Dérive II

A little more wandering...

Pen and Pencil on Paper

Dérive

Colored Pencil on Paper

Guy Debord defines the dérive as a "mode of experimental behavior linked to the conditions of urban society: a technique of rapid passage through varied ambiences"

This work is the first of my own personal artistic dérive in which I let go of the instinct to imitate and draw simply what I feel like drawing in the moment. 

At a certain point, my architectural education subconsciously creeps into my intention, but recently I have tried to hone in on what aspects of the work are formally engaging me, and I go with it.

I have yet to completely let go of control and judgment while drawing, and I realized that no matter how hard I try to unlearn or deskill, the rational control-freak in my mind will inevitable play a part in everything I do. So instead of pushing it away and denying it in my work, I've let my own subconscious control-freak start to play designer. We'll see what happens!

True

TRUE (tro͞o)

adjective

1. 1.

   in accordance with fact or realit
2. y

1. 2.

   accurate or exact

verb

1. 1.   bring (an object, wheel, or other construction) into the exact shape, alignment, or position required.

For this week, I let the concept of dance and movement instruct the way my arm moved across the paper. I started with a drawing of a dancer made with my left hand, and discovered certain curves that were crucial for the figure's recognition. I laid these curves out on a new piece of paper, and began to animate the four dancing forms through bright, conflicting color contrasts and broad, curved strokes. The piece began with dancing figures reduced to simple curves, and morphed into a wild and mindless record of my own pure intuition and instinct. 

Left handed dancing study, "Dancing Ladies," oil pastel on paper

JP

Yesterday, I learned that a friend from college died in a tragic accident Monday morning. JP filled every room with warmth and energy, and his smile was contagious whether or not you knew him personally. He celebrated life. He was drawn to adventures, and had a special talent for photography (I was lucky enough to see the most amazing and inspiring photos that he recorded on his flying and scuba diving adventures). It seems impossible to fathom that in just a moment, such a warm and positive energy that was once my friend is no longer here in this world with us.

In Quakerism, there is a saying we use when someone we love is suffering through a difficult time. We ask our friends in meeting to "hold them in the light," and it provides a space for the entire community to send positive energy and peace to those who are suffering. I have held JP and his loved ones in the light every day this week, wishing them peace and support through this horrible tragedy, hoping that somehow they can feel the love and warmth that JP brought spread to so many people in this world.


 

Oil Pastel on Paper