Exercise Three // Beth Carter

April 24 2020
Hi  Beth,  to kick off exercise one,  where are you? 

 I'm in my studio in Bristol.

 

How has your process changed since staying at home?

I felt pretty creativley paralised in the first few weeks, I'm used to working towards a show in stages and with a plan, so because we don't know how long it will take to be rid of this virus, I don't know if  the shows I have lined up will take place when scheduled, atlhough pretty unsetting at first, I'm very used to being solitary and this has actually gifted me an enforced pause and therefore time to dream and drift more which I have fully embraced!

 

Whats last or current song you listened to (no cheating, we all have naughty

comforts)?

 I get obsessed by certain song whilst making work - at the moment I have Real Life by Joan as Police Woman on continuous repeat, my husband can't believe I do that but it's true, I do! It holds me in a kind of constant emotional space.

  

and the last or current show/film/video you watched ?
 I saw the film 'Border' which blew my mind - gross and beautiful (a good combo) it's kind of contemporary folktale from Denmark - a love story really, it crosses so many borders conceptually, physically and genderwise, it's brilliant.

 

What are you reading right now?
 Just started 'Wanting' by Richard Flanagan.

 

What’s the last thing you cooked? (recipes welcome!)

 I'm ashamed to tell you the truth I literally just had cheese and peas for dinner, that's quite typical of what I eat at the studio :) I'm actually a good cook and do so a lot at home where meals are much more elaborate! But I have limited studio kitchen facilities...

 

 What's the next thing you are going to cook?

I've got polenta and leeks for breakfast....

 

If everything in your house was going to be the same colour what colour

would you choose?
 That's hard! I think a neutral stone colour - aiming for a tuscan vibe.
 
Which words or phrases do you most overuse  ?
 I think I say 'marvelous' quite a lot...
 
Do you have any superstitions?

I've caught one from my husband, who always salutes a magpie and says 'good morning captain' (not necessarily out loud but in your mind will apparently do). 

 

What makes you laugh (feel free to share any videos, memes, record a

joke, your pet)
 Children make me laugh

 

 Which artist-living or dead would you like to share your quarantine practice with? Why?

I have two! Paula Rego for the sheer energy of her imagination and her craft and Rodin - as he is the supreme sensual sculptural master!

  

Exercise 2

Write a drawing prompt you would like someone else to receive:

 Close your eyes and draw something you love.

 

We are probably going to get through a lot of these homework sheets - so

write a question for other people that you want to know the answer to ?
 Would your work be different if you knew NOBODY was ever going to see it except you?
 

We are putting together a mixtape -  what’s your go to song for dancing ? being in the studio? chilling out? falling in love?

Just for me by Al Green - played loud! Can't beat him for smooth grooves :)

Into the Ether - Leif Vollebekk

I could Drink a Case of You - Joni Mitchell


For  Exercise Three, we ask our artists to  pick one of the following subjects as a starting point to make some work using an A5 piece of paper/cloth/whatever you like to the size  with no restriction on media. These will be published on our website and available for £110 each.

  1. Still life: pick 3 items from your surrounding and recreate them

  2. Draw the last text you received/Page 15 from a book you are currently reading 7th sentence down

  3. Draw the last exhibition you saw/in style of the last exhibition you saw

 

 Check out Beth's exercise three piece here