: moving. I saw her do this for the first time on Monday when I put her on her tummy. She can push herself backwards with her arms, or to the side so that she rotates in a circle. And yesterday, for the first time, I saw her push herself up onto her knees. She is working towards crawling and it's both scary and exciting!