This was my last week of the Anam Cara School of Drawing. To wrap up the experience, I drew a series of illustrations I’ve called “Lane & Mabel”. I think they are adorable, especially wee Mabel, and if I was going to pursue illustration, I think this is the direction I would go in. For now, though, I want to use my drawing for the paintings I have in mind for my CSM research project. I realise I am limited in my abilities and am by no means an excellent drawer. But I have learnt a lot in the past 3 months, and am nearing proficiency in some aspects of drawing, which I hope, when paired with my other artistic skills, will result in some effective paintings. Three wonderful things came out of my self-imposed drawing school.
An increase in my drawing skills.
The realisation that when it comes to drawing, the learning never stops.
Last week I had a driving lesson with my fella’s Pa, Mick. I actually got my licence when I was 18, back home in New Zealand, but made the monumentally stupid, inconvenient, and very expensive mistake of not getting it changed to a Manx licence within the first year of moving here, so I have to sit it again. Before my fella came along, I wandered the streets with my trusty, old-lady shopping trolley, and thought I’d shuffle around like that till I eventually shuffled off. But taking up with my fella altered the trajectory of my life (which looked set to include said trolley and several cats) and inspired me to big-pant-up and get my licence.
Before having lessons with Mick, my fella would take me driving. It soon became apparent however, that he was unable to iron out my bad habits, one of which was not listening to him, and the second, gesticulating at errant drivers. There was only one thing for it, he’d have to bring in the big gun, his Pa. So it was, I set off with Mick for the big smoke, under strict instructions to do what I was told, and keep my hands on the steering wheel when other drivers failed to abide by the road rules (which of course are fresh in my mind having recently passed my theory test), or, if I really couldn’t help myself, I could wave.
Mick and I had a great time. He kept me entertained with plant-hire and traffic-management stories, and I managed not to kill us. Most of the lesson went well, except for the tricks (i.e., reverse parking and emergency stop, both of which I messed up), and we were nearing the end of proceedings, when suddenly, the steering wheel seized as we were going around a roundabout. Technically the power-steering switched off, but it was such a marked difference I thought it had seized. Anyway, long story short, the car broke down and we had to be towed back to Ramsey. It was great fun riding in the big tow truck, and all in all it turned out to be the best driving lesson I have ever had.
The week in the studio was productive as usual, with lots of cats (including some naughty ones), which I am now thoroughly sick of drawing. I am going to be winding up my drawing school over the next few weeks, ready for my return to painting and resumption of my course in October. It’s been invaluable to take this time out of my usual studio activities, and I am excited to see what improving my drawing skills will bring to my painting.
Another thing I worked on was a collage. It is based on one I did some time ago called Ellan Vannin. I had the presence of mind at the time to scan the individual sections, which I was able to print, recut, and reassemble. This has allowed me not only to make it bigger, but also make it in such a way that it can be suspended away from the wall. I am really pleased with the results so far, and will continue to tweak it over the coming weeks.
I have more photos of the the results, but my internet is so painfully slow, one will have to do.
I had great fun in the studio this week, mostly because I started drawing cats. I adore cats, and drawing them makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I also had an idea for my drawing.
At the end of the summer, when I go back to painting, I want to keep up my drawing practice by spending an hour or so of my morning studio session drawing. My idea is to draw an anthropomorphised cat each morning, and then post it to an Instagram account I have created called “If Cats Had Hands” (@ifcatshadhands). I am not sure what will become of it, but at the very least it will create some parameters within which I can improve and practice my drawing skills, plus, I’ve no doubt it will be a lot of fun.
Here are some of my first cat drawings.
I had my first ever Open Studio this weekend. I was very nervous about it, but I needn’t have been, as it was a wonderful experience. My fella hung some of my paintings, old and new, many of which he owns. He’d tell you I fleeced him, but I contend I was helping him out by setting a high value for my work. It was lovely to see so many pieces together, and they looked great in my white-walled studio. We had a steady stream of people over the two days – never too few that it was boring, and never too many that I wasn’t able to have a conversation with all who traipsed out all this way (in Isle of Man distance terms, I live on the other side of the world). Everyone was very gracious about my work, and I really enjoyed the conversations I had, and appreciated the generous feedback they gave me.
