Censorship by devious means

If an offence come out of truth, better is it that the offence come than that the truth be concealed. (St. Jerome)

Over the years I have corresponded with the US National Coalition Against Censorship on matters relating to censorship in the Caribbean and elsewhere in the world. Usually, the issue is with authorities censoring work.

However, I have recently met up with what appears to be selective censorship by surviving members of a deceased author's/artist's family. I can only assume that it is done for the sake of propriety. Presumably, there is something in the deceased person's work, beliefs or life history, that they would rather keep hidden from public scrutiny.   

To guard against my own work suffering the same fate, I have instructed my family that, after I've gone, nothing shall be censored. All is relevant. 

On the subject censorship, I admire blogger's stand on freedom of content and the fact that the author of a blog post owns the copyright. This is diametrically opposite to Facebook's censorship of the nude and content that has no copyright restrictions. 

My blog has a large following from artists and art students in countries where blogger is banned, regardless of content. They have to resort to devious means to access my work. Their tenacity gives hope that freedom of expression will prevail.

My dear friend, the Virgin Island poet Sheila Hydman, prophesied, All that will be left is an old forgotten poem like mine. I fervently hope that her life's work, in its entirety will be remembered. 

The Nude: from the perspective of artist and model

The artist and model. (click on the image to view video)

My recent posts have delved into the relationship between artist and poet, whereas my latest video explores the creative relationship be artist and model. The video supplements my book Notes on the Nude.

I hope my video will inspire a new generation of artists to pursue the challenge of working from the nude model and likewise, inspire a new generation of models. 

In a future video I will explore the relationship between artist and musician. 

A footnote to my previous post on Sheila Hyndman

In a recent article I wrote for the press that I had titled "Remembering Sheila Hyndman", the editor substituted my frequent use of Sheila's Christian name for "Ms Hyndman". Thus, in a stroke of the pen, making the intimate the impersonal. 

I doubt that Sheila - sorry, Ms Hyndman! - would approve, for she disliked editors making changes to what she wrote and I share Sheila's aversion. But as this editorial correction verges on the humorous, we'll let it pass.

It reminds me of a line in Leo Robin's lyrics "Miss Brown to You".

But go slow, oh, oh. Don't you all get too familiar. 

Sung here by Billie Holiday.

Nor shall death brag thou wander'st in his shade. (Sheila Hyndman Remembered Cont'd)

A portrait of Sheila that I painted while we were working on "Reflections".

Those you never touched in life, you will touch now. 

Those who never knew Sheila the poet, will know her now.   

(From the eulogy to Sheila by Jennie Wheatley) 

The legacy of a creating artist - whatever art form - depends on the attention given to their work after death. As Sheila's "active force" while she was with us in the world, I consider it my task to ensure that her legacy lives on. 

The title of my post is taken from Shakespeare's 18th sonnet.

Curiouser and curiouser!

Haunting the seashore where mangroves once thrived.

Today's ghostly image relates to my last post Sheila Hyndman Remembered.

`Curiouser and curiouser!' cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English).

With bated breath I await to see how my book is received in the BVI. Since her death thirty-three years ago Sheila has been given scant recognition. Perhaps she was the prophetess they do not want to be reminded of. Sheila foresaw the greed and corruption that has manifested itself in recent times. 

At the time of her death Sheila was working on a novel that spoke of her concerns. The work in progress was on the hard drive of her computer. The only copy (made on one of the early dot matrix printers) passed back and forth between us. I doubt that the hard drive and unfinished manuscript have survived. But what remains fixed in my memory, is an explanation of the book's theme, chapter by chapter, that Sheila verbalised during our time together. 

Sheila's poem “Revelations” speaks of the creative union that existed between us.

I am a seeker of wisdom

You are the active force

That manifests my truths

For the good of humanity.

I am a contemplator of what was and shall be,

You are the revealer of the link that is.

I am of the sky and would flee the cares of men.

You are the Earth, the balance that keeps my sanity.

I am night, the creator of fear and uncertainty

You are the sun, that brings me ecstasy

At the dawn of our union.

