One of the surprises of life is the way in which chance discoveries can send one off in novel directions, or cause one to rethink in a different way things that appeared to be settled plans. Suddenly there are new possibilities not imagined before.
This has happened, in a minor way, to me. Clearing out the store-room/workshop at the South Square gallery I came across a roll of artist’s canvas. It measures about 60 cms. across, and there must be a good 4 metres of it. I rescued it from the pile of old stuff that was destined for the tip, and when nobody else had any idea what useful purpose it might serve, I “liberated” it. Previously I have usually bought ready-made canvases, but now the possibility has emerged that I might make my own.
This is actually quite exciting, because one of the designs I have in mind for my current series doesn’t fit any of the standard, off-the-peg sizes, Now, instead of trying to modify my imagination to accommodate to what I can buy from the supplier, I can make a canvas specifically to suit my design.
The incident has caused me to rethink the series in a more general way. I had just reconciled myself to the idea of limiting the size of my canvasses quite severely, to ensure ease of transportation. Now my original conception has revived, recovering the possibility that at least two of the images might be quite large.
One thing at a time! I need to finish the one I’m working on before I get carried away by wider possibilities.