It's pretty full now - as with Lindsay's Maps/Destination - my entry was #6.
It's intriguing stories, these sketchbooks are telling: in terms of the images and entries, but also with some of the ephemera.
E.g., I like Lindsay's little pocket for leaving/taking entry tickets and various found papers; how she and others stuck some stamps on it (sorry, Lindsay, I had one from Israel for you, but had temporarily misplaced it and only found it again after I had posted the book on); the little thoughts, ditties, comments some have written on the back.
With Casey's moley I liked the continuity of medium - and how everyone ended up putting some protective paper around their sketches.
The images tell stories too. And this was what struck me. I am not much of a story teller with images - that's why I think I can never quite cut it as an illustrator, the art of cartoon and visual novels or even storyboards for film is beyond me. I think as far as storytelling in painting/drawing goes for me, it's the work process. I like the layering of collage and mixed media. Of adding stuff to a painting. But 'stuff' is usually all there is, it's not straightforward.
I've seen quite a few of Lorraine and David's sketches now, and both of them are great storytellers with a single image. Though very different in style, their image is a message. And with this moley, David surprised me. From the sneak preview I was fairly certain it would have been an abstract in oil pastel. He had already said that it was neo iis, but I was struck when I opened it to find a hand reaching through bars for a wild blue bird.
Here, have a look for yourself at his commentary on freedom.
David's addition in Casey's Freedom moleyI had a bit of a free imagination and already continued. Who wants it next? Vivien or Steph???
8 comments:
Hmmm, it's funny, Gesa - I had a completely opposite take on David's drawing when I saw the image you posted. You've described it as, "a hand reaching through bars for a wild blue bird" and I interpreted it as a person behind bars releasing a bird into the wilds. I suppose your reading of the drawing makes more sense - why would someone imprisoned have a wild bird inside with him? In any case, this does tell a great story and I like the vivid color and emotion of it, David. It really effectively conveys a "crossing over" from one world to another (reaching from a dungeon into the great outdoors?).
Gesa, Map & Destination arrived from you on Friday. My husband is shifting round the innards of our PC so I can't download & play with the photos of your work yet, but should do in the next few days. But I aim to have begun and finished working in it by the end of this week, but I'll be sending it back to Lindsay as Viv's already worked in it. So maybe Vivien would like the Freedon book next? I really don't mind.
Your narrative about the Freedom Moley was beautiful. I saw the image as the captive man reaching out for the bird, in a yearning to touch freedom again, but not to imprison the bird. David, I love this most of all your work I've seen so far.
Nice one... images do not read the same...
Steph, glad it arrived. I will be posting the Freedom moley to Vivien... :)
Excellent! That is the question: is the prisoner reaching out to catch the bird, or release it? I'm pleased with the ambiguity!
Do you not remember that film, Brian, with Burt Lancaster as the Bird Man of Alcatraz? (probably before your time!)[http://www.videodetective.com/?publishedid=5898]
The only other nuance is that the prisoner is in jail because he was caught red-handed :o)
And I agree with Steph - a good bit of story-telling in your piece Gesa. Thanks.
The moley sent to Brian is more abstract.
Love it, David!
Thanks Casey, my freedom man!
I got carried away in my previous comment and forgot to add these lines from the English poet, Richard Lovelace:
"Stone walls do not a prison make,
Nor iron bars a cage;
Minds innocent and quiet take
That for an hermitage;
If I have freedom in my love
And in my soul am free,
Angels alone, that soar above,
Enjoy such liberty!"
Lovely mole and lovely words.
Yes, David, very nice words! The film is in fact before my time although I've heard of it. I'm liking the ambiguity here in your drawing as well. Great work, David!
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