Carolyn, I have been drawing (ink and graphite on paper) for the past few
years; I am entranced by the quality of marks and how the marks create
spaces. I deliberately limited my marks to short, sharp, straight strokes.
Straight strokes are what they are, they are not organic like curved
swooshing lines; I do not want my work to be 'interpreted' or 'read', as in
'oh there's a dragon' when I know damn well that there is no dragon.
Although I suppose it is none of my business what other people see in my
work, once done it is, or should be, out of my hands. Anyway I found that
using an unflexible, mapping pen nib worked best, it left no tail, no
beginning or end, just started and stopped.
About 2 to 3 years ago I started doing 'woven' drawings (www.drawinglady.com
will give you a better idea). Basically two small strokes 'over' and two
small strokes 'underneath' to create a fabric like warp and weft. Covering
A1 sheets.
I have been able to explore and explore this 'woven' motif: with lines of
hugely differing sizes; with strips of paper inked, woven and fixed to A1
sheet; stitching the lines on canvas (if you would like to see these last
two I can email them, they are not on my website). I have started working
with fabric drenched in pva, cut it into strips then woven. I don't know
what to do yet with this last working but I like it and feel it has
somewhere to go.
I used to get cross when people said they drew and yet their work was 3D or
what I would consider painting. But in exploring this 'woven' theme I can
see how one can move out and seemingly away from drawing and yet always be
anchored in it. Wherever this 'warp and weft' takes me I will always
consider it drawing, because that is what I do. I draw. My work is drawing.
It is interesting to compare the dictionary definition of drawing in English
and other languages, English goes on forever, drawing can mean so many
different things. In most other languages drawing is drawing, marks on
paper.
Hope this is of use and good luck. It is a great topic and I am sure you
will have lots of fun writing your dissertation.
Best wishes
Rachet
On 29/10/12 10:53, "Carolyn Roberts" <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:
> As a 3rd Yr Fine Art student I am in the process of writing my dissertation.
> I am looking at the re-emergence of the popularity of drawing and how
> contemporary artists are pushing the boundaries of what is considered
> conventional drawing. I would like to ask a) why you feel there has been a
> re-emergence of drawing as a medium in its own right and b) why contemporary
> artists, I am thinking of, perhaps Sian Bowen, Catherine Bertola, Monika
> Grzymala, i.e artists who use unconventional drawing materials or processes,
> qualify their work as drawing?
>
> I would be interested to know peoples' responses
>
> Carolyn Roberts
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