Dominic's portrait

Dominic shared a portrait he has been working on.  The relationship between people and objects could add an exciting dimension.  Figgy's vanity table objects conjure up a different scenario to Freddie's lego people.  Mmm. Another direction to explore!

Bulbs and other stuff

I had this idea that I would project an image of an object that one of you sent me and incorporate it in an arrangement of some of my own objects.  But it was  typical weekend day and time was at a premium, so I opted for an arrangement that already exists.  This profusion of stuff is more indicative of my life and my house than last week's drawing.  There is little stillness around here.  

Finding my way in the chaos of colour, movement, shape and object was a challenge and it had to fit in with renovating a willow hedge, doing the laundry, the ironing, a trip to Ipswich, not to mention breakfast, lunch and dinner and all that cleaning up. This isn't the final version.  I have put a bit of lavender on the left of the yellow ginger jar to suggest a different edge, and to the left  of the banana is lighter and bluer and more interesting.

Less clutter when I draw again next, I think. When will that be?  

2face and layers

Queenie saw Freddie's drawings on his picasa site and incorporated 2face in her image.  She is experimenting with layers.  That makes me want to incorporate other people's objects alongside my own in my drawing.  I will play with that idea this weekend...

Freddie's objects

Freddie has chosen lego pieces as his objects.  You can see them on his picasa site. There are some other fabulous drawings of Mario, Luigi, Harry Potter, Mut Williams and 2 Face. 

Transported objects

Sunday, with a headache and lots of activity all around.  I didn't really feel like drawing but knew that for once I had the time, so I should really make the most of it. I wandered around searching for a place that some of my objects would look natural in.  I wanted to create a still life that was incidental.

I got a bigger piece of (pear coloured) pastel paper than I had been using previously... 30X40cm and started composing with a blue Sakura nouvel pastel: Carré.  I guess some people are very intentional at this stage, but I frame the space a few times with my fingers and then don't really think.  What's interesting is that it wasn't until I had finished that I realised there is a white line through the middle of the horizon.  The decisions were not methodical.  The repetition of form just happened.  The jaunty tilted bowl felt right.

I think I feel satisfied with this drawing because it has the sense that I came upon the objects and was captivated by them.  What Bonnard calls the 'sudden revelatory process of perception'. Perhaps some would say it's in some way sentimental... bordering on insipid, but for me it is collection of familiar objects that are intrinsic to my life and let's face it I am a romantic. 

I meant to use a plate full of pastels I selected before I began drawing, but instead used the Carré pastels almost exclusively.  They are harder than the sort I gravitate towards normally. The robin's egg blue inside the bowl is a very soft Schminke.   Let's hope that when I look again at this that I still respond.  

Katy's objects from sketchbook

I received some pages from a sketchbook this afternoon.  It has been a good day for drawing! Katy has also uploaded her picasa album.  See comments below for the link. I like the idea of a live object (the pumpkin, or is it a gourd?) We will watch its demise with interest! 

Getting to know my objects

I thought you might like to see the fun I have had with my objects.  I have an A4 (UK size- letter in the US, sort of) sketch book.  I have been drawing and then writing if something occurs to me, to record my ideas and feelings about the objects.  I might keep a book open nearby that I read a bit from to prime my mind as I draw.  This from (Berger, 1973 P7)

struck me recently:

'Seeing comes before words.  The child looks and recognizes before it can speak.  

But there is another sense in which seeing comes before words.  It is seeing which establishes our place in the surrounding world; we explain that world with words, but words can never undo the fact that we are surrounded by it.  The relation between what we see and what we know is never settled.'

I know that some of you have already begun to catalogue your objects.  So that my limited technological know-how isn't a barrier to sharing your images, until I work out how you can post images yourself here, if you send me any images I can post them for you.  

rebecca.guyver@btconnect.com

Molly and I have agreed that we are going to keep a mood diary of objects.  Exactly what that means is open for interpretation!  Today I have a headache, so that will be an interesting experiment!