I am black with the seed of knowledge

You are fair

And the fire of your purity

Bounds me to the seat of wisdom.

Here are links to the book and video.

Sheila Hyndman Remembered

The following is taken from my foreword to the book, "Sheila Hyndman Remembered" 

In 1974 I was invited to join a radio panel discussion on the theme of creative arts in the BVI. I knew the role of the other presenters around the table, except for a young lady in school uniform. The deep impression that Sheila made when she spoke about her poetry has stayed with me ever since. While I was busy sketching scenes from the island’s past, Sheila was passionately versifying those times and profoundly questioning the future. I shared Sheila’s love and concern for her homeland and in the years that followed we worked towards a common goal.

Almost all of Sheila’s poems date from her teenage years. Her output virtually ceased as she entered adulthood, but reemerged in the late 1980’s. Four of the poems in this collection reflect her later period. From the faded pages of school exercise books and more recent typed poems, we pieced together the contents for “Reflections”. The book was printed and bound in my studio and published in 1989 as a limited edition of 250 copies. Had we not taken the initiative to publish Reflections when we did, Sheila’s poems would have been forgotten by all but the cognoscenti.

When my own work reached a low point, Sheila gave me encouragement to press on. Her influence can be found in my books “Virgin Island Sketches” and “Caribbean Sketches”, and the paintings and sculptures in my series “Daughters of the Caribbean Sun”. One of our last conversations touched upon her literary hopes for the future.

Sheila was born on August 28^th, 1958, and her sudden death in 1991 robbed the Virgin Islands of their foremost poet.

To ensure that the memory of Sheila lives on, the proceeds from the sale of the book will be used to create an annual award in her name for emerging Virgin Island Poets. 

The book is available at: https://www.studiopublications.org/product-page/sheila-hyndman-remembered

A video about the book includes readings from her poems and can be viewed at: https://youtu.be/aUb3nI3Nnkg

Visions of a Paradise Lost

The above is one of scores of sketches that I made forty years ago on a secluded beach in the British Virgin Islands. In those days the beach only saw the occasional footprints of those from the nearby village. The picture below shows the beach as it is today.

But worse is yet to come...  

The government has just signed a contract for the construction of a vending zone inclusive of 6 vending units, including 3 scaled for full service restaurants and bar operations, an outdoor eating and entertainment area and an administrative area to support the beach management function.

Fifty years ago the Virgin Island poet Sheila Hyndman prophesied the future in her poem Visions of a Paradise Lost. 

My shores stripped bare, 

My precious mangroves destroyed,

My seas poisoned,

My own descendants have sold me into slavery.

The above structure has recently been built on what was once the dramatic palm-fringed beach at Cane Garden Bay. Sheila must be turning in her grave!

Fiddling While Rome Burns

Celebrating Dominica's 46 years of Independence.

I had in mind a painting on the theme of this post, but I've been too busy making emergency modifications to one of the island's water pumps. At least the community it serves can now celebrate having running water. A message from the water company's Head of Engineering reads as follows:

I greatly appreciate the professionalism with which you carry out your work. Many thanks for your speedy fabrication and modification of the parts. They are already installed and working. Thanks again for your excellent work.

If only the same appreciation could be shown for my attempts to have art and creativity high on the Ministry of Education's agenda. Out of 16 secondary schools on the island, only one acknowledged my offer of help. 

On the other hand, I've just received a message from a school in Bangladesh thanking me for my blog posts, books and videos.  

A move in the right direction.

 

My Notes for Lifeclass Students & Models and Notes for Art Students & Aspiring Artists.

A year ago I said goodbye to Amazon and became my own online publisher. It was a move in the right direction. They can no longer dip their hand into the proceeds from sales and dictate what they deem is permissible. 

As with my videos, it has been a steep learning curve, but with my son's help on the computer, I'm over the top. The books, as with my paintings and sculptures, are a work in progress. I update them as new ideas come to mind. For the price of US$5.00 readers have the benefit of my lifetime's experience and in turn, I welcome feedback on their creative triumphs and tribulations. 

