Art in Action

Photo from Art in Action 2009

Preparations for Art in Action are now well under way. I have been submitting various bits of information to the (very well organised) organisers over the past few weeks and now I'm getting down to my own lists of what to take, how to hang it and what tools I will need.

I'm nervous, mostly in an excitable way, about the drawing demonstrations we'll be doing. It's going to be strange with lots of people watching me draw. I've had one or two people watching me draw before and it has tended to make me feel very self conscious. I think the demonstration set up will be a huge help, as a structure to work within; a way of formalising the watcher/watched relationship.

I heard somewhere that drawing and talking are controlled by different hemispheres of the brain, so a drawing demo could be quite a tricky thing! Maybe it's better to stop periodically and discuss what ever stage the drawing is at, or answer people's questions. I want to make sure that I talk with the people visiting, and not mumble into my drawings.

The current plan is that we will be drawing from a model for at least two sessions per day, and hour in the morning and another in the afternoon. Other artists will be drawing in between. I'm really looking forward to seeing other artists draw as I always find watching others hugely instructive.

Technically I think the diffuse lighting in the tent, whilst flattering to the model, could be quite a challenge for drawing, I think softly graduated tones will predominate if it is an overcast day.

I'm very glad to be demonstrating alongside much more experienced artists and instructors from the Bristol Drawing School: Carol Peace, Fran Richardson, Ros Ford and Ruth Wallace. I'm also looking forward to seeing some familiar visitors from my open studio.

We will be demonstrating in the Drawing and Printmaking tent at Art in Action at Waterperry House near Oxford from 15th-18th July. It is a fabulous event at a great location so do come down and say hello, we'd love to see you!