Suki by Sandra (detail)
As I gaze upon last Thursday’s efforts, it seems to evoke that which I’m sure has been talked about previously on this blog – that of the inherent struggle. There is, across the selection of drawings, a striking feeling of ephemerality, ethereality and a hint of inconclusion.
Could this have been because we were all put out by the model’s determined stamina dictating our break so our normal well rehearsed paces were disturbed by a longer first half and a shorter second? Maybe, but that seems all too easy of an excuse. We all know Suki/Sue V performs an interesting character, through her life, her blog etc. I wonder how much this affects our drawings and paintings? Does it disturb our insular creativity when a model is so outspoken, a contrast to the outdated cliché of the passive artist’s model? When we may be familiar with how she perceives herself and her modelling work, from her own writings etc? Perhaps not, I know there’s been a lot of talk on here as model as motif and not as direct portraiture and the importance or not, of getting a likeness, whether the model matters at all. But I can’t help but wonder if there is still an unconscious yet inevitable attempt to capture the essence and personality of a model.
On Thursday I attempted to let all this background fluff go. I was trying to concentrate on being in the moment of drawing, not having any expected outcome and just enjoying this series of simple moments and activity for what it was, no judgement, no preconceptions, just a simple, enjoyable, flow of energy. I wonder if that’s really possible to strive for, or if we’re all inevitably swayed by our perceived understanding of a model’s personality, the day we’ve had and other random external factors.
by Fiona Halliday
Paintings and drawings by Catherine, Cathy, Dick, Fiona, Ian, Ivan, Jane, Roger H, Roger S, Sandra, Sue D-Y, Tom and Tony.
