drawing
Two separate line drawings laid together over the shearing shed floor timber slats
You need to have a creative practice in order to tackle a project no matter how large or small. It’s like being in training for a marathon, getting your body fit and ‘in the zone’ of activity. Sometimes projects have to be shelved until you have time to devote to them. That’s where a foundational practice helps you keep your vision alive, even when it is ‘resting’.
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Work in progress on a mangrove/tree collage
Hanging onto ideas of how to draw can keep you in a strait jacket. It’s often the way we are judged as a child; if you can draw then you’ll make a good artist. If not, forget it. Leaning to scribble and muck around is a constant challenge. That’s where a drawing group can help you dare to draw. This has a flow on effect in your ability to embrace imperfection.
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Hearts, Hands & Bodies (work in progress) - charcoal & ink on rice paper
What does it take to change public opinion? To change a government policy and advocate for protection rather than destruction. Drawing a visual representation of the hearts, hands and bodies of passionate advocates for change helps keep my hope alive. I take heart from the 1970s protest movements to stop the whaling industry. Whale watching rather than killing, forest bathing rather than old growth forest clear-felling. Change is possible.
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Mangrove drawing - charcoal and Derwent Inktense pencil on paper
My new drawing experiments I’ve been doing in the wetlands around my house have been totally liberating. I don’t try to draw what I see, I let what I see draw itself. It’s a collaborative process that embraces imperfection. In my books that’s achieving success.
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Pottsville wetland: shadow drawing
Collaborating with the elements is a great way to make art. Watermarks and shadows, mud and sand all leave patterns that are unique and of the moment. Letting go of control of your images means that the other than human elements can take part in your image making. It all becomes easy and effortless!
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The Caledonian Pine or Scots Pine tree seems to symbolise all that is tough and hardy about Scotland. Through it I feel the tug and pull of my DNA, my ancestors voices in the wind, calling. I wrote a poem which became a drawing and then a video. I love the way the artistic process unfolds as you work.
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