Day 342: Tessa Wolfe-Murray: the purpose of art...

Today I thought I'd start up a bit of a debate because I'm in that kind of mood. It starts with a question;

When does art stop and necessity take over?

Take this vases for example. They have been crafted by Tessa Wolfe-Murray and are really beautiful. I love the deep blue with it's mottled tones. I like to imagine they've been found at the bottom of the ocean from a sunken ship...It's obvious that a lot of skill and time has gone into making them. But, what are they for? Should we use them as vases to put flowers in or should they just sit and be looked at?

Vases were used by the Romans to carry water or store food in like salt or grain, safe from rats. But we've got bottle and fridges for that, right? So should be just put these on the side and look at them? Is that what art is for? Can art be useful? can we use it for stuff or is it just for the pleasure of out eyes?

I wonder what you think...



'Deep Sea and Shallows' 

Day 160: Paint-a-pot with friends

About two months ago me and my housemate Beth went to a paint-a-pot shop and let our creativity rip! This mug is what I produced. On one side is a sun and as it moves round, it goes through the day and into night.

I wanted to decorate a mug that was for both left and right handed people. If you are left handed you know what I mean when I say all mugs are decorated to benefit ONLY right handed people.

Anyway, I won't get into that. The point is, creativity can be used all over the place. I really enjoyed sitting down for a few hours with my friend painting a little picture on a mug. It took us ages to decide what we were going to paint, bouncing off creative idea after creative idea. Every time I use it I am reminded of that day. When I make my cup of tea in the morning, it makes me want to do something else creative with the day too.

See it there's anywhere around where you live to paint a pot, or a bowl, plate, money box. The possibilities are endless. Only you can paint your pot. It will be one of a kind. They make great presents too!

Day 83: Calling all makers...

If you are into creating out of ceramics, textiles, wood, synthetics, metal or even recycled materials then I have found the exhibition for you.


Salisbury Arts Centre is calling all artists/makers over the age of 16 to submit their creations by Friday 1st October. Then ALL entries will be exhibited together in November and December. You are even in with a chance of winning £200!


So, what do you make? Don't think it's not good enough. Do you think Michelangelo thought he was good enough to paint the Sistine Chapel? You have to be in it to win it. Leona Lewis would not be doing what she loves if she hadn't started somewhere. Maybe this is your somewhere! Who knows where it will lead...? (Check out Day 69 to see how it worked for me.)

To find out more about it, check out the website and download the submission form.

Start small...think big!