Next step - combining found materials and annotations...

Based on sketches from my mini notebook I've been looking at using my found charcoal from the woods and combining this with some of the annotations taken with the drawings.


The next stage is to use these back in the map format and see how this works, as I am trying to move on from using the formal shapes of 'Near' and develop something closer to my visual experiences in the woods....


I'll keep you posted on how this goes. 

Nottingham University Cedric Ford Fine Art Competition Winner 2012

The image above is of my winning entry into this years University of Nottingham Cedric Ford Fine Art Competition, titled 'Near'.

The two squares are made from bracken and cow parsley stalks with wood particles, charcoal dust and grass applied on top, all collected from my Coxmoor woods walks last year.


This piece along with twelve other winning entries will be exhibited at Nottingham University along with an exhibition catalogue, and I'll post the information for this once it is known. Anyone can go along to have a look so you're all welcome, it will be a great show...

Annotated Walk (Stepping into the unknown)

The picture shown here is of one of my latest pieces using photographs from around Coxmoor woods and some of the annotations I've made whilst walking.


The quotation down the side is by Henri Federic Amiel and reads...


'Any landscape is a condition of the spirit'

Artists Annotated Book...

Here is one drawing from an annotated notebook which I have just started.


Whilst walking it has been interesting to consider what I take for granted and then to try and see the landscape as if finding it for the first time with explorers eyes, taking notes about the conditions and what I find....

Every 50 Steps...

As well as the maps I'm also working on making up photographic compositions which show a where I tread every 50 steps:






The piece on the left has text at the bottom which says...




40 Recorded Moments
Every 50 Steps
Stone paths, Mud tracks, Reflections, Bricks, Rubbish, Shadows

A few map making ideas...

I've been working on maps of my walks thinking about what and how to represent the features I walk on and through along with what I find.
Shown here are a couple of test maps the one on the right the later version which I prefer with the more formal gridded pattern which also shows the direction of North South East and West.
I am working on the key diagrams thinking about how to give these a more uniform feel rather than the hand drawn effect which I'll show you once developed; keep walking...

A morning of lines, shadows, frost and light....

A walk of complete contrasts one minute in bright sunshine the next in deep shadow highlighting the lines and shapes in the landscape.
With my map making I am developing my own symbols with which to draw with to indicate the features I find as I walk of which I will upload some examples in the next few days....