Louisa Crispin

  • Home
  • About
  • Botanical
  • Nature Studies
    • Bee Studies
    • Butterflies Moths Dragonflies
    • Botanical Studies
    • Field Studies
    • FlightPath
  • Buy
    • Full Catalogue
    • Shop mini series (incl. bees)
    • Shop FP Sculptures
    • Shop FP minis
    • Shop Glimpse exhibition catalog
    • Kevis House Gallery
    • West End House Gallery
    • John Davies Gallery
    • NewArt Gallery
    • Muse Gallery
  • News
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Interviews and process videos
    • CountryLiving article
    • Studio Blog
    • FlightPath Community Project
    • Nature Blog
  • Links
  • Home
  • About
  • Botanical
  • Nature Studies
    • Bee Studies
    • Butterflies Moths Dragonflies
    • Botanical Studies
    • Field Studies
    • FlightPath
  • Buy
    • Full Catalogue
    • Shop mini series (incl. bees)
    • Shop FP Sculptures
    • Shop FP minis
    • Shop Glimpse exhibition catalog
    • Kevis House Gallery
    • West End House Gallery
    • John Davies Gallery
    • NewArt Gallery
    • Muse Gallery
  • News
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Interviews and process videos
    • CountryLiving article
    • Studio Blog
    • FlightPath Community Project
    • Nature Blog
  • Links

Studio blog

Join the FlightPath Community Project

7/6/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
UPDATE: Following the exhibition at  ACEarts Somerton in October 2022,  there are no plans to exhibit the collection at the present time. However you are still welcome to join in

More information below about the exhibition, the project and how instructions on how to take part are below

If you have a potential venue, this historical record gives an outline of the project potential - do get in touch!

Picture
The exhibition will be open for viewing Tuesday to Saturday from 22 October to 19 November between 10am and 5pm

I will be at the gallery on

Saturday 22nd October 10am-5pm

Tuesday 8th November 2-4pm

Wednesday 9th November 10am - 4pm


It would be lovely to see you there - no booking required

I will also be running 2 workshops in November - numbers are limited, so book early

Picture
Workshop 1 : DRAWING INSECTS
An exploration of drawing techniques


​Tuesday 8th November 5-7pm
This workshop will explore ways of looking and listening, understanding the anatomy of an insect and why this is important.

£30pp             Limited numbers, booking essential.
Book here
Picture
Workshop 2 : MIXED MEDIA: FLIGHTPATH

Wednesday 9th November 5-7pm
This workshop will explore ways to complete a FlightPath piece using collage, drawing, painting and other techniques, gaining inspiration from the pieces.  Ability to draw is not required!

£30pp             Limited numbers, booking essential.
Book here

Picture

About the #flightpathcommunityproject

The #flightpathcommunityproject began with a simple concept that has inspired so many to look at their own environment and reconsider their connections with nature.

A small piece of paper becomes a nature corridor. The graphite marks drawn by Louisa represent buildings, roads, paths, barriers to wildlife. Sent out into the world to encourage a closer look, each response forms a unique view, and highlights the variety and beauty of our micro world. From wildflower meadows to "weeds" in our cities, from gardens and allotments and derelict industrial sites, we have looked closely and discovered far more than we imagined.

Initially inspired by talks on Craftivism and the Buglife B-Lines project, this project draws from campaigns run by other nature charities that have been brought to our attention such as #beethechange (BumbleBee Conservation Trust) and #nomowmay (Plantlife) as well as The Big Draw #makethechange 2021 challenge. A close eye has been kept on COP26 (Glasgow 2021).

Drawing, painting, stitching, collage, cutting, printing - almost every form of art has been utilised to consider insect habitats and the barriers they face with climate change, food scarcity and habitat destruction. The research and emotions have been shared to give encouragement to all ages and generations have worked together to explore the environment and record their findings. We have learned not to take things at face value., we have learned to question, we've learned we don't need to be perfect but we do need to begin with small but determined changes in attitude and practice.

The project has inspired many conversations and opened our eyes to a positive future, created personal connections and given solace in difficult times. Social media, and Instagram in particular, has been key to this mail-art project, a platform for the worldwide contributors to grab a coffee and scroll through all the fabulous photos and videos, and read the impact directly presented by the participants. Simply follow the project hashtag - #flightpathcommunityproject

Overall we have connected across the garden fence, through Royal Mail and on our mobiles. We have inspired hope in each other and created some beautiful art.

"​I can honestly say there is something wonderful about each piece that I have held in my hands. At times it has been overwhelming - the art, the stories, the conversations and the hope that this project has given me. I wish you could all have shared in the excitement of opening the envelopes and looking closely at the inspirational work you have done. I feel privileged to be steering this project." ... Louisa Crispin, Project Creator.

