A couple of evenings ago, Husb and I went to the launch of Jen Wilson’s new book, “Freedom Music: Wales, Emancipation and Jazz” at Swansea’s Dylan Thomas Centre. There were singers and dancers performing, including the lovely and talented Elissa V Evans who sang a beautiful and haunting version of “Oh Susanna”. Of course, I scribbled her!
A couple of evenings ago, Husb and I went to the launch of Jen Wilson’s new book, “Freedom Music: Wales, Emancipation and Jazz” at Swansea’s Dylan Thomas Centre. There were performers as well as readings by Jen. The Congolese Development Project had drummers and a dancer – here he is along with a lady in an awesome dress who was watching him.
I’ve been doing a manier noir drawing (above) the past few days (click here if you want to see the process), based on an original sketch I did a few weeks ago on a field trip with scientists from Swansea University’s FIRE Lab project. We were looking at culverts up in the Brecon Beacons. I found them fascinating, lovely stone architecture, probably Victorian. I thought there was an otherworldly atmosphere to them.
From left to right: paper prepared with charcoal; original sketch; manier noir drawing in progress using wire wool and aluminium oxide paper.
I like this technique, it has a spooky, soft, ethereal quality. Manier noir means “the dark manner” which I think suits it.
And here’s the last drawing I did at the Glynn Vivian art gallery in Swansea the other evening. Husb and I went to the private view and curators’ talk for the new drawing exhibition, “Hand Drawn Action Packed“. It’s a really good show and it’s free entry too. I scribbled these heads into my little A6 hardbacked sketchbook, using a ballpoint pen. I like ballpoint for sketchbook work, it flows easily and gives a lovely scribble … and that’s what I’m about.
Husb and I were at the preview of the new drawing exhibition, “Hand Drawn Action Packed” at Swansea’s most excellent Glynn Vivian art gallery the other evening. I scribbled of course, which was fitting, given that it’s a drawing exhibition. I find it difficult to cram an entire subject onto the page – I was always criticised when I was in art college for this. I used to point out that Egon Schiele and Käthe Kollwitz often did the same – and if it’s okay for them ……. Anyway, I solved it by putting the bottom of her legs onto a different part of the page.
The Glynn Vivian Art Gallery in Swansea has a fabulous drawing exhibition, “Hand Drawn Action Packed“, which opened with a guided talk from the show’s curators, Roger Malbert and Antonia Shaw. These events are always good for a quick scribble, people are generally quite still. I always carry a sketchbook – this is an A6 size hardbound one and I prefer to draw in ballpoint pen on this scale.
And a captive audience is good practice for drawing a crowd, getting the perspective and proportions right, without too much moving around.
There are ten artists featured, Marcel Dzama | Marcel van Eeden | Inci Eviner | Yun-Fei Ji | William Kentridge | Nalini Malani | Otobong Nkanga | Raymond Pettibon | Amy Sillman | Rinus Van de Velde.
I liked them all but particularly William Kentridge, Rinus Van de Velde and Nalini Malani.
Husb and I went to Swansea’s Glynn Vivian art gallery this evening for the preview of the latest exhibition “Hand Drawn Action Packed“, an exhibition of artists who draw. It’s fantastic to see a drawing exhibition in a prestigious gallery. Of course, I had a scribble. Well, I would, wouldn’t I?
There are ten artists featured in the show, Marcel Dzama | Marcel van Eeden | Inci Eviner | Yun-Fei Ji | William Kentridge | Nalini Malani | Otobong Nkanga | Raymond Pettibon | Amy Sillman | Rinus Van de Velde.
Husb and I went to an event at the excellent Cinema & Co this evening, a showing of the Leonardo di Caprio documentary, “After The Flood”, organised by the Swansea Ecobricks Community. The film was really good, there was a pop-up kitchen provided by Goggi – gorgeous vegetable byriani with chick pea curry and a samosa. Of course, I had to have a scribble! These women were in a huddle so I caught them with a ballpoint pen in my little hardbacked A6 sketchbook.
The #periodpositive campaign and the concept of period positivity started as a phrase coined by former head of PSHE, comedian and education researcher Chella Quint, grew into a campaign, a trademark, and then a charter programme. I saw her perform at Cinema & Co a few nights ago and she was hilarious. We got up and danced the Menstrual Product Mambo. Of course, I had to have a scribble.
I went to an event, A Bloody Good Night, at Swansea’s excellent independent art centre, Cinema & Co, a few evenings ago. It was organised by Swansea Takes On Period Poverty (STOPP) and it was their official launch party & fundraiser. There was a special performance from the brilliant bilingual singer Bronwen Lewis and themed cupcakes to buy. There was a large donation box for pads/ tampons/ liners which was overflowing with period products for the local food bank.
About STOPP:
Swansea Takes On Period Poverty (STOPP) was set up with an ambitious vision to make Swansea a ‘Period Positive’ city where menstrual products are freely available in all public facilities such as schools, libraries, community centres and other private businesses. They also exist to campaign politically on this issue as they believe ultimately towels, pads or other things like ‘mooncups’ should be free and that there should definitely be no ‘tampon tax’. They want to raise awareness of ‘plastic free periods’ and sustainable solutions, to improve education about periods and help to breakdown taboos around menstrual health and finally to support international efforts to end period poverty around the world. For more information and to find out how you can help please email stopp.campaign@gmail.com
Bog Art and MWGA launch: Cinema & Co, Swansea, Tuesday July 9th from 18.30 – 20.30 with art, literature, short films, a pop-up kitchen and FREE CAKE! Please come along. Rosie Scribblah and Patti McJones (aka The Revolting Women) are officially launching Bog Art alongside the launch of the satirical book “Making Wales Great Again” […]
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