Negative Space in this years Royal Academy summer exhibition

I have visited the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition many times, and have to admit that for the most part I am rarely inspired, often leaving with a sense of confusion  and frustration!

watercolour of dancing birds…..Lots of negative space.

Traditionally during this large exhibition,  paintings have been hung close together in overcrowded galleries.   This year, the galleries had been hung far more sensitively,     allowing more space between the paintings, which in turn gives viewers the opportunity to actually see and enjoy the works on display.

I wasn’t planning to attend this year, until my friend, Jayanthi asked if I would like to meet her there.     The prospect of spending time with her was enough for me to change my mind.

Jayanthi, taking a photograph in one of the galleries. 

Allowing space around and between paintings gives the eye and mind time to rest and focus, rather than being bombarded with too much information.

Looking through galleries at the RA. 

The same principle is honoured in Japanese gardens and theatre…..we recognise it in beautifully composed music, literature and paintings.     A place within the whole, which allows the mind to rest – to take in with clarity what it is we are experiencing.

The calm and serenity of a Japanese garden. 

I hope everyone enjoys a lovely weekend, with some space and time for reflection…..

magical hummingbird soaring through space and time…..

A Bientôt

 

 

 

 

Returning home to UK/Europe.

I returned to the UK/Europe in the spring of 1993.    For the first six months, I lived with my cousin and family in Crickhowell, Wales – or as I call it The Magical Town of Crickadoon.

Set in the beautiful Usk Valley, where the Black Mountains and Brecon Beacons meet, just twenty miles from Hereford and the  English boarder, it is indeed an area of outstanding natural beauty.

I made a home there for 12 years until I moved to London in 2005 – the place if my birth.

In this photograph, taken right after I moved to Wales, I am with my two cousins, Lynn and Mike.

After returning I contacted a relative, Care Weight, who was  a well known English artist and had been professor of painting at the Royal College of art.

In 1997, Carel died aged 89.     This image shows the programme given out at a wonderful tribute to his life, held at the Royal Academy, which I attended.     The painting is Carel’s tribute to Turner as he soars to heaven.

From 1973 until I returned to the UK in 1993′ I had painted under my married name, ‘Reed’.          Carel and I both agreed that it was time to paint using my maiden name,  ‘Weight’.     Hence my signature…Janet Weight Reed.

Once again proof of the interconnectedness of life.     Shortly after moving to London in 2005′ I gave my first workshop for The Fulham/Hammersmith Arts Society, also known as SOFAP.

This photograph was taken at that workshop when I was giving a portrait painting demonstration.

Ironically, it turned out that Carel Weight was one of the founders of the Association back in the fifties!

Tomorrow I am giving another workshop for the same group and then staying with a good friend, which means I will be back on line Monday 27th

Have a lovely weekend.

A bientot