My fella was amazing throughout, and spent most of the time in the kitchen, making cups of tea and baking scones. He doesn’t do things by halves, for which a task done to excess is described has having been “Geoffed”. This proved true when he offered to buy some biscuits for our visitors. This is what was left at the end of the weekend!
My fella has exceptional taste. Although my brother would argue this does not include women, it is most certainly true when it comes to jewellery. So much so, that when he popped the question last week, while proffering a bedazzling spectacle in a little grey box, instead of answering the question, I replied with a wide-eyed gasp “Is that for me?!”
So it is that me and my true love are now engaged, and I am the proud wearer of an exquisite sapphire and diamond ring that is like toting around the sea and stars on my finger. To be honest, he could’ve given me a ring made out of a pewter spoon (as his will likely be if I don’t start selling my paintings to someone other than him), because he is the smartest, funniest, kindest man I ever did meet. Plus, he knows all my secrets, so I better keep him close.
The past two weeks in the studio have been very productive. I am still attending my self-imposed drawing school, and am turning out illustrations by the many 10s. My favourite thing to draw are people I know (mostly my fella and my mum and dad). I like the naturalness of the poses and capturing little moments.
They aren’t portraits as such, and don’t always look like the person I am drawing. This is especially true when I began drawing them with bird heads. I really like the results and had a lot of fun drawing them.
Next weekend I have a Open Studio here at Anam Cara as part of the Isle of Man Art Festival. I’ll be showing old work and new, including the large Ann painting. I am really looking forward to it, especially spending time with the folk that venture all this way out in the woop woops. There’ll be cups of tea and my fella’s scones for those who make the trek.
After going out for 41/2 years, it suddenly dawned on my fella and I that in all that time we haven’t spent a day together where he’s chosen the day’s activities. This isn’t by fiat, rather a default position that goes something like this.
Me: What do you fancy doing today?
Fella: Whatever you fancy.
Me: Ok, lets go to a cemetery, stop off at a bog (as in sodden peat-rich ground, not loo), and visit a magic well.
Fella: Sure thing Kiwi Fruit (note how he separates the words).
This meant only one thing. It was high time for Geoff Chooseday. And what, with his new found power, did he choose? Not being waited on hand and foot and a Star Wars marathon (as I suspected). No, he chose making me breakfast (a nomelette to be precise, which is an extra tasty omelette), trimming the hedge (with me helping), and hosting a barbeque for our respective parents. He made a lot of people happy with his choosing, not just himself, cause that’s the kind of fella he is. Sure, it was no well visit, but our hedge looks amazing!
I had another enjoyable and productive week in the studio. This week I focused on drawing people sitting (a few examples below). I also bought some new watercolour paints (I use a Japanese brand called Kuretake), so was able to change the palette. The new paints are a range of blacks, which give the various colours a lovely muted tone, as seen the last 5 images. The paper I am using at this stage is just cartridge, hence why the paint looks a bit streaky. Still, it’s a lovely treat to add a bit of colour to the drawings, and it gives me my painting fix.
After 3 frustrating weeks at my self-imposed drawing school, I finally turned a corner this week. Not only am I enjoying drawing, but I am starting to like the results. A few changes helped facilitate my new found enjoyment.
I switched from pencil to pen, which means no more fussing about lines, and rubbing out the ones I don’t like. Once a line is down, that’s it, I have to live with it. This alone makes drawing more relaxing and enjoyable, plus, I think errant lines add to the character of a drawing.
I switched from using other people’s sketches as a reference to using photographs. While using sketches is a great place to start (as you can see where to put individual lines), there’s no satisfaction in the result, because the drawing is not really yours.
Once I began drawing from photographs I was able to start drawing friends and family, which makes me very happy.
One of the people I love to draw the most is my mum, I think because her lovely personality comes out in the drawings.
Sitting in the gardenOff to see AngelaEnjoying a pub meal
Of all the drawings I did this week, my favourite is of my fella when he won the Isle of Man Field Archery Championship. Sure I made him 6’3″, but I think I did a pretty good job nonetheless.
Since my corner-turn, I can’t stop drawing. All my sketch pads are filling up, and when I walk down the street, I keep seeing people I’d like to draw. It’s such a relief that I actually enjoy drawing, as well as show some aptitude for it, as it would be impossible to make the paintings I have in mind without it. I have big plans for my drawing, so I still have a long way to go, but the progress I made this week makes me hopeful. Of course, the biggest win is that I enjoy it.
bexODESSA 