Fresh from my temporary studio in Paris….. It has been an interesting challenge creating from my make shift studio in Paris .Ive had to work differently from my usual larger pieces. Pieces have become more intricate and detailed.I even created some more hand made books and collages using whatever I could find .I am enjoying re-cycling everything I can get my hands on….I just sent back to Australia 5, 7kg. boxes of junk ,collected from the streets and stuff that lovely people have given to me to re-use in my art.
PARIS STUDIO IN A BOX
January 29th, 2010MEET THE TENANT PROJECT
January 24th, 2010MEET THE TENANT PROJECT Over the past 3 months I have been living and making art in Paris. I came here to finish off an arts project I started here 2 years ago.
Meet the Tenant project began in in the Summer of 2005,when I ventured down into the underground area of an apartment block in Asnieres sur seine. I sensed the presence of past lives lurking within the walls and this became the starting point for my project. Within days I had massed hundreds of images, video, photos and drawings. I took them back to my studio in Australia and have been working on the project ever since. I edited the videos into an 18 minute piece and printed out some of the photos. Developed a storyline which keeps changing, and created a proposal ,to be performed . (See 1st draft below) Today back in Paris 2010 I’m still no closer to resolving this project its forever ongoing and not sure where it will end up and its driving me mad. Why am I an artist???.
Proposal No.1 $10,000 – Jenny Davis 2010 “Go to Paris, from Australia & live in an underground space for 7 days and document everything that happens.Video, photographs,drawings, whatever, all things created become yours, you own the experience, everything including my clothes, shoes, food containers ,implements etc…I will deliver them to you. The art piece is… The whole thing…. you can do with it what you want” (Due to sub zero temps. this project was canceled and may be performed at a later date)
PREPARING FOR A SITE SPECIFIC ARTWORK
January 24th, 2010Every artist has their own way of preparing befor creating. In this blog entry I would like to share with you what I do, before creating a site specific artwork.
A BIT ABOUT MY CREATIVE PROCESS
Capturing the wholeness of a space is most important for me.
For creating the work, or idea, I need to physically spend a lot of time in the space where I will be creating the work. Not only, do I need to consider the site visually, I also have to feel it, hear, the silence, the noise, touch the textures, and take in the aroma of the surrounding layers of the environment . This helps me to capture the realness and essence of the space.
All random ideas and thoughts are recorded. This may take the form of written notes, quick drawings, paintings, photos, taken at different times of the day and night. I may also use video and sound.
Sometimes my response is so strong, I will have a basic idea working around in my head before I get back to the studio. I then work out how Im going to take my idea into reality. Working with the creative process allows me to be more spontaneous in my approach to the making of the work. The materials I use can be randomly chosen as I go along or, I will purposely choose a material that will express my ideas.
How do you kick- start your creativity?
LEFTOVER TRASH BOOKS
November 15th, 2009
HANDMADE LEFTOVER TRASH BOOKS I have heaps of travel catalogs that I hate to throw away so I recycle them into notebooks, journals and artist books .I make each book cover as a separate collage piece – OOAK.
I re-use all my jotting and doodling paper I keep beside the computer so when I get a pile I create a book. In my books you may come across scribbles an idea a thought budgets old exhibition invites artist postcards catalog covers pages botched print- outs advertising materials junk mail magazine cut-outs-stickers wallpaper tags and baguette bags from Paris computer keyboard keys old cheque butts and more……I wire bound them with my binding machine and sometimes I join them with punched holes with ribbons , wire,cord just whatever is around.
They can be used for doodles and sketching to jot things down ideas thoughts lyrics words travel or artists journal whatever u want…..
HOW TO STRETCH A CANVAS
November 15th, 2009When I first started painting, the thought of stretching my own canvas was frightening, but after a few attempts of stretching a canvas it came to me automatically. I was able to make canvases for half the price of store bought ones. Also, stretching your own canvas can trigger off the beginning of the creation through the hands on process of doing it yourself. Hope this helps.
How to Stretch a Canvas Materials and equipment
Pre- made stretcher frame
Canvas material cut 10cm approx larger than your stretcher frame
Canvas staple gun
How to Stretch a Canvas
First of all lay your canvas on a flat surface wrong side up then lay your stretcher right side down on top of canvas. Pull the sides of your canvas up and round to the top of your stretcher.
DIAGRAM 1 Secure the 4 points with staples or tacks to create a diamond shaped wrinkle in the canvas. Check diagonals and adjust the stretcher for squareness before going further. 
DIAGRAM 2- Secure the canvas to the stretcher with staples approx. every 6 cm. around the edge, working from the center points outwards. Pulling the canvas as you go. Continue working out to the corners in this pattern. 
DIAGRAM 3-Do not overstretch the canvas. When applying tension, the canvas pliers should not be forced to pull the canvas in place. The tension of course will become greater as you work towards the corners. 
FOLD- the corners under; leaving no exposed tab that maybe caught and damaged. Staple or tack excess canvas that wraps around to the back of the frame. HINT- Once finished and your canvas and is not as tight as you would like, fill a small spray bottle with luke-warm water and spray the canvas on the back. Once dry your canvas will be as tight as a drum. Happy painting!