My intention is to put passion back into art. I want to lure aspiring artists away from overly focusing on technique and slavishly copying from photographs. So be warned, the books are not for the faint hearted. I can already hear the scratching of censorious pens. 

With over 100 illustrations, Notes on the Nude compliments the books that opened this post.  

All of my books can be viewed and purchased at Studio Publications.

The Importance of Art & Creativity in Schools

Click on image to view video. If that fails, use this link: https://youtu.be/JEN2bpSbwzI

In Caribbean schools, as in many other places in the world, art is placed on the back burner turned down low. In my latest video I make a plea for placing it on the front burner turned up high.

Models, where art thou?

The model at a fleeting glance.

Before paper, paint and brushes, I need a model to inspire. In recent years, models on my small island of Dominica, have been few and far between. What with being blown away by hurricanes and going on to university, all have moved on. 

To give courage to those who may be tempted, all who have modelled for me over the past forty years give assurance that they cherish happy memories of being part of the creative process. 

A recent article of mine titled, Growing Old Disgracefully directed hundreds of Dominicans to my blog. Perhaps, within their numbers is my next inspirational model. 

Three remarkable ladies

Diane Lawrenson's sculpture of Anne Lister

The first of my remarkable ladies is Anne Lister who in earlier times lived within a mile of the village where I spent my childhood and teenage years.

The second, is Helena Whitbread. She also spent her childhood within a few miles of Anne Lister's home. Helena tells of her research into the life of Anne Lister, and of her own inspirational life story in two excellent video documentaries. One about Anne Lister  and the other, about her own life.   

The third is sculptress Diane Lawrenson. I award her sculpture my best alcollade, that being, I wish I'd have created that!

I can relate to what Diane says about her work.

To be a figurative sculptor working in a medium as eternal and solid as bronze, calls for extraordinary practical abilities and creative ambition. This is the medium of Rodin and the Renaissance masters. It requires experience and understanding of the alchemy: of turning flesh into clay, clay into metal and through a process of moulding, casting, refining and patination, resulting in a form and texture that conjures up the human presence once more.

I remember Shiden Hall, the home of Anne Lister, from school trips. But in those days lesbian relationships were not talked about. Our lesson began and ended with the history of the hall.

The Art of Suggestiveness

 My latest video is not for the faint hearted; and in particular, it is not for the faint hearted painters in watercolour. My brush dribbles and drips, and runs run amok, as I attempt to capture the naked beauty of the models in my series, Daughters of the Caribbean Sun.

The model featured in the video's title image, is the same model that is featured in one of my paintings that has been selected for a forthcoming definitive book on the nude in contemporary art. A message from the publishers reads:

The selection process for the book was incredibly competitive. However, your work stood out and sparked passionate discussions.  

Without models my work would not exist. That you Collean. I am pleased that the publishers have rewarded you for the afternoon when you sweltered under the tropical sun while I made this painting.

 

Collean

The suggestiveness of a sketch

A still from my forthcoming video The Suggestiveness of a Sketch

In art suggestiveness refers to the ability of a painting to be open to multiple interpretations, thus allowing viewers to enter the creative process and see the subject from their own perspective. 

In my way of painting, suggestiveness comes from giving watercolours the freedom they deserve. I allow washes to run as they may, and in doing so they add their own contribution. Speed, daring and an open mind are of the essence.

In Triplicate

 

Three preliminary clay sketches depicting Thea LaFond winning 

an Olympic Gold Medal for Dominica in the Triple Jump. 

After weeks of work, on the modelling stand in my studio are preliminary clay sketches depicting Thea LaFond winning an Olympic Gold Medal for Dominica in the Triple Jump. 

I have faced the difficulty of portraying rapid movement without the aid of flowing drapery and how to position the figures, from hop, to skip, to jump, so that at a fleeting glance they are seen as one in their flight above ground.

All I had for reference was a video clip showing Thea in action. By viewing the video hundreds of times at quarter speed, I was able to capture the essence of the few seconds between the hop, the skip and the jump. Below are some of the sketches I made from the video and my clay sketch of the final jump.

What happens next, is in the lap of the gods, or more correctly, in the lap of committees.