The first exhibition of over 160 responses was shown at Kaleidoscope Gallery in November 2021. The Kent County Council Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Gallery is run as an artist led space by Sevenoaks Visual Arts Forum (SVAF)

These 160 responses will be joined by many others at ACEarts in Somerton, including a small artist collective from Princeton, New Jersey (USA) and community groups in Kent and Sussex

ACEarts is an Art Gallery and Education Charity whose principle aim is to provide art and creative activity to inspire, empower and enable people to develop and grow. Their exhibition programme provides a platform for local and national artists through themed exhibitions to represent a diverse approach to making
Deadline for returning concertina for exhibition at ACEarts has now passed. However you are welcome to join in at any time ... follow the instructions below

Instructions

This community project is intended to get you thinking about insects and their habitats.
  • I will create a supply of graphite marked paper cut into 60cm strips folded every 2.5cm (similar to the piece in the image below) - message me your postal address to receive a package ([email protected] or DM on instagram)
  • The graphite marks are reminiscent of concrete, roads and buildings, barren ground and other barriers to insect migration
  • I am asking you to draw or paint "wildlife" onto these pieces Their small size is intended to focus you to look closer at the small creatures as you draw, paint, print etc - insects, flowers, trees, meadows etc or maybe just the colours of nature - anything to represent a network of pollination pathways throughout the UK
  • While working, consider your own environment - is your garden wildlife friendly? How many insects have you seen today? Does your local park have areas where the grass is left to grow longer and wildflowers bloom? What are your favourite insects? Are you scared of wasps or spiders?
  • Check out #flightpathcommunityproject on instagram for ideas of how to complete your piece
  • Please share your thoughts, either by letter with the returned pieces and/or on social media. I will be sharing photographs on my own social media using the hashtag #flightpathcommunityproject
  • Return the pieces to: Oak Cottage, Talbot Road, Hawkhurst, Kent TN18 4LU
  • deadline: there is currently no deadline. Please keep up to date via social media or my newsletter
  • ​I will be gluing the returned lengths together with some of my own pieces to create a community wildlife corridor
  • Please join my mailing list to be kept up to date on project progress - click here and select the Flightpath Community Project list (and any others you may wish to receive). There is an unsubscribe option at the foot of all my emails.
  • Donations towards postage costs are welcome : "buy me a stamp" here
Picture
inspiration / ideas
Join the mailing list(s)
Donate to the project

​Louisa Crispin - the FlightPath Story

Louisa Crispin began drawing in 2010 and found herself focused on the minutiae in nature - lichen, bees, butterflies and small birds. This concentration on observational drawing bought back an interest in nature that had largely been suppressed since childhood.

The FlightPath story began in 2017 with a large wasp nest in Louisa's loft space. For most of the year the wasps happily moved to and fro via gaps in the tiles, occasionally finding their way into the house and waiting patiently to be let out of the window to carry on their work.

At this time Louisa was looking to broaden her drawing subjects and the sight of a dead wasp caught her eye, it's yellow body bathed in sunlight casting a long shadow across the window ledge.

The intense reaction to her wasp drawings started Louisa thinking. Why are we so negative about wasps, what is their role in nature? Gradually through research, one drawing at a time she found attitudes changing as people looked closer at her exquisite drawings and listened to their story.

2020 brought more time in her studio, exploring the materiality of graphite and paper while listening to radio, online talks and podcasts. Connecting through Instagram, two recommended talks brought about a change in mindset:
  • BBC Radio 4 Four Thought episode on "Craftivism- Gentle Protest" with Sarah Corbett
  • A Groundworks Gallery talk  "The Art and Science of Bugs" in association with charity Buglife
It was time to connect with a wider audience. 

During the pandemic Louisa discovered the power of Mailart through Bruton Correspondence School, Amanda Lynch and Clayhill Arts. When visitors to her 2021 solo show at Kaleidoscope Gallery in Sevenoaks were restricted by an extended lockdown she decided to launch her planned community project online via Instagram and Royal Mail. It hit a nerve and soon the requests to join in were overwhelming.

While continuing to develop her own work with sculptural 3d pieces, Louisa has steered this project, sharing the research, responses and thoughts through social media and gathering a community of like-minded people gently highlighting an important message. The first exhibition at Kaleidoscope Gallery in Sevenoaks was just one step in the journey for this popular project. You can view it below:
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Studio Blog

    When there's something  happening in the studio you might like to know.
    For current exhibition and purchase information click here

    If you would like irregular email updates for this blog and/or my Nature Diary or FlightPath Project, you can sign up here:
    Newletter Signup
    Past Newsletters

    Archives

    September 2024
    January 2024
    October 2023
    May 2023
    January 2023
    October 2022
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    September 2020
    July 2020
    August 2018
    May 2018
    March 2017
    November 2016
    June 2015
    June 2014

