Hunters Point Naval Shipyard | San Francisco, CA
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The artist’s hand: creating & created
Since my last post, “Back to the drawing board”, I’ve had a lot of thoughts about drawing and how it relates to my studio practice. Yes, I drew a lot as a kid. And yes, most people would say I have a talent for it. I’ve had periods in my career when I consciously tried to integrate painting and drawing, but never felt that successful doing it. Nevertheless, I continue with both mediums, loving them each for different reasons.
Just the other day I read an interview with the artist Sarah Sze. It made quite an impression on me. She was expanding on the idea of what drawing really is. I’m including a very pertinent paragraph from the interview.
“I think of drawing in a much wider context — I think of it as the cursor on this page, the route you walk to work, the map I just googled for directions, or the print in the label in your t-shirt. I think of drawing as lines created in space, on the page, on a screen, or just mentally and emotionally to make sense of information or to convey information. So when artists draw it’s not about the page or the hand, it’s about connecting dots and the charting of complex information in whatever form that may take.” Sarah Sze
The expression ” line of thought” comes to mind when pondering Sarah’s quote. The “lines” that I’m in love with may seem like the work of an artist’s hand, but are really like shadows or reflections of everything around us.
Back to the drawing board
January 2012
After posting drawings in my “Vintage” album on facebook for the last six months, I came to two different conclusions. Firstly, I was reminded how strong the drawings are. Secondly, I realized how long it has been since I’ve been in a drawing group. Turns out it’s been eight years!
Drawing is a discipline that, at least for me, requires consistent, regular practice. So, I made it into a new years resolution and joined the same group I had been with those years ago.
Last week was the first session for me. I shocked myself how rusty I had gotten. The first few drawings were absolutely hideous! In the course of the three hour session though, I started making some hand/eye coordination. The drawing I’m posting here was the last one of the evening. All things considered, I’m pleased with how this first session went.
Market st., San Francisco
