Previous Abstract Group Meetings
Have a look at what we have been doing at the different events and some of the work produced by members during the day!
Friday 19th April - Inspiration From My Town
This week Jo led an activity looking at inspiration from our town centre streets. We were each given a street to visit, perhaps photograph and generally consider before the meeting. The challenge was to spend some time really looking at 'your' street, remembering to look up, to really explore corners, nooks and crannies we normally overlook, and to look beyond the empty shops and feeling of 'decay' in some areas.
A very strong theme emerged which was being determined to celebrate Huddersfield’s heritage, architecture and future development ambition in light of the transition it is currently going through. Although we all experienced many empty shops and streets on our visits, we also found gems to be inspired by, much of which came from the imposing buildings. Having a street assigned to us resulted in close observation that otherwise we might have missed and looking up at some of the sculpture and architecture from years past led to really positive discussion and pieces of work.
Some members were inspired by small distinct elements found with a street and for others, the activity inspired more in the way of feelings and representation of a wider view, including through time. We all greed it was a really enjoyable thing to do.
Click on any of the photos to view a large image.
A very strong theme emerged which was being determined to celebrate Huddersfield’s heritage, architecture and future development ambition in light of the transition it is currently going through. Although we all experienced many empty shops and streets on our visits, we also found gems to be inspired by, much of which came from the imposing buildings. Having a street assigned to us resulted in close observation that otherwise we might have missed and looking up at some of the sculpture and architecture from years past led to really positive discussion and pieces of work.
Some members were inspired by small distinct elements found with a street and for others, the activity inspired more in the way of feelings and representation of a wider view, including through time. We all greed it was a really enjoyable thing to do.
Click on any of the photos to view a large image.
Here are some of the finished pieces of work from the homework or on the day.
We also celebrated David's 80th Birthday next week - well, it would be rude not to!
Friday 15th March - a Look at Pattern
This month, David led our meeting in the subject of pattern. He prepared some information and instructions for creating repeating shapes that were used to print or draw round as well as asking what do we need to see for something to qualify as a pattern? In turn, these created more shapes and negative spaces as they were combined in different ways. We looked at inspiration from Islamic tiling to natural patterns. Members were invited to bring stencils and patterns along and many had done quite a bit of homework before the meeting!
Click on a photo to view larger images.
Click on a photo to view larger images.
We found the topic very motivating and thought provoking, leading to insights about how patterns in spaces we inhabit affect us, just how mathematical some patterns are, how our daily routine can be seen as a pattern that is sometimes broken or changed, how subtle patterns can be viewed as texture and how the act of creating repeating patterns can provide a sense of wellbeing.
Friday 16th February - Windows
This month we took windows as our theme. We looked at various inspiration such as our own photos, metaphorical windows, patterns and shapes and artists who paint using the subject such as Alice Mumford and Matisse.
We started the meeting by reviewing homework to use the large mark-making sheets from the previous month. A few members combined them with this month’s subject by painting over sections. Others cropped and framed areas of interest, or made into a concertina book etc.
Click on a photo to view a larger image.
We started the meeting by reviewing homework to use the large mark-making sheets from the previous month. A few members combined them with this month’s subject by painting over sections. Others cropped and framed areas of interest, or made into a concertina book etc.
Click on a photo to view a larger image.
We then worked on our own responses to ‘windows’ during the session. Here is a variety of images from the meeting looking at a range of things such as how windows interrupt a view, patterns, light and tone, ‘windows of the soul’ and particular buildings that inspired.
Friday 19th January - Making Your Mark
We had a great first meeting of the year and kept things playful by making marks, shapes and lines on paper that was passed round the group until it returned to its original owner.
We conducted two rounds - round one was completely free choice.
We conducted two rounds - round one was completely free choice.
And round two was completed with a limited palette of blues and oranges with specific instructions as to what shapes and marks to make.
Most of the group preferred being given freedom and the results were noticeably more playful than the set with instructions. However, we all agreed that we liked the limited colours which produced coherence across the finished pieces.
The group will be working into some of these in different ways for homework, such as overpainting and scratching though, creating a concertina book or isolating crops.
We had a really good attendance and welcomed a new member this month.
The group will be working into some of these in different ways for homework, such as overpainting and scratching though, creating a concertina book or isolating crops.
We had a really good attendance and welcomed a new member this month.
Friday 8th December - Winter Theme
For the last meeting of the year, we had an open theme of winter for people to explore as they wished. As usual, plenty of diverse responses, styles and techniques resulted in a good array of work that we shared.
Trees, snow, snowflakes, icy rivers and cold winter skies were all sources of inspiration from our landscape as well as thoughts about transition and the slow change of the seasons as we approach the winter solstice and New Year.
It was lovely to welcome two new visitors this week who we hope to see again soon!
Trees, snow, snowflakes, icy rivers and cold winter skies were all sources of inspiration from our landscape as well as thoughts about transition and the slow change of the seasons as we approach the winter solstice and New Year.
It was lovely to welcome two new visitors this week who we hope to see again soon!
Friday 24th November - Focus on Value
Thank you to Fiona who led our meeting on values this week. For those who wished, we had the opportunity to download an app to try out beforehand which shows an image in varying amounts of values. Some of us worked on an exercise to paint a prepared image whilst others used an image of their own to work from. Part of the exercise was to see how many values were needed in order to recognise a figure, and to consider if it helped with creating depth of field in landscapes.
The app was also used to look at other finished pieces of work, to reflect about how it could be used to assist in our personal style and to explore colours and their values. It sparked some good conversations and ideas for using it as a tool in future. It was interesting to see the range of applications around the room.
The app was also used to look at other finished pieces of work, to reflect about how it could be used to assist in our personal style and to explore colours and their values. It sparked some good conversations and ideas for using it as a tool in future. It was interesting to see the range of applications around the room.
Examples of the notan app in an iphone
Click on a photo to enlarge image
Examples of the notan app in an android device
Click on a photo to enlarge image.
Members work using the app to explore value or use value to simplify shapes in an image.
Click on photo to enlarge image
Some highlights from 2023
Click on a photo to enlarge image