Creative Chat ‘n’ Blog – Genevieve Rudd

Listen to Genevieve’s podcast episode here.

On the day I spoke to David, with Marian Savill, it was the one year anniversary of the first Lockdown. Whilst it wasn’t timed to be the start of the blog series, as far as I’m aware (!), it did shape the drift of our conversation. But then again, has anyone been talking or thinking about anything other than COVID-19 for the past year? It has felt completely all encompassing, but the conversation with the three of us reminded me that taking the time for social connection can help put things into perspective.

A photo of artist Genevieve Rudd smiling with a Waveney & Blyth art trail leaflet.

As an artist, I have lots of ways to keep my mind occupied, but Lockdown has been universally energy sapping. Despite this, the lack of usual habits or access to resources gave way to inventiveness. This is something that chimed with Marian too. Both of us thrifty at the best of times, it was inspiring to hear how she also found new life for unwanted stuff, and how this connected with her wider lifestyle values around veganism and reducing waste.

Lockdown has encouraged more ‘localised’ thinking on the whole – such as doorstep clapping, mutual aid groups and window rainbows – we’ve all been forced to re-consider our relationships to our immediate environment. For many, this has been a suffocating experience, and for others, it has given a sense of freedom from their daily slog. Whatever the situation, it’s brought us all face-to-face with our own domestic reality in very close detail. For me, that detail has shown me the value in simplicity. 

Marian was inspiring to talk to; I’d never heard of ‘doodads’, but she has been doing #A100DaysOfDoodads. These mini sculptural pieces are made from tomato puree tubes, scrap fabric, threads, leaves, wire, stones and all sorts of things she found around her home over the past few months! I love this ethos and in my own practice, I have been exploring approaches with foraged, edible and recycled materials, and in turn, making my practice more sustainable. This explorations have predominantly been using Cyanotype and Anthotype photography, using plants and compost from my garden. 

‘Soil Circles’ 1 of 6. Cyanotype photographic print made using collected rainwater, home-made compost, recycled paper and sunlight, 5th-6th March 2021. Copyright Genevieve Rudd.
‘Soil Circles’ 1 of 6. Cyanotype photographic print made using collected rainwater, home-made compost, recycled paper and sunlight, 5th-6th March 2021. Copyright Genevieve Rudd.

This year has been many things, but one silver lining has been the time spent exploring and treasuring the small overlooked details of life, particularly in relation to the natural world. This year, I’m running an Arts Council England funded project, Yarmouth Springs Eternal, in partnership with original projects; in Great Yarmouth. We’re nurturing relationships with the natural world found in overlooked places through walking and art-making. If there is one thing I’ll keep from this last year, it’s to embrace simplicity, and from Marian, it’s the ‘use what you already have’ mentality! 

Written by artist, Genevieve Rudd.

Links:

Listen to Genevieve’s podcast episode here.

Read about Genevieve’s project Lets Take a Walk here.

Art of #CovidChat

Image reads "The Art of Covid Chat - Creative Conversations - Summer 2021". Behind the text is the image of coronavirus cells on a white background.
Image reads “The Art of Covid Chat – Creative Conversations – Summer 2021”. Behind the text is the image of coronavirus cells on a white background.

A new MarketPlace/ DMJ Imagery Ltd podcast series

For many creative practitioners, the Lockdown period during 2020 and 2021 was both a stressful challenge and a opportunity for experimentation and learning. Inevitably, this has raised questions about what we do, how we do it and most importantly, why we do what we do.

In the Art of #CovidChat, Chatteris based filmmaker and podcast producer, David Johnson (DMJ Imagery) had the idea of hosting ‘creative conversations’ with artists from our Inkling and Connect micro-commissions.

Pictured is a photo of David Johnson (DMJ Imagery) with his camera.

David wanted to explore how artists have coped with transferring their skills and practice to online workshops, digital technology and downloadable resources. He also wanted to discuss how they managed to continue the creative sharing process despite not being able to be in the same physical space as workshop participants.

The podcasts include a great line-up of artists discussing music, writing, digital technology, fine art and performance.

The creative conversations launched on podcast platforms early this summer. Listen to them below.


Listen to the podcast series below:

Episode 1

Read the transcript of Episode 1 here.

This episode David Johnson interviews artists Genevieve Rudd and Marian Savill. The topic for this episode is Mixed Media Arts. They discuss:-

  • Permission to be an artist
  • Cyanotype & anthotype
  • The changing of art materials and the impact of recycling

Read Genevieve’s blog post here.

Read Marian’s blog post here.


Episode 2

Read the transcript for Episode 2 here.

David Johnson interviews poet and writer Leanne Moden and writer Belona Greenwood. The topic for this episode is Poetry and Written Word. They discuss:-

  • Initial process to start writing
  • The effects of lockdown
  • Learning new skills during the last year

The challenge:

  • To write a short poem
  • Short story about a stone

Read Leanne’s blog post here.

Read Bel’s blog post here.


Episode 3

Read the transcript for Episode 3 here.

This episode, David Johnson interviews environmental artist Kaitlin Ferguson and publisher and illustrator Ric Savage. The topic for this episode is Use of Video in Art Projects. They discuss: –

  • How they learned to create videos
  • Their experiences of using videos in their work
  • Missing the audience engagement

The challenge:

  • Record the changes of nature using video
  • Capture something about you
  • Additional challenge – Film a one-minute elevator pitch

Read Kaitlin’s blog post here.

Read Ric’s blog post here.


Episode 4

Read the transcript for Episode 4 here.

This episode, David Johnson interviews singer/ music leader Sally Rose and artist Michelle Brace. The topic for this episode is Music and Technology. They discuss:-

  • What is VJ-ing?
  • Music and Mental Health
  • Folk music in the Fenland area

The challenge:

  • Go for a walk and listen to the rhythm of your feet as you move
  • Get two images – patterns/textures and digitally blend them or collage them.

Read Sally’s blog post here.

Read Michelle’s blog post here.

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