Under Wraps

"Identity" at The SPace
“Identity” at The SPace

I’ve been involved in an artist collective, members of Swansea Print Workshop, at The SPace. We’ve had the place since mid-November and will be there for another three weeks. One of the best things about this has been the impetus for some of the artists to work together, to discuss and collaborate and we’re launching an installation tomorrow, instigated by Pip Woolf, who provided huge pieces of tissue paper for us to work on and then she’s used the results to wrap the gallery. It’s open for just a few days – there’s a discussion led by Pip followed by refreshments Friday (29th) from 5.30 to 7 pm and it’s open daily Friday, Saturday and next Wednesday, 11.30 to 5pm.

 

Pip says,

“I am currently exploring “Identity” as a subject that has arisen from my ongoing research alongside dementia, those diagnosed with it, those living with it and those who are supporting. In choosing to show my current work in progress at the Space I have had to consider how I can use the venue respectful of the other 13 members. At the same time when I first saw the SPAce it seemed to offer a potentially interesting and experimental venue to introduce my early enquiries through making.

The discussion will focus on how my studio work has developed and how showing here intersects with my interest in collaborative work. 


The SPace arose as a group of printmakers saw an opportunity to promote their work as well as the fantastic facility that is Swansea Print Workshop. Many of us do not know each other so co-operative use of the SPace is a key element. The temporary pop up has been created as outreach of Swansea Print Workshop courtesy of a generous arrangement with Coastal Housing.”

The SPace continues until February 13th at 217 High Street, Swansea.

Those Cheekbones

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I did another 30 minute portrait drawing this morning with a Baby Boomer with the most fantastic cheekbones. His face is so sculpted that I became absorbed in the abstraction of the planes and angles. Awesome. I drew him at The SPace, Swansea’s newest artspace at 217 High Street, Swansea, open Wednesday to Saturday, 11.30 to 5.00 until mid February.

Tit For Tat

At last, one of my Baby Boomer ‘victims’ who drew me right back! A lot of the people sitting for this series of 30 minute portraits are fellow artists and this one scribbled me while I scribbled him. Tit for tat.

Eyes And Patterns

Today’s Baby Boomer, a striking woman with huge eyes and some fabulous patterns. One of my series of 30 minute portrait sketches of my generation. I’m aiming to do a hundred – I’m about a quarter of the way through.

The Scarf

Another day, another Baby Boomer sketch, done in under 30 minutes, recording my generation. I used graphite sticks into an A5 spiralbound sketchbook. It’s nice to have something like a scarf to draw around the neck.

Spectacles

And another of my Baby Boomer portrait sketches, all done in under 30 minutes into an A5 spiral bound sketchbook, this one with graphite sticks. Spectacles are so difficult to do – if you don’t get them right, it throws all the other proportions out.

Talking ‘Bout My Generation

Checkland D

Continuing with my series of 30 minute sketches of baby boomers – my generation……..

Eyes Wide Shut

I’m going to post a series of my Baby Boomer drawings over the next few days. I’ve been doing quite a few lately. This model wanted to read during our 30 minutes together and it’s interesting for me because she’s the only person so far that hasn’t had their eyes wide open.

That Goldilocks Moment

Pip 1
Taking a rubbing from a woodcut with graphite block. Gives a metallic sheen.

I’ve been experimenting today. I was given some large pieces of robust tissue paper by a fellow artist and invited to do something with them and then give them back to her for her installation. I decided to cover them with rubbings made from a very large woodcut I have been working on. It isn’t finished yet so I don’t have any prints but the rubbings picked up the developed parts nicely.

Pip compare

I tried out a few different drawing materials to start with. First, carbon, compressed charcoal and Bideford Black (looked good but too smudgy). Secondly, Chinese charcoal (too hard, ripped the paper). And finally, Graphite block (perfect, didn’t rip, didn’t smudge, nice metallic sheen). Bit like Goldilocks and the porage.

There are differing opinions on how to spell porage, which is the spelling I always use but many use porridge and, rarely, parritch. I love the stuff, made nice and thin (Husb contemptuously calls it gruel – he likes it thick enough to stand your spoon in) and I put a knob of butter in mine, I’m not fond of sugar. When I was in Pakistan I had porage made from cracked wheat rather than oats, nice but very different.

A very interesting read “Balthus. Part 1. Mitsou and the King of the Cats”

Source: Balthus. Part 1. Mitsou and the King of the Cats