‘Paint Fit’ was a course that I invented in February 2021. The idea grew out of a realisation that many artists have the time, a studio space but sometimes lack the self belief, a routine and momentum to really push on with their work through the difficult stages. The support of like minded people helps, but having a Paint Fit ‘coach’ to get them going and not allow them to lose their focus and ambition seemed to be the missing ingrediant.
For an hour each morning, online, over 2 weeks I talked, motivated, demonstrated and gave them tools and processes to help them use the resources that they already had. I unpacked the process and stages of making a body of work. After the hour together we were warmed up and ready to spend the rest of the day in our studios working in a focused, positive way. We had made the commitment to be uncompromising and playful; open to the new possibilities of what might come up as we worked.
In February 2022 I taught Paint Fit again and worked with some wonderful artists who were very open and excited to be part of a group that shared and supported one another. This online exhibition shows how the course inspired them and has continued to feed their practise and help them make the paintings that they wanted to do. We still meet and encourage each other to be brave, bold and ambitious with our painting.
I will be teaching another 2 week Paint Fit course from October 31st – November 4th and November 7th – 11th 2022. Further details can be found here.
Emily Ball August 2022
