Blog

Valuable Distractions

I had all good intentions of going in the studio, finishing a new painting and posting it on here this evening. Instead old friends popped round for an unexpected catch-up. We ended up chatted for hours over multiple cups of tea, leaving no time for painting.

Reflecting on a week where I’ve spoken to a number of friends who are really struggling with life changing bad news, this long, lazy Sunday afternoon of conversations with good friends seems like a much more valuable use of time. I’m glad it took priority over painting.

So here’s a painting from a little while ago that seems to reflect my current February mood:

Doubling The Drawing Challenge

We doubled last night’s life-drawing challenge by having two models instead of one. Jane and Ann stuck a series of short poses with the common theme of emotions. We then tackled two longer poses with varying results within the room.

The challenge of drawing two models who are connected in pose is the need to work fast to capture as much as you can and make sense of what you’re seeing.

We always talk about the drawing process being as important as the end result – well that’s good, as my results were poor this week. My proportions were out and my quality of line, and tonal work were off form tonight. I’m hoping it’s a blip and a reflection of the double drawing challenge rather than a reflection of my potentially my meds becoming less effective.

45 minute sketch – Jane sitting, Ann lying.
30 minute sketch. Jane standing, Ann sitting.

What Makes Us: Memories and Dreams….

At life-drawing last night the model whilst looking at our sketches said she thought the artist’s representation of the model says a great deal about how they see themselves, and their self image.

I’ve been attempting to explore a related idea through some experimental work. I’m building a collage from images, creating layers of visual references relating to memories, the present, and how I saw the future.  Gradually the piece is developing a 3D nature. Through the layering process images are being painted over and covered by other images. This feels appropriate – our self image changes and has to adapt. Memories,  hopes and dreams are superseded but they don’t go away – they continue to make us who we are and affect the way we see our world.

This is early stage wip – I’ll post more as it evolves.

img_4176
Work In Progress. Mixed media collage

Finding my inner ‘Viking’!

On a sunny day in August 2018 I found myself a Datscan to confirm what I already had been told: You have young onset Parkinson’s disease. My arms looked weak and I felt generally under attack.

Since my formal diagnosis in September I’ve been through all to predictable and reliable stages of grief. The dark days are still there, but I’ve decided to try to ‘own’ this disease, harness it and make something positive from it.

I’ve upped my exercise and signed up to a London to Paris bike ride (see Just Giving link below), and have I’ve kicked of “Painting with Mr P”.

To remind me to stay positive and take courage from my ‘inner viking’, I’ve committed to a lasting visual talisman, my Valkyrie. What a difference six months can make:

January 2019

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/barnesbate