With just a few days before the concert, I am frantically painting… painting… painting… to find the best and most practical way of creating the illustrations live on stage in time to the music.
Tchaikovsky’s scores are so passionate, I really want to try to do some kind of justice to them; but it’s not easy with some pieces as they are so short! (Piotr… why didn’t you linger a bit longer?).
Last year there were just five paintings, created in emulsion paint on black boards. Very dramatic, and just right for “Spooky Tunes” (the theme last year). But this year there will be eleven paintings (yes! I know! it’s mad!), and I want something more graceful and balletic. After trying everything I can think of: Pastels (too noisy; easily smudged), emulsion again (too crude; slow to dry), marker pens (too squeaky), I have settled on inks and brush: fast and silent (but with a danger of drips!). And every colour paper imaginable has been sampled…
Whatever I end up using, there will be no stone left unturned by Sunday. It’s a massive undertaking, but I am enjoying the process. And I am finally letting go of the idea that I should be creating “great art” for my ego, and welcoming the idea that actually I’m entertaining children. I need to produce images that have clear characters and compositions that truly illustrate the story and help them follow the narrative.
And so… last rehearsal tonight, then a final run-through Sunday morning before the two shows. Here are some of the various stages so far… and a chance to see just how messy an artists studio can be!
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