Drawing Connections at ARTOTS Holland

Micrographity May 2019 Hertogenbosch

The exhibition evolves from an initial group discussion formed around the tangling of words microgravity and drawing concerns. Using simple graphic art materials to generate a process of drawings, how do physical laws appear to the eye?  Disrupt - a moment of change...a micro force.

One tiny moment of impact generates a physical process that continues beyond its source.

Making a series of immediate studies from that instant I notice each is different, each time changing. Energy forms change as they spread, altering from one form to another.

Layers of change develop, gravity affecting forms and deforming, multiplying or disapating, spread, each repeat differs. There is symmetry in this natural force. A memory of a previous trip to Amsterdam, in the Contemporary Museum of Architecture that is surrounded by water, listening to the gentle lapping sounds of 'Slow Moves' by Jose Gonzales that filled the space.

These thoughts dictate both the drawing activity and materials; fluid charcoal, dust, ink, speed, graphite, smudge. Mondrian's rational geometry and observations of the ocean edge become a starting point.

My drawings are continuing from Mondrian's sense of a returning equilibrium, it is this power of intrigue of the moment present in each distinct study from which they evolve.

Disrupt i - 24.4.2019 Charcoal on paper

Sound Drawing and connections to Abstract Drawing

Listening again to my Sound Drawing 2013. I was showing it with my abstract drawings over the two day Oaks Park Open Studios this summer. It sounds a lot better in a big space.

Sound Drawing and closed sketchbook from Snowdonia Long Drawing

A sample can be found here:

https://soundcloud.com/sound-out-loud/up-20high-20walk-20-20track#t=0:21

The two days were packed with discussions. A little lad listening with his dad explained ( after his dad enquired about my sound drawing) ' The sounds are like charcoal and the drawings and the logs are burnt on the fire to make the charcoal', it's wonderful the way children can grasp easily just what they see.
I love this photo taken by Helen Goodwin of the MA show set up, as Alison Carlier and me dance to a section of sound drawing with the rhythm of fast walking downhill.

As a lady walks into the room she notices the trees outside and my quick tree sketches, as we discuss the Sound Drawing she recalls the memory of being unwell one day on holiday and remaining in her room became fascinated by the ever changing qualities of tree outside the window. On her return home, the photograph she took as a reminder was extremely disappointing, it captured nothing of her fascination. Every individuals memory of a place contains much more than the click of a static camera.

Passing By

Drawn on Site

I have been given the opportunity to take over an empty shop for a one week drawing residency. Invited by Transition Dorking, a voluntary, environmental group I will be drawing on site in the shop throughout the week with Alison, another MA Drawing student. We have decided to make work directly in response to our surroundings, passers-by will be able to pop in and see how the work progresses, hopefully it will.

Day 1.

Wondering how to make drawings, surrounded by these bizarre silver striped interior walls and feeling awkward drawing alone in here with my back to the open door. Eventually I made a word piece called Passing By.

Passing by

Trolley and two green carriers
White bag tucked under his arm
Tweed and a book
Blue waterproof and orange carrier
White stripes and blue backpack
Striding and swinging shopping
Red top and black briefcase
No-one
Blue raffia and rolled mat
Grey hair and green mac
Two up, two down
All black with checked scarf
Blue and blue stripes
Green bag, brown bag
Two matching apple green macs
Long mac and white carrier
Small boy swinging shopping
Two in black with one bright green carrier
Chatting ladies and shopping trollies
Three carriers and a grey jacket
Clattering shoes, swinging a bag
Pushing mobility trolley, slowly
Quickly, two large boxes on his shoulder
Return of red top with two new bags
Black coat and large white paper carrier
Two together, red cotton bag between
All in black with papers and huge black bag
Turquoise legs
Pink legs
Two brown coats and two sticks
Speedy, spotty trolley
Traffic sounds
Two pass quickly, big strides
Plastic covered pushchair, purple coat pushing
Four up, one down
All brown, hood up
White ear phones, white bag
Balanced orange carriers, striding
Small in pink passing zebra umbrella
Slow walk, swinging wide cotton bag
Three under one large black umbrella
Red top, grey shorts… postman
Two, woolly hoods up
Four down, mostly in green

  Thursday's drawings

Friday, We are both surprised and excited in the direction the drawing has taken, just curated the show for tomorrow. 

Installed in the National Gallery

Installing TQ 15807 53205 - Charcoal on paper Approx 82cm wide x 200cm long. 2013

Drawn after walking, noticing, connecting, differences on a local walk.

Presentation One

Suspension series

Charcoal on paper

Charcoal on paper

Pigment on paper

Pigment on paper

Pigment on paper