    Categories

    All
    Acearts
    Acorn
    Alexanders
    Allium Triquetrium
    Andrena Thoracica
    Ant
    Apis Mellifera
    Art Course
    Artists Residency
    Atlantic Coast Walk
    At The Edge
    Barbara Hepworth Studio
    Batcam
    Beatrix Potter
    Beethechange
    Bibliography
    Big Butterfly Count
    Blackthorn
    Blines
    Bombus Pascuorum
    Bombus Pratorum
    Bombus Terrestris
    Bookarts
    Botallack Mine
    Brassica
    Brisons Veor
    Brooklyn Art Library
    Buff-tailed Bumblebee
    Buglife
    Bumblebee
    Bumblebee Conservation Trust
    Bumblebee Identification
    Butterfly
    Bwars
    Cabbage White
    Cape Cornwall
    Carder Bee
    Carole Bury
    Caterpillar
    Charity
    Choughs
    Chris Wallbank
    Circular Walk
    Clayhill Arts
    Coast
    Coccinella Septempunctata
    Collaboration
    Community Project
    Concertina
    Conservation
    Contemporary Art
    Cornish Hedge
    Cornwall
    Cot Valley
    Cranefly
    Crayfish
    Cuckoo
    Daddy Long Legs
    Dave Gorman
    Drawing
    Drawing Nature
    Dung Fly
    Early Bumblebee
    English Oak
    Etching
    Exhibition
    FAPD
    Field Sketching
    Fifty Bees
    Fine Art Development Practice
    Fiona Hingston
    Fit Count
    Flickr
    Flightpath
    Flightpath Community Project
    Fly
    Flying Ants
    Found Materials
    Fragile Earth
    Free Painters And Sculptors
    Fungicide
    Gfsmith Paper
    Glimpse
    Glimpse Fps022
    Gorse
    Graphite
    Graphite Drawing
    Graphite Powder
    Grasses
    Halictus Maculatus
    Heath Bumblebee
    Hedgerow
    Hestercombe Gardens
    Honeybee
    Horsetail
    Hoverfly
    In Grandmothers Footsteps
    Insect
    Insecticide
    Insect Narrative
    Insect Odyssey
    Insect Watch
    Irecord
    Katherine Holmes
    Kenidjack Valley
    Kurt Jackson
    Ladybird
    Leather Jackets
    Leila Godden
    Lichen
    Linocut
    Linoprint
    Louisa Crispin
    Markmaking
    Mast Year
    Mesembrina Meridiana
    Messums
    Moths
    Muse Gallery
    National Gardens Scheme
    Natural History Museum
    Nature Books
    Nature Corridor
    Nettle
    Nic Pollard
    Nikki Gammans
    No Insectinction
    Noon Fly
    Oak
    Observational Drawing
    Oneofmanypostcard
    Open Press Project
    Palomena Prasina
    Paper Art
    Paper Sculpture
    Parasitic Wasp
    Periwinkle
    Pesticide
    Pests
    Pieris Rapae
    Plantlife
    Pollination
    Portobello Road
    Priest Cove
    Primrose
    Quantock Beekeepers
    Quercus Petraea
    Quercus Robur
    Quercus X Rosacea
    Ragged Robin
    Red List
    Red-tailed Bumblebee
    Residency
    Restriction
    Robur
    Rock Pool
    Rye Harbour Nature Reserve
    Salisbury Museum
    Salix
    Sally Baldwin
    Samuel Herbert
    Scathophaga Stericoraria
    Sea Anenome
    Seashell
    Seaweed
    Sennen Cove
    Sevenoaks Kaleidoscope Gallery
    Sevenoaks Visual Arts Forum
    Seven Spot Ladybird
    Shieldbug
    Silverpoint
    Sketchbook
    Sketchbook Project
    Sketching
    Slug
    Small White Butterfly
    Smyrnium Olusatrum
    Snail
    Society Of Wildlife Artists
    Solitary Bee
    Solo Show
    South Coast Path
    Specimen
    Spider
    Stag Beetle
    Stamp
    Steven Falk
    St Ives
    St Just
    Sunset
    Sussex Border Path
    Svaf
    Swanscombe Marshes
    Swift
    Swiftmapper
    Tate St Ives
    The Big Draw
    The Bridge Art School
    The English Womans Flora
    The Floating World
    The Plough Constellation
    Time Capsule
    Tin Mine
    Tipula Paludosa
    Tools
    Traditional Craft
    Transect Walk
    Ulex Sp
    Umbellifer
    Vespula Rupa
    Vinca Minor
    Violet
    Walk
    Walks Around St Just
    Wasp
    Wasps
    Waves
    Weevil
    Wet Strength Tissue Paper
    Whelk
    Wild Flower
    Wild Flowers
    Wildlife Corridor
    Wildlife Trust
    Wren

Louisa Crispin

Oak Cottage, Talbot Road, 
​
Hawkhurst Kent TN18 4LU (UK)
 ​07708 148413
[email protected]

Privacy Policy