Venice August 2011

Three days in Venice, a visit to the Biennale, then just simply looking and drawing.

Framework for a series of drawings

This is one drawing on A1 paper. A map of Venice with the major canals left white. It's the starting point for a series of drawing about Venice, an underlying structrure onto which I hope I can superimpose images and shapes that will describe Venice through its architecture and materials.

The Fish Market, Venice

A sketch and then a more finished drawing on A1 Arches paper. I have always enjoyed the fish market, and although I love the abundance of produce, the stalls, the pools of electric light, and the whole theatre of the market when its full of traders and shoppers...what I wanted to explore was the empty space, the blinds and the shadows, the building itself, not just its function. It is very difficult to draw an empty space.

The bridge at Runcorn

Two frantically swift drawings in a tiny sketchbook as I went over the bridge at Runcorn on my way to Liverpool. It is a very lovely bridge, and I always look forward to the train journey fron Birmingham New Street to Liverpool because of the bridge at Runcorn, and the approach toLiverpool Lime Street takes you through a valley of rock and engineering brickwork carved and blended in together...sadly the train never slows down until it gets past that point. But back to the bridge. It overlooks an estury and is surrounded by archways and warehouses. one day I'll get off at Runcorn and draw the bridge. These little scraps are a statement of intent.

The Grid

Exploring the nature of a grid, piercing, hanging, in front and behind. A2 sheet.

Exploring Multiples.

Continuing to explore elements of architecture in my sketchbook. I photocopied a load of my drawings and arranged them in multiples, exploring pattern and rhythm.

Never play with matches

I want to bring the images from Il Pizzini out and develop them further. I am beginning to use collage and photography to move my drawing forward. To date, collage and photography are not an end in themselves, I really want to resolve my ideas with drawing.
On a lovely fresh sheet of Archers A2 I drew a grid then an outline map of Venice, as a framework, literally to hang and contain ii pizzini. Pizzini superimposed in a random fashon, then I began some layering. I had bought several sheets of paper from Paperchase with a string grid within the paper. I burnt into the paper with matches to make piercings within the grid. Layered that over the pizzini, and then another sheePlenty to think about.

Next door garden

A quick drawing, less than five minutes, next door's garden.

January Garden

I went out to see what was what. I like the dead heads, but they'll have to go soon.