Self-Portrait -Friday pm, 24th April 2009
Self-Portrait diary Friday pm. 24th April 2009
Present: Nigel, Paul, Penny, Joanna, Colin, (Service Users) Theresa, Aimee (Staff).
Sue Sargeaunt and Nickova (Artists)
First session!
We met with the group and discussed our ideas of a self-portrait. Each person spoke of memories and objects that were meaningful to themselves.
Nickova and I had agreed, that for the first session, as it was a way of introduction, that everybody could paint individually using the tables and easels set up in the room, painting whatever would come into their mind.
Nickova did a demonstration of how to use the materials; the paint and the brushes, how to wash them out particularly so that the colours could remain fresh and the brushes would not dry out.
Each person painted two to three paintings of their own choice. There was a lot of natural movement in the room as people used the materials then collected more paint or changed brushes. Initially there were some interactions as people settled into the painting process.
After every one had settled into their own process, there was a 25-30 minute period of concentration and focus as people became absorbed.
We all met together after this and looked at our paintings as a group with a cup of tea. We also discussed what will happen next and how Nickova and I have planned the course.
Nickova and I had been able to take some photographs whilst people were painting, as Ana Kuzan (our photographer) is not available for all sessions.
