Most splendid greetings! It has been such a long time, so it’s great to be back. I’ve recently returned from a trip overseas where I presented two Australian animation programs at OFAFA in Krakow, Poland. The festival principally screens Polish animation, but has slowly been branching out to include a number of highlight sessions from different countries/festivals in its programming. Contemporary Polish animation is absolutely flourishing after what has been difficult times, so we’re thrilled to be screening 2-3 focus programs in MIAF this year.
On my way back to Australia, I spent a few days in London. Due to exceptional timing, my colleague from LIAF invited me to attend a Women in Film and TV panel discussion with three uber talented animators/directors currently working in the UK – Suzanne Deakin, Elizabeth Hobbs and Magdalena Osinska (now working at Aardman). The session made me realise how irregularly these type of events are held - straight forward Q&As with creatives simply chatting about their processes, influences, techniques, work spaces, families, beginnings etc. Wonderfully honest and enlightening stuff. It reminded me of being back in uni, and got me thinking about what could be organised here in Melbourne.
A screening of everyone’s work preceded the talks, and it was just so good to be reminded how brilliant they all are. But for me personally, it was the joy of seeing Elizabeth’s outstanding work, one after another on a big screen – a pure treat. Lithe brush strokes and dobs, rich in pigment, bead and ensue – while intelligent writing and stunning narration – most often by Liz herself - draw us deep into her watery world. It’s unfortunately just not possible to appreciate her fluid textures on the internet.
She described her studio - a spare bathroom where she works over the bath itself – the image was so compelling in my mind that it’s made me seriously review the excuses I make regarding the shortcomings of my own work space! Time to make better use of what I have.
> Liz's website, her YouTube page, her fabulous blog: news from the bog
> Suzanne's work profiled on Slinky Pic's website
> Magdalena's work on Vimeo
11 comments:
Helen, you have been missed. Welcome back! This work is just exquisite!
p.s. I though of you the other day when I saw this embroidery:
http://www.jilliantamaki.com/embroidery/penguin-threads/
welcome back! it's great to see inspirational people for real, they give you lots of energy and freash ideas...
I am in little shock and joy that you are back. Welcome home. The stills you have put up here look so beautiful I am amazed they move. I just watched Liz' birds at The Nature of Bow 2003..... "krasna"!
sounds like a really exciting trip~
glad you had a great time :)
Hi Helen, glad that you're back! Looks like you had a great and exciting time! Love your post, thanks for sharing!
What a wonderful welcome. So fabulous to hear from you all.
Holly, I love Jillian's work, thank you so much for the link, and for thinking of me!
Sandra, The Nature of Bow is so great isn't it. She has such an amazing sense of line and composition, and she's so very very lovely to boot.
Barbara, I pretty much flew over the top of you. Wish I could've parachuted out for a quick afternoon with you... alas, time & money (& gravity!) would not allow such a diversion... very frustrating!
Now it's time to see what you've all been up to.
wow! amazing!
welcome home! i sure wish "just came back from a trip overseas" was part of my vocabulary these days, oh how i'm aching to get away. sounds like it was a most productive time though, very exciting stuff. i've been a production coordinator/assistant for CG & animation studios before and have always loved working in that enviro, the peeps are just really stoked about what they do. lovely to see the passion.
so good the discussion panel got everyones juices flowing and had their personal projects as a show and tell aspect. that's awesome.
Elizabeth's pieces are bloody brilliant! evolution and new dawnings come to mind, a nice balance & beautiful depth. thank you for sharing. ♥
Yep, animators are a truly lovely creative community.
And I do know that feeling of aching to get away, I feel very fortunate sometimes, despite a depleting/non existent budget! Hopefully you can somehow slip a get away into what I imagine is a busy (and often finanically unappreciated?) schedule.
I love your interpretation of Elizabeth's works. You're spot on.
The webs we weave How lovely that you met my friend Lizzy xxx
The webs indeed Hazel ;-)
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