In the second session of EDAM this term looking at theme of 'Meanwhile....', after going through the slides of different approaches by various artists to research ( see previous blogpost ), I had a discussion with Amanda about my initial thoughts and ideas . After taking lots of photos from the train and having an initial stab at a 'mindmap' , I was in a lot better position to talk about it than the previous week. As usual , too many ideas but we discussed what could be done at home and what to focus on while in the class. I thought I'd like to do more monoprinting but that was something to do quietly at home ( or review what I had already) and what the classroom offered was opportunity to be messy with charcoal and work large!
She suggested working on a collaged background of maps / squared paper - until I could get to the photocopier all that was available was copies of a map of India but it served it's purpose in combinations with sections of the rail timetable. and I quickly drew in charcoal over the top to indicate the seat and window and some of the scenery flashing by
After lunch and a session with the photocopier I used collage of the map for the train route in combination with photos taken out of the window with drawings in ink of the seats and their reflections in the window when in 'Tunnel Land' . Too much going on and I over-thought it but it has possibilities for further exploration , perhaps on a larger scale or cutting it up and reassembling ?
I also had a go with tracing onto acetate the section of the map around Gravesend and Ebbsfleet where the train goes under the Thames .I then used the overhead projector to draw it A1 size ( below) , getting a different quality using graphite stick. When I posted it on Instagram , there was a comment saying it looked like bones and was I considering archaeology as part of the brief . So now I'm re-reading about the Ebbsfleet Elephant!
I've scanned the acetate and been playing with different filters in Photoshop ( above)
Also on acetate, I traced on a different scale the whole route from Faversham to St Pancras ( above) and scanned the stitching on acetate I'd done with Ruth ( below) - I like how you can see both the front and back at the same time.
I showed Amanda the 2010 Moleskine 'Pocket Project Planner' notebook I bought cheaply in 2011 to modify as a sketchbook ( realising the demand for such items they now sell 'proper' Japanese Accordion albums ). During our discussions we realised it's potential with its printed details of charts etc of considering 'Time ' as one aspect to consider further - exciting!
After all this thinking and cogitatating , tomorrow I'm planning to have a 'play day' in my studio sampling different approaches, including getting my sewing machine out!
