Prints, Vessels and Waves

Before my last  Advanced Painting  class on Friday , I went to the prints exhibition  room 90 at the British Museum to see 'Touch:Works on paper' by Maggi Hambling.  But I got distracted by the  selection of works  in the display area to the right:

'Modern Design and Graphics: Objects and Prints from Post-War Europe'

A small display of objects and prints, highlighting the relationship between three-dimensional objects and two-dimensional objects.

 My favourite was by Swedish artist  Philip von Schantz , a watercolour 'Towards Arholma'  where the curved vessels merge with the water and sky. Having actual vessels displayed alongside was inspired . I found other examples of his work online like the one below

 Other pairings was this linocut of sails  by Jurleif Uthaug  with wooden vessels  ( above)  and the lithograph of a woman hanging out washing  by  Jurgen von Konow  with an engraved glass vase  (below)

 I was a bit short of time so didn't note down the makers of the print and woven baskets above or the glass vessels  displayed with the Morandi etchings ( rather a contrast to the dusty  bottles they were drawn from!!)

The drawings that Maggi Hambling made of   close family and friends on their deathbeds (or in  her coffin in the case of her mother) are  very moving but it is her studies  of waves  that I  find compelling in capturing their force and energy.  

Drawing Tuesday in a Domestic Museum

This week's drawing Tuesday took place at Margaret's residence in Kensal Rise.  The weather was appalling so no sketching in the garden and the collection of waterproofs and umbrellas drying out  in the bathroom inspired at least 1 drawing! We started off with coffee and baklava , did a bit of drawing and then had a very convivial lunch

 Margaret had described it as a 'domestic museum'  and it was indeed a treasure trove of interesting and diverse objects. Somehow, someone else's collections are so much more inspiring than your own.

 I drew a small collection of stoneware bottles - I liked the subtle variations in shape and colour

 Unlike other museums there weren't the same restrictions on use  of 'dry ' materials  so I had a go with watercolours too.

 It reminded me when I got home of the class I went to  3 years ago with Margaret associated with the Morandi exhibition at the Estorick Collection.  Not the same levels of dust however !

Morandi Workshop - Poetic Still Lifes

On  Friday, met up with Margaret for  workshop at Estorick Collection in North London, based around the current exhibition of Morandi etchings and watercolours.  The tutor Thomasina had brought along an eclectic mix of objects to augment whatever we'd brought with us . Who knew you could get excited by a detergent bottle painted white!

I chose a wonderful duck-egg blue jug and a white painted bottle to go with my pewter vase ( which I've used before in various exercises) .

We were encouraged to do a number of quick sketches , using different materials and moving the objects around. I didn't spend too long on my  ink drawing before switching to  watercolours!

Every time I do a class , I enjoy it so much  I resolve to keep drawing but somehow life gets in the way. Off to Weymouth again shortly so determined to do some more sketching.

Morandi -Lines of Poetry

When I went to the WEFT exhibition at SOAS a couple of weeks ago, I picked up a leaflet about an exhibition of Morandi etchings ( very stitch-like) at the Estorick Collection in Canonbury Square. Researching it further, found it had received some excellent reviews here, here , and here.
I visited on Friday  - it's an absolute gem of a place with a wonderful Italian Cafe.  I get into most exhibitions for free with my staff pass (as a member of Consortium of Museums and Galleries). On this occasion I had to pay so perhaps  appreciated it more - I spent a couple of hours looking very closely at the marks and cross hatching, making notes in my sketchbook, slightly marred by an elderly Morandi fan telling me I was not drawing properly!! Bought the exhibition catalogue  and have ordered a couple more books too.
Perhaps she would be reassured to know I signed up for  an art class on 19th April for a Morandi-inspired still life, looking at the techniques he used.
There was a subtitled  documentary  on Morandi on show which gave a fascinating glimpse into his life and surroundings - and an excuse not to dust ( most of the bottles he used had years accumulations!)

On Saturday ventured by bus to Landmark Arts Centre for the annual Contemporary Textile Fair. Always good to catch up with various  people. This year I was particularly taken with the atmospheric work of artist Debbie Lyddon.