Feeling jaded and somewhat uncreative in my large format photorealistic style, I had finished one piece and wasn’t overly excited about the next one I had lined up, so I gave myself a little free time. What started with straight ink to paper free line sketches, of course evolved into what I’m most comfortable in - as much detail as I can possibly include (enter: the chair drawings). It’s a challenge for me to omit details - maybe it is for every artist - to look over and choose to ignore certain aspects for the good of the artwork. I think this is what they call an artistic eye? In my repertoire, my skill has been to see these details that most eyes take for granted, so simple line drawings are hence a test for me.
My, let’s call it, mantra has been to learn and develop through practice. It helps me be productive and not stuck at the “what to draw phase”. Rather, it matters less what I draw and more that I’m practicing a skill through drawing. This is how this collection grew, this is how a couple of sketches in between “actual artworks” became my first solo collection, launched on my own. Living in Barbados for a couple of months, where the humidity softens my paper and the fan rolls my pencils straight off the table, I needed to simplify. I needed to simplify my life as clothes became too hot and groceries became unreliable (no mangos this week, no coffee next week) and simplify my work. Adapt.