A Political Woman

I travelled up the Rhondda Valley this evening to The Workers Gallery in Ynyshir where Leanne Wood, the leader of Plaid Cymru (The Welsh Party) chaired a debate between academics Simon Brooks and Daniel Williams about nationalism in Wales . It was very interesting although a bit on the academic side for me, but I guessContinue reading “A Political Woman”

A Face, A Story

Older women shouldn’t be invisible. I’m combining my daily practice sketch with drawing from pictures of elder women because of the ageism that their generation suffers. I know that elders of both genders have problems to face, but it seems that they are compounded for older women. Not so long ago the BBC dumped aContinue reading “A Face, A Story”

They’re Fab!

I am carrying on with the 10 minute sketches of heads of older women, this is the seventh and I’m relaxing into it. I’ve chosen to focus on women of advanced age because it’s a group of people that doesn’t seem to appear much in visual cultural references. Of course, there are iconic older women,Continue reading “They’re Fab!”

Pasta Printing Press – The Video (with added cat)

  A short video showing the process of printing a drypoint with a recycled pasta making machine. It’s easy. The video is just over 4 minutes long and features my cat as well.   Please try it, it’s very easy and convenient 🙂  

Aged Grandeur

I’m really getting into doing these 10 minute practice studies from photos of elderly women. It’s a big departure for me to work from photos as I love drawing from life so much. I can develop a different style with these drawings though as it isn’t imperative for me to get an absolute likeness, soContinue reading “Aged Grandeur”

Making Them Visible

I’m getting really enthused with these 10 minute sketches from Googled images of elderly women. I started just as a quick bit of practice but after 4 or 5 I find myself really getting into it. There are so many beautiful older faces to choose from and it dawned on me that for me thisContinue reading “Making Them Visible”

Eyes Full Of Life

I’m really enjoying the 10 minute head sketches from photos I’ve been doing recently. As well as helping me to practice accurate speed sketching, my chosen subject, elderly women, is fascinating. I look forward each evening to exploring the heads I find on Google, they are so full of character and experience. This elder womanContinue reading “Eyes Full Of Life”

Obsessive Culture

Carrying on with the quick head sketches, I Googled another photo of an elderly woman and did a 10 minute timed sketch. I drew into my A4 hardbound sketchbook with a graphite stick and white conte crayon. I had prepared a lot of the sketchbook’s pages with brown wrapping paper stuck in with Pritt stick.Continue reading “Obsessive Culture”

Movement And Essence

We have a terrific art gallery in Swansea, Galerie Simpson, which not only shows fabulous art exhibitions but also hosts excellent events. Husb and I went to one today, a talk and Q&A session by Welsh punk musician and author, Rhys Mwyn. Fascinating stuff. I had a quick scribble, as I always do. It’s hardContinue reading “Movement And Essence”

A Head In 6 Minutes

Sometimes it’s getting late and I haven’t done any drawing so I look around for something quick to do. I try to draw every day because that’s what underpins my practice as an artist, rather like a singer practicing their scales every day. If I’m stuck, I turn to the Internet and google images ofContinue reading “A Head In 6 Minutes”