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It's Simply Drawing

25/5/2015

Studying something intently by trying to draw it completely changes our point of view, not only of the object but, subtly, of ourselves as well. Looking deeply at one petal of a flower head we realise that it is uniquely different to every other petal we have ever seen. Not only on that flower, but on every flower in the known universe. Think of that. A miniscule variation in shape, colour, light or reflection renders each petal matchless and irreplaceable. We could say the same about everything we see, including each other. Even mass produced objects will be somehow distinctive from one another.

I do believe that accurate drawing is a skill that can be learnt – and taught - relatively easily, and also that it has many benefits beyond immediate pleasure. With practice and discipline it leads not only to the satisfaction of capturing the world around us, but also to a whole new way of relating to it. Spending time creatively is always an investment in ourselves, and a gift to those we interact with.

Knowing that, how can we see the world in the same way ever again?

How can we look the other way and ignore wanton destruction?

The practice of simply drawing things around us can lead to revelations such as this. It’s not even necessary to make ‘good’ drawings. They will improve over time, and that in itself is satisfying, but the effort and concentration accurate drawing takes can transport us to deeper realms if we let it.

Simply drawing can be a gateway to so many creative paths. Gift yourself with a small blank book that will fit in your pocket or handbag, and draw something – anything – in it for five minutes every day. Be inspired by the world around you and you will begin to see it as you never have before.

Classes Update; Tuesday 26th and Friday 29th of May will be the last classes for a couple of weeks. I am going to the UK, so we’ll resume on the 23rd and 19th respectively.

Just to remind you, on Tuesdays I have a class at Le Meridien in Balluta Bay. I give exercises and projects to help everyone overcome any problems they might have with drawing or watercolour. It can be less daunting to work like this for a while before tackling outdoor subjects, as you can build up a ‘toolkit’ of approaches and methods first. We meet in the KuDeTa lounge near reception and the class will continue throughout the summer. I am looking forward to the A/C as well as the fun the classes always are !!
10am – 12.30pm, 20 euro per session, 23 with watercolour materials provided.

On Fridays we meet in the fabulous grounds of Villa Bologna in Attard. Every week I give the group a challenge or challenge or a way of working that I think is helpful and inspirational, then I help everyone to achieve it in their own way. The group includes all abilities, from those who have painted for years to absolute beginners. Working in a group like this means that we can see how others tackle the same subject and how we can try different methods. We work mainly in watercolours, which are just so easy to carry around - and I find them fun and forgiving to work with too. I encourage 'cheating' ie - any method which gives you a good result is fine! People can bring any medium they prefer though.
10am – 12.30pm, 20 euro per session, 23 with watercolour materials provided.

When the weather gets really hot we might move the sessions to evenings.

As well as the flower shop and the pottery shop there's a lovely 'secret' cafe in the grounds and the Veg Box, which sells organic vegetables on Tuesday and Friday morrnings.

For more info contact me HERE

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Drawing Our Emotions Out

13/5/2015

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'Axis Mundi' mixed media

We respond to the world around us through our emotions. We feel these emotions in our bodies, as they are physical things, not simply imagined scenarios that run through our heads. We say ‘I feel sad’ or ‘I feel afraid’ and we really can feel physical symptoms.

Extreme fear often stirs up a sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach, maybe a dry mouth, perhaps palpitations. Everything around you might feel dangerous and suspicious. Feelings of joy or love are often felt higher up in the body – think of ‘light-hearted’ or ‘heart-warming’; you want to smile and your eyes twinkle. Everything feels safe and good.

Events and people around us trigger these feelings, but so can our thoughts. Think about something very sad, and then very happy, and notice how your body reacts. Everyone is different of course, and we have personal reasons to react in individual ways, but there are common responses which we can all identify with to some extent.

An exercise I like to give students asks them to make marks to represent specific emotions. I ban any symbols – hearts, stars, zigzags, smiley faces – and especially spirals. Spirals are commonly used to show movement. Nature moves in spirals; just think of water going down plugs. They form the basic pattern of our world, which is why the symbol is so common in prehistoric cave art. They are also a common doodle pattern.

In this exercise though, no symbols are allowed. I lead everyone into feeling each emotion in their bodies. Not the story that caused the feeling, but the physical residue of it. I ask them to feel where it is inside them, and then to channel that into their hand and then their pencil. The marks that emerge instead of symbols are always interesting.

Although each set of marks feels very personal and raw, it is fascinating that when we compare them afterwards they are often very similar. For example, ‘calm’ marks are – not always but often – long and horizontal. No wonder we are so soothed by horizontal images of landscapes and seascapes. It seems to be an innate human mark, and we often ‘know’ this without realising it.

The series of marks in the exercise seem to tap into a very deep place within. Everyone’s will be a little different of course; we all have our own experiences and our own ways of dealing with and feeling specific emotions. ‘Fury’ is often dark, jagged and heavy. ‘Fear’ might be sinking, small and against one side or other of the page.

These marks can obviously be powerful and revealing, and of great interest to therapists. I am not a therapist, although I know that art and creativity are definitely therapeutic. I would not dream of ‘reading ‘ these marks; I believe it’s better for us to interpret them ourselves with a little guidance.

The point of doing this exercise with my students is twofold; realising that we naturally make common marks to represent our emotions can help us to read more into other artist’s work, especially abstracts.

Secondly, using this exercise to make marks when we are feeling a strong emotion can really help to shift it in our bodies. For example, if you are very nervous about something, making a page of nervous marks (remember, no symbols) can really help to move that ‘butterfly’ flutter in the stomach. Carrying these emotions in our bodies can be physically harmful if we do it habitually. In time they can turn into symptoms and even illnesses. Stress can underlie ulcers, for example. Literally drawing them out is certainly a harmless way of helping to release some of our pent up emotions in a creative and positive way.

'I Burn For You' acrylics on canvas

untitled - mixed media

The paintings I have included in this blog are all quite abstract..... if I were to ‘read’ them I would say that they all seem pretty fluid. Maybe my emotions are!

'Depth of Emotion' mixed media

'Full Moon in Libra' watercolour

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