Start At The Beginning

Six months ago I had the privilege of working with my model, David who I’ve been working with for 10 years, the artist Marc Rees and filmmaker George Morris. On the first day I drew David in The Brangwyn Hall, which is an amazing place, built in the 1930s for the magnificent Brangwyn panels. On the first day I drew David, who was nude – we had screens around us as The Brangwyn Hall is a public space. I used newspaper and brown packing paper with chalks, charcoal and conté crayons and did about half a dozen drawings. This is where it all starts. I used newspaper and brown paper because these are working drawings, not finished pieces and if I’d used expensive, hand-made paper I would have been inhibited. At the end of the day I chose this drawing to turn into a monotype over the next couple of days.

George has produced a short film of our experience. I’m gobsmacked at how he’s edited such a cool film from three days of footage. Please check it out here….

“Nawr Yr Awr \ Now The Hero is an immersive theatrical experience that will take the audience on an extraordinary journey through three intertwining narratives of war; from Celtic history, the First World War, and today’s conflicts. 

Drawing on an epic poem, some rejected paintings, and an intimate portrait of a Swansea soldier serving today,  Marc Rees’ bold production brings the stories of war to life, but counterpoints the tragic telling with hope.”