What I've been up to
Last time I wrote to you was for the new year, time flies and this time in really unexpected directions. But until recently life was kept busy 'as normal': studying part-time on my portraiture diploma, working as a life model and carving time in the studio when possible.
This term I spent Tuesdays exploring figurative sculpture with the brilliant Lara Ritosa-Robert and fantastic models (my gratitude to Gilda, Vanessa, Agni and Robert). We had a go at various materials trying to 'sketch' from life, capturing gesture in three dimensions. We teamed up and did an almost full body cast working with models. With the moulds, combining materials and techniques was endless (plaster, latex, paper pulp, thermosetting plastic, candles...). Each session filled my brain with possibilities and I'm looking forward to explore everything further.
We're not sure when the Grad Show will be possible (not in July as planned, probably closer to the end of the year). Either way, the brainstorming has started. Looking back at my work and sketchbooks I could see a theme emerging: they're full of kids and sleeping figures, slightly bored, day dreaming, cute and vulnerable, and exposed, likely to get hurt. My heart gets warmly attached to those little people I create, as if I had a responsibility to look after them. Language for the moments fails to clarify what I'm looking for, which is why I'll draw, paint (and sculpt) to investigate those gut feelings further. I'm looking forward for the work to be created, and for the opportunity to share everything with you.
If one things is 'my thing' it's probably drawing. I like its immediacy, the playfulness, the potential contained in so little (material wise). I had to pick a new sketchbook smaller than usual (A4 instead of A3) and it felt odd, it took time for me to 'bound' with this one. Now I have a few drawings in it registering precious moments, so I grew to like it too. But I happened to draw more outside of this sketchbook those last few months. I often feel less connected to those 'floating' drawings but they allow me to vary surface, medium and scale. I was lucky to draw from life almost weekly, switching the mechanical pencil for charcoal and pastels. And when drawings weren't going well, the energy and social aspect of the life room always added a lot of joy to my day.
I was honored to be asked to run life drawing sessions for Find Events in Brixton. We hosted four events, each time with wonderful models and participants. You read just above, I love drawing. And working from life. I find it a wonderful opportunity to connect to the present and the beauty of this unique moment. I love drawing to be fun and an exploration. When I teach, I try to pass on those ideas alongside exercises and tools to help us solve the puzzle that's in front of us. I want people to experience that there's not one way to draw, nor that it has to be a linear process. I'm probably throwing a lot of difficult concepts at once in those sessions, but hopefully some will resonate individually and allow us to find new ways to look, to draw. I'm really grateful for those Thursday evenings.
Boat! Haha that has probably been the biggest change in my life lately (even though it's a tiny boat). To be honest, I was struggling with London. It's a fantastic city in many ways, but I didn't realise how anxious I had become, with most of it due to this crazy pace/framework. The idea of moving onto a boat to live on the canal grew quickly and strongly in me, and in a few months became a reality. So yes, I'm still in London but for the first time in a place that I call home. And nothing like the water to unwind. The days were still long and busy, but most of the stress left at the door. I love my boat, I'm so glad I have him, especially in those times.
That is roughly how 2020 started :)
