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This was my second residency at The Mawddach Residency, and it’s quite interesting reflecting on my experience having done it before - particularly as each residency was very different. I had no specific plan going in this time, apart from that I knew I wanted to focus on Toby, and make cat-centred work. Last time I found my joy in drawing outside - but this time I spent the majority of my time in the studio, and when I wasn’t, I desperately wanted to get back in there! Last time I think maybe I was TOO loose with my intent - I had a broad project I wanted to work on but no specific initial steps. This time, though, I knew I wanted to draw Toby from the get go - so when I wasn’t following him around the house like a lovesick teenager, I was drawing from photos. It was a wonderful combination of more detailed studies in the studio, alongside really quick and loose lines, normally sprawled across the floor somewhere, getting in everyone's way. So my first week was a bit all over the place, but in the most wonderful way - I would follow a tangent for as long as it felt right, and if it didn’t go anywhere, it was fine. I was onto the next thing. I had approximately 6 Big Ideas during this time - none of which were all that big, or ground breaking for anyone besides me - but it was so EXCITING. Sometimes I would feel a tinge of guilt that I wasn’t doing the ‘right’ thing - I felt a pressure to do more drawing outside, or draw more Toby. It led to this whole discussion with Elena and Scarlett about expectations, both internal and (perceived) external, and how much energy we should give them. In the end, I got in the habit of “feeding the voice crumbs” (I realise this makes me sound like