The past few weeks, the ball has started rolling. Meetings and conversations with key people, door-knocking and handing out flyers in Kirkdale and getting to know the Kirkdale Neighbourhood Community Centre (also known as The Gordon)…
The flyer that we used to initiate the consultation and creative process with the Kirkdale residents looks like this:
And here’s the other side:
We have no idea who or how many will turn up next week, which is half-term in Liverpool. I’m keen to just start these sessions and meet people properly. I had a few interesting conversations when door-knocking. Apparently the streets and the neighbourhood have changed quite a lot in terms of friendliness and people talking to each other. Some of the houses are empty now; a couple are falling down (this is why we can’t paint the end of Crocus Street). In years gone by there were promises made that never came to fruition; it’s been a learning experience for me and this is just the beginning. I’ve been conversing quite a lot with the poet leading some of the workshops, Dr Pauline Rowe, who has years of experience of working with artists and community groups.
Progress in visuals
To prepare for my contribution the workshops and also to get me ready for the murals, I’ve done this painting sketch below. I’m not sure if I will make the background like this, which is why I haven’t finished the leaves. But I’m really pleased with my new heavy body acrylics.
I’ve also been putting together the visual images for the second Pansy wall, which will be like a secret garden with a pathway to a tree of life.
And also the second Woodbine wall, which will be an arbour interwoven with honeysuckle with all sorts of birds in and around it. I was thinking of a scene with water - either the sea or a lake - in the archway section - maybe I can survey opinions from the residents throughout the coming weeks.
Drawing and designing
I’ve talked to a local primary school head and arranged an art workshop with schoolchildren. Getting all the visual teaching material ready for that has been really nice.
It seems that drawing very small things comes before painting very big things. I’ve also designed some more “colourable” bookmarks for my Pansy art session coming up on Thursday 16th February. Come along if you like!
New Hashtag! #FlowerStreetsMurals
Yesterday at a communications strategy meeting, we came up with a hashtag to attach to all photos and media related to this project. Can you see it at the bottom of my new Pansy bookmarks?
Workshops - word and art sessions at the KNC
Next week will be busy for me, and the following two Saturdays! I’m both nervous and excited; I just want everyone to have a good experience and have a chance to be listened to and involved. If you live locally and are interested, please turn up. There’s plenty of parking on nearby streets and there's lots of frequent buses from nearby Liverpool city centre.