the ghosts of night, the dreams of day

Had a lovely day yesterday, drawing for the love of drawing rather than for work. I always love catching up with Urban Sketchers Yorkshire, my sketchcrawling buddies, too. We spent the day at the National Emergency Vehicles Museum in Sheffield. It was right up my tree. Loved the subject matter. I could spend another day, or ten, there. And, maybe even a night; apparently there are many ghosts in this former police and fire station. If you believe in that sort of thing, of course. I don't but I'm willing to have my mind changed.

 There was a very specific colour scheme too. Reds, blacks and a little yellow were the colours of the day. I managed to not take seventeen pencils cases, which is an achievement for me, and narrowed it down to just the three sketchbooks. I always try to take some tools that I wouldn't normally draw with at home. I try and play a bit more on sketchcrawls. It feels like the right place to do that as you often encounter subject matter you wouldn't normally choose to draw. The red Bingo dabber was an inspired choice of pens.

 Here's something I've noticed during October, as I'm participating in Go Sober For October, I do a lot more with my weekends. It's much easier when you're not factoring in a 'big night' or a hangover. That's just another benefit to being sober; doing more stuff with your time. Just look at how my blogging has increased in the last month!

 The museum holds a vast range of fire service related memorabilia that had previously been sitting in attics and local fire stations all over the county and amongst the exhibits were prisoner files from the last century. I found these the most fascinating of all, and below are my drawings of some of the mugshots from around the 1940s. It's funny how just by drawing somebody, spending that time studying someone, you can feel a real connection with them. I don't just want to now more about the faces I drew, I feel an empathy, sympathy, for them. Protective towards them even, like I knew them. I guess what I'm trying to say was that I was touched by them. Maybe I do believe in ghosts.

tell me have you ever seen me

I was looking through some old stuff yesterday. Throughout my life I've always made books. Books of stuff. Books about nothing much. Just about life, I guess. I found this one which is about 15 years old. It's jam packed with drawings, photos, thoughts and ideas. I hadn't looked through it for years.

This page, particularly, made me smile. Not just because it looks like one of my drawings. And not just because Weller and Young can all be found amongst the stamps and other bits and pieces from places I've visited. But mostly because this is, without a doubt, my favourite photo of my mam and dad. Looking fabulous. Looking like a couple of young Mods.

I'm getting this urge. A feeling that I might just draw this entire page in one of my Moleskines.

it's a joy to know

I love that time when you are just about to fall asleep. That moment in between awake and asleep. It's such an creative space. For example, last night at that very moment, I just knew that I had to, that I really really must, add a wood grain to the background of this ole drawing. Why? Who can say. I could analyse it, but I think it's best not to.

And, what can I say about my last post? Just that I am completely blown away by the response. I'm still speechless (not that you'd notice), and will be sure to keep you posted on the building of the AJ empire. Thank you, all, so very much.

One more thing, you can now follow A Heavy Soul on Twitter. That's me by the way. Andrea Joseph was already taken. The swines!

Cheers, my dears.

aware of the muse

Regular visitors may have noticed that I don't draw too many people. I find it quite a challenge. I am never happy with what turns up on the page. I do practice at it, though. Behind the scenes. I just don't share. But what the hell. So, here's John and Paul. Lennon and Weller, that is.

I have just finished the first sketchbook. These a couple of the better ones (I know, imagine the worse!). I know that when it comes to drawing people, photo realism is definitely not for me. So I tried out a technique I heard of on Danny Gregory's blog, some time ago. It's the one where you draw the portraits upside down. Not me, I wasn't upside down, silly. You turn the photo, that you are copying, upside down. It's really really good fun. So, even when the drawings turn out crap, at least you've had a good time.

hanging out my old love letters

(Click on drawing to view)

This was an interesting drawing to do. It stirred up so much stuff, about school and what it was like being that age. I hated school. I know that's a strong emotion but it's how I felt about it. What I didn't know then was that such strong emotions would make good material further down the line.

I can't remember doing much graffiti on my desk at school. But that's one of the great things about drawing. Now I can live out all that stuff on paper. My teenage rebel can have the space to run wild (with her pen) and do all those things I was to scared to do.

Another thing this drawing brought back was how many crushes I had back in the day. Lots. And lots. Even though they've now all drifted off into my long term memory they, too, make good material. There's one still continues. Decades later and I'm still worshipping at the altar of Paul Weller.

'Exercise Book' print available HERE.

in a moment, in a single moment

I'm calling this one done. When I started this drawing, and posting it step by step, I said that I had no idea where it was going. I must admit that was not completely true. I actually believed that what I was doing was taking THIS 'air mail' drawing out of my sketchbook and reworking it onto paper. So throughout, as I was laying down the layers of blue ballpoint, in the back of my mind I was expecting to make the final post the one where I'd change the whole mood of the drawing by adding the red. However, the drawing had a mind of it's own and took me somewhere else completely.

I can't tell you how much I love that. How a drawing, or creative practice in general, makes you the passenger on a journey. I've been wondering at what point this one changed direction, from the original idea. Where it turned down a side street. It could have been the slight turquoise-y colour of one of the ballpoints that changed things. It could have been the mood I was in or the music I was listening to. It could have been the calling card that came through the door or the hair band I found. Of course, it was all those things.

I don't know how I feel about the finished piece. I think it's over worked. I'm really annoyed about the shade of blue that I made the shadow in the bottom right hand corner. But hell, right now I want to post it and move on to the next one. 'Cause right now it's telling me it's done. Finished. Finito.

(I also promise I've finished with the Paul Weller references. Now where's that Joni lyric book....)

you made up my mind for me

I hadn't planned to do this work in progress thingy, but there's a time and place for everything. And this is one of those times. I guess that these many layered drawings are just right for showing that step by step process. And, of course, it means I get lots of posts out of the one drawing. Just what you need when you're going through a dry spell. So, you see, my mind was made up for me. So easily.

it goes on and on

Phew. Perhaps my longest drawing ever. I got lost in this baby for days. And so, when I look at it, how do I feel? A sense of pride, accomplishment, achievement? Well, no actually. All I see is that little bit of map that I well and truly messed up on - just above the Chopper drawing, behind the Passing Time card. Can't keep my eyes off it. Damn.

Anyway there is a theme going on amongst all the stuff and nonsense. I won't say anymore I think all the clues are on the board. I think. Do you know what it maybe?
(Click on image to view)

you've got the moon on your pyjamas...

...and the stars in your eyes.

(Everyday matters challenge #138, draw something soft.)

I've got a heavy soul...

....and it's a joy to own.