Dear Sarah 011
Drawing impossible things
(Just joining us? These letters chronicle our full year of daily drawings and accompanying correspondence/conversation. Learn more about Sarah Harvey here. More info about me can be found here.)
Dear Nikki - January 11, 2025
Two more upside down drawings today, inspired by Elise Gravel's brilliant book, The Wrench. In a nutshell, Bob, the main character, can't find his wrench, so he goes to the Megamart where Mr. Mart suggests he buy a Fridge Hat, Musical Pajamas, and a Screaming Machine instead of a wrench. Chaos!! Gravel's illustrations are so funny, precise and bursting with life. My renditions aren't shaded or coloured-in, as hers are, but I think they fulfill the remit of this exercise: Continuous lines, no stopping, no erasing, laughing.
I have not completely seized up from my dance class, but walking up and down some hills today was a bit painful. There was some bonus sunshine today--very little of that lately.
Must forage for food now. Maybe I'll go to the Megamart and see what Mr. Mart suggests.
Dear Sarah - Jsnuary 11, 2025
What a fun exercise! After reading your email I went across the street to the Ueshima Museum, a contemporary art museum with a fun collection of works on display including a couple of Nawa Kohei’s sculptures made of glass balls and beads. I was free to photograph and video (which I did with wild abandon) and after returning to the BNB with my phone bulging with new ideas, I turned my phone upside down and attempted to draw this piece (PixCell-Sharpe’s grysbok - 2023).
I should perhaps have tried the upside-down drawing technique with a simpler subject! Turns out drawing glass balls is no easier done upside down than right-side up. However, it was in interesting exercise in looking and seeing - which, as my dad used to say, is the only real ‘trick’ in art.
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