Weeks 2 - 3

Exercise 2 - Abstract Paintings

I put this painting exercise together as a way of further engaging and encouraging patients with less confidence in their own creative abilities. First, I wrote down a series of familiar emotions/feelings on separate slips of folded paper before placing the words into a

cup. Next, I drew 3 shapes; a circle, a square and a triangle, onto individual slips of paper and put these into a separate
cup. Finally, I prepared limited colour palettes of red yellow, blue and black and white and a selection of multicoloured paper, before presenting this set of materials to individual patients.

The rules of this exercise are as follows:

1. Pick a single word from the first cup.

2. Pick a single shape from the second cup.

3. Consider the emotive word selected (e.g. 'Anger') - how might this be represented visually using only the shape (e.g. triangle) selected? 

4. Considering these factors, choose a sheet of paper (colour of patient's choice) and no more than  1 or 2 colours (also of patient's choice) from the palette provided.

This project was an experiment but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. The patients produced some beautiful quick abstract paintings (which may be of use later on in the storytelling project) and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the task:

Weeks 1 - 2

The first few weeks of the project have really just been about discussion and fun creative activity. The enthusiastic response of patients taking part so far has been amazing and I've really enjoyed listening to their individual stories, which range in theme from heartfelt and emotional to completely eccentric...! (Note: The storytelling element of this project is very broad and completely open to interpretation - stories don't necessarily have to be personal or about CF). Any story shared is brilliant and important and I really appreciate the input from patients who have shared them with me :)

This past few weeks also saw us try some initial creative exercises which aim to remove preconceptions about what is 'valid' or 'proper' art, particularly with patients who weren't particularly confident in their creative ability. As I've mentioned previously, I believe that anybody can make art and have fun with it. The first lot of exercises we did had every participating patient in hysterics, which is also a bonus....

Exercise 1 - Drawing with eyes closed:

This exercise simply involves a pen, paper, memory and imagination! Myself and the patients took a pen and pad of paper each. The rules are to draw a familiar animal/object in under 30 seconds with eyes completely closed (no peeking). Below are some of the results, which I personally think are fantastic. Can you tell what they are?

 Selection of quick, eyes closed drawing exercises produced by myself and the patients.

We followed this exercise with another silly drawing task - the patients and I drew 30 second portraits of each other without looking at the paper, focusing solely on the subject, with often hilarious results....

 Patients' quick, no looking at the page, portraits of me, which I must admit were often surprisingly accurate!

 

 Selection of my quick, no looking at the page, portraits of patients....

Aside from being silly fun, this exercise works as a great warm up and the 'eyes closed' element removes all notions of 'proper' creative competence. Though I am a trained artist I think this

 an be detrimental in this task and often think the patient's work turns out better than my own!

I'm really looking forward to doing more of these exercises and seeing what new recruits to the project come up with.

Hello!

Hello! And welcome to the CF Illustration Project Blog. 

Taking place on the Cystic Fibrosis ward at the University Hospital South Manchester, this narrative-themed project aims to encourage and support patients to share and visualise their individual stories via discussion and fun creative activities. 

My name is Kim Thompson and I'm a Freelance Illustrator based in the North West. Lead by Lime Arts and Health, I am honored to have been selected to take part in the CF Illustration project and will be providing creative support and guidance for all patients interested in taking part in the project.

For any patients interested but not yet involved, it's not too late! I'll be on the ward every Wednesday and Thursday between 1pm and 5pm until May 2015 and I'm always happy to come and have a chat about what you might like to contribute. Please rest assured that this project is not just for those with natural creative ability but for everybody - I truly believe that anybody can produce great art and I have lots of tips and tricks I can share with you to prove it! 

I'll be using this blog to document our activities in relation to the project, feel free to contact me with any questions about getting involved/ the project in general at:

kimthompson@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks and best wishes,

Kim Thompson