New artwork on the map is always exciting, but especially so when it helps to show the very different ways we can represent a place through art. Recently, Jan Kinrade sent in two of her ink sketches of Derbyhaven. I'm delighted to have some abstract work on the map and just love how she can convey the feeling of a place through her art. In this week's post, I'll take a look at how Jan's sketches work with some of the other art depicting that area to demonstrate the wonderful variety in art and artists. It's an exciting and special thing!
These are beautiful, abstract sketches and I just love the layers and the texture. Jan worked on these pieces on Derbyhaven beach and has evoked the wonderful peace and light of that place.
These sketches work very well with other artwork from that area to show the variety of art you can create from just one place.
Sue King's acrylic paintings of Langness and Fort Island are less abstract but the landscape is abstracted into areas of colour. The flowing lines and drifts of colour also express the nature and the special light found in that area.
There are two artworks on the map that come from the nearby area of Castletown beach. Rosie J Wood's pebble sketch demonstrates the joy of concentrating on just one item and translating that into art. You never get to know something as well as when you draw it and you always see details that you would have missed if you just studied the item for a couple of minutes. The texture Rosie has achieved is fantastic and her use of white ink over the top in more fluid lines reminds me of the flowing ink on Jan's sketches and the flowing lines on the paintings from Sue. I think these flowing lines flow from straight from the soul.
The second piece from Castletown Beach, finds me also choosing to concentrate on the pebbles there. To be honest, I find it hard to concentrate on much else on any pebbly shore. Pebbles are like wonderful little treasures, each different and with its own character. I chose to show a collection of them as I love the different colours and enjoy using watercolour under the coloured pencil.
There's much less flowing going on here though and I aspire to become looser with my art. I'm getting there, a little, when I work in acrylic and ink, but I always miss the security of the pencil. I think it's a case of the brain getting in the way of the soul. I'll have to keep practising!
If you'd like to see more from any of the artists featured in this post then take a look at their instagram pages:
@jan.kinradeart
@rosiejwood
@obbyr_chlooidee (Sue King)
Thanks so much to Jan for sending in her sketches and helping to build our fantastic resource. I can't wait to take this into schools later this year. If you'd like to contribute a photo of your finished sketch, stitch, print, collage or painting to the map, then send it to emma@iomnj.com with details of the location being depicted. Remember, it's fine to focus on just 'one thing' from that place, it doesn't have to be a whole landscape (although landscapes are fine too)!
I'll be back with another post in a fortnight,
Emma
It’s wonderful to see how the map is really building up now. Such a beautiful resource to be taking into schools across the island!