We were all faced with a new challenge this week owing to having together two models who were beautifully juxtapositioned. The marvellous Scott and his lovely partner Sharon were simply ideal for this project and as they relaxed into pose, we, the artists, simultaneously strained in suspense wondering how to approach this.
The options and opportunities offered by the tableau before us were many and varied and the question was where to start. A decision had to be made, well, more than one decision actually. Should I draw both figures and have I got time for that? Shall I just concentrate on one and if so is that a wasted opportunity? What medium shall I use that will afford me the speed I may need? Draw or paint? And so on…
My own solution to this perplexity was, as usual, to scribble a quick sketch in my trusty A4 spiral bound with my trusty cheap biro. This took the pressure off and gave me an instinctive initial reaction, composition and a starting point. Having said that I had previously had some thoughts about it earlier in the day and had already randomly prepared a piece of card collaged with torn images and newsprint, spread with jade coloured left over emulsion paint and then sprayed with Tom’s faithful blue ink sprayer as a background for whatever image might present itself.
I think that what I was trying to communicate was the serenity of impending motherhood in Sharon under the casual but watchful protection of Scott. In a perfect world it would have had a more Yin and Yang composition but I only had two and a half hours so for a full day pose a repeat of this would be a perfect opportunity for us all to attempt some really ambitious stuff.
I see from the gallery that the majority of artists chose to include both figures and some of those show what might seem a lesser detail in comparison to the whole yet that gentle, just touching link of their wrists becomes absolutely meaningful as well as a very powerful part of the picture and I love the story it tells.
Once again I am totally amazed by Fiona who sculpted two authentic clay models in such a space of time again with that vital linkage.
The subject before us last night produced some dynamic pieces of work from all who were there and I hope we answered our own question of why we make art. I would want these drawings to show part of who we are and what inspires us more than a demonstration of technique and materials. With this in mind I wish I had written some words on my painting to do with ambience and emotions, well I might just do that at a later date.
by Sandra Cowper
Paintings and drawings by Andrew, Barry, Cathy, David, Dick, Fiona, Haydn, Hilary, Ian, Linda, Paul, Roger H, Roger S, Russell, Sandra, Steven, Sue, Tom and Tony.
