Graphite ‘Collages’ – Process, contradicting methods and notes to self

This process of pushing and pulling. Reworking, drawing, erasing, re-drawing, erasing…until it begins to ‘feel’ right; by that I mean: until a balance is found. It only takes one mark to imbalance the whole.

Chance plays a part throughout. As much as is possible when selecting images to render.

A relaxed battle is sought. Allow for space, time and accidents. Be steadfast and occasionally brutal. Obliterate to create and all that. Work at it, with it, until it – quite often suddenly – feels right. There is always a line to cross and you need to push through it.

Relaxed persistence.

Sometimes – rarely – two , maybe three elements/images will naturally come together by chance (not pure) and they will work as if destined to be together. Work with them.

Rational mind relaxes, unconscious follows.

Draw – erase – draw – erase… Until it works.

Be mindful of unintentional chance echoes. Harness these. Connections are forged beyond you.

Be careful: images will feel forced into a space where they don’t belong. Don’t ever dismiss instincts.

Revel in the quality of the materials; the variations and varieties.

Resist cliche. Accept the unexpected.

Drain off the aspirations. Allowing time to do so.

The part has access to the whole.

Meaning is often accrued after the event…After the act: Eyes constantly moving like in a dream. Narrative appears briefly, follows a ruptured bridge to dense fog. A figure looms faceless, watching over everything, like a Sphynx riddle. A screen glows erupts into the centre of a black-hole-cave. Entrance to exit. Dream is like a ruptured film reel. Dream echoes.