Creatures, black & white and stripes…back into familiar territory.
At least for a little while.
Tm
Stripes!
costumes
Kabuki
Last night Nick and I went to see Kabuki at Sadler’s Wells.
I do have a passion for dance and choreography and Sadler’s Wells is probably my favourite theatre in London, showing all the best of contemporary dance.
I’ve never been to a Kabuki performance before – I’ve been to Tokyo a couple of times, always on transit, more interested in looking around and buying stationery than do the tourist thing.
In this case the performance boasted the presence of Kabuki superstar Ebizo Ichikawa XI, so we thought it would be a good enough reason to go.
Kabuki is a complex mix of theatre, dance, drama, accompanied by live music and singing, with a parade of colourful characters wearing elaborate costumes and make up.
The theatre provided us with a translator, and although I wish I didn’t need it and find it distracting at times, it was actually necessary to follow the dialogue.
I was certainly impressed by Ebizo Ichikawa’s performance. The range of expressions, the incredible agility, and his stage presence are unquestionable. And the other performers were of similar calibre.
What I enjoyed the most were, of course the costumes. An array of colours, shapes, textures, everything so traditional and innovative at the same times. My mind is presently re-working all those styles and colours, translating into costumes for my Creatures – they have always had an affinity for Japan. Is a style thing.
Enjoy your weekend.
Daily Creatures – More Sharpies
#151
Here we are again with the usual round up of last week Creatures.
For this series I went back using Sharpies. Pens and markers are probably my favourite medium and I have a large collection of different types and brands. I tend to use fine Sharpies, adding a few touches with large Stabilo pens.
I’m still experimenting with strange shapes and unusual (for me) colour combinations, in the hope of breaking the routine and find new inspiration to keep me going, I’m still only half way!
So here they are, number 144 to 151, quiet a long series this time.
#150
#149
#148
#147
#146
#145
#144
Fourth painting for “The Party 2010”
Another lovely Creature joins the party.
It’s a triumph of blue, to match the Lady’s eyes and dark skin colours for the make up and the decorative swirly tattoos. The overall effect is that of a bird-like creature, a magnificent, vain, but shy creature.
And, as we are playing games and masquerades, the Creature in question is actually more like a bird of prey than a bird of paradise. But she enjoyed playing the part for the occasion.
This is the last painting for the series, for a little while, but there’s more masks to be portrayed and this chapter is not closed yet.
I will keep you posted on the developments.
Up to date with the Creatures
Creature #110
The scanner is up and running, and having now plenty of time in my hands, I have managed to scan and upload all the Daily Creatures to date.
During the last two weeks at work I didn’t have any pressing job to do so I have spent most of the days doodling away. I have actually filled a whole note book of patterns, creatures and ideas.
The Creatures of these series are heavily influenced by those doodles.
Creature #109
Creature #108
Creature #107
Creature #106
Creature #105
Creature #104
Creature #103
Creature #102
Creature #101
Third painting for “The Party 2010”
Resuming the series.
For this painting I’ve decided to go as far as I could from my usual choice of colours, and it’s definitely the pinkest Creature I’ve ever painted!
Has been done with lots of irony and if you could see how the Lady usually looks you wouldn’t recognise her. But, like I’ve mentioned before, this Party was all about creating a different look for the Creatures, for once taking a different mask and disguise them in unusual ways. And I think I’ve succeeded in the task.
The theme for this mask was a frivolous, ‘marieantointtesque’, extremely pink vision. I enjoyed immensely creating it and the Lady Creature enjoyed wearing it.
Even if for just one night.
Second painting for "The party 2010"
It’s been another very busy week! Unfortunately not all dedicated to creative endeavours.
Complications with the flat we were supposed to buy, last few weeks at my present jobs and many other little things that take time from the important thing: painting.
Still, I put the last touches to some paintings and started a new series.
My only wish at this point would be to have more time and space to dedicate to my Creatures.
We’ll see what the Future will bring.
In the meantime here’s the second painting for The party 2010.
Still lots of white, ridiculously tall headdresses, and swirly tattoos on shoulders and neck.
More to come soon…
