Porthmeor Residency
July 2022
After graduating from my arts degree, I was awarded through my university a month long residency at Porthmeor Studios, St Ives. I shared No 9. Studio with 4 other fine art graduates, all lucky enough to have that picturesque and iconic sea view from our studio window. The studios at Porthmeor are brimming with history and it can’t be helped to feel excited about working in such an important place for artists and the Cornish community. This month was a period of transition for me, having a space to work and play no longer as a student but as an artist. Having studied at St Ives Painting School, it was a joy to return the place where I first learned oils, and see my progression and grown confidence with the medium.
Daily Life
My days started and ended with the commute from Falmouth to St Ives. Whilst seemingly the uninteresting part of my day, the winding roads, hills and back passages that I came to discover where a huge part of informing my colour palette and mood in my work. This past July, was blessed with a range of weather - dramatic stormy seas to golden flooded sunsets all of which I experienced on my drives.
Being able to work in the studios all hours was a true gift and if arriving early enough, I was able to see the high tide almost drowning the view of the beach below. It felt almost as if the studio was a cabin on a boat and created a real confrontation of the outside world vs. my cozy little studio. It was also strange to see the difference between the quiet and peaceful hours in the morning and evening and the bustling hullabaloo of the crowds of holiday goers outside our doors.
Personally, my intention with the residency was clear from the beginning: to reconnect with the idea of space and landscape and how it can in turn relate the female form. After my 3 years of working on the subject of pain, I wanted to give myself the chance to have a break and see where my interests could bridge to. I grounded myself in photography and sketching, particularly taking interest in the rocks and forms on Porthmeor beach. As a studio, our work ranges from painting to film, collections and digital recordings, to abstract sculpture. Having never worked with each other before it was great to share new ideas and processes, exploring St Ives, swimming, walking and grabbing a late night dinner together.
Paintings and sketches
I fell in love with this couch during my residency. Included in the studio space of No 9. was this old, lumpy burgundy coloured couch. The form of the cushions just made you want to sink into it and adjoin your forms. I also became really interested in the relationship of the inside outside. With the heat coming in from the window, it was hard not to want to join others on their holidays lying on a beach but at the same time enjoy the privacy and tranquility of being an onlooking for within the stoney walls.
Activities
During the Third week, I was able to go on a day exploring with friends and fellow artists, walking from our studios to the mermaid of Zennor and led by local artist Ruben Storey. Due to the recent fires on the headland route we took a detour up above the headland, over the fields before reaching Zennor itself.
This was a real highlight of the residency as it gave me a whole new perspective of St Ives. Between the captivating rock formations, amazing panoramic views and tiny hidden paradises guarded by a gate of bamboo, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and inspirational day. We spent most of the day exploring, and the feeling of escaping the crowds of the town below, almost lost in the greenery was liberating. I have always found walking an amazing way to break up the process of painting. Channeling the energy into new spaces allowed me to come back with fresh eyes and excitement.
To finish off our time at Porthmeor, we arranged a small open studios and dinner party for the other residents in Porthmeor. It was such a warm and generous community of artists at Porthmeor that let us into their space for a short time, and it was wonderful to share feedback and get to connect. We finished off that evening with drinks on the beach and a beautiful sunset to close off the month.
This residency was such a rich and wonderful experience and an invigorating step into the professional world. I look forward to continue working the materials and ideas I was able to collect during my time. The fellow residents and artists both working at Porthmeor and in the town were so welcoming and generous with their time and wisdom. Special thanks to Chris for looking after us so well.