Day 19 - Authenticity and questions of .......

I am inspired to draw from my posted blog drawings because they look so different.
Also posting drawings on-line gives them a sort of strange authentification.
Authenticity is a big word these days and is always used in conjunction with the words 'questions of' authenticty.
Why are we so suspicious in todays world that we must question the very idea of authenticity.

I am interested in myths of authenticity .... like the Willow Pattern itself and the story that comes from the design on the plate; mention it to anyone and they think it is a pattern that was developed in the Far East but no, it was developed in Britain in the late eighteenth century by manufacturers trying to sell more pottery

This inspires a series of small drawings ....

Day 18 - Is it a Bush, a Wave or maybe a Splash ?

I think it is a splash coming out of a wave. Not enough time drawing today. Busy applying to the University College for the Creative Arts 'Meet Your Mentor' scheme.
Potentially exciting, if I am accepted.

Day 17 - Boats & the Power of Drawing

Disembodied the boat and boatman and turned the sea into a lovely blue scribble. Oh, the power of drawing !

Double click to see whole image so far

Day 16 - A Roof, Half a Door and Some Waves

When l look at the now familiar world of a Willow Pattern plate, my eye
continually skirts round it's design searching for what I have not yet
drawn - the challenges to come.

Day 15 - More Trunks & Branches

Double click on picture to see whole drawing so far


Great day ... drawing and talking about drawing.

Double click detailed view of plate

Day 14 - Tree trunks & branches

Inspirational visit to V&A yesterday. Saw original 1818 Willow Pattern plate with the name 'Thomasine Willey' made by Spode. Grey wet and windy ... Artist, Susan Hillier ill so not speaking at the dlwp tonight.

Day 13 - Round Fat Leaves

So excited about starting to draw the actual body of the plate and deconstructing the images that make up this iconic motif.
Am going to visit the V&A this afternoon to look at their Willow Pattern collection. Also NOW KNOW this is it - the new project
I have been searching for. It produces the three vital ingredients I need to arrive at the studio feeling motivated: intellectual interest, an aesthetic and infinite drawing possibilities. It is also something that can be undone .... and redone, and undone all over again.
The dog-like shadow in the picture is me - when I take pictures before 2pm the window casts a shadow across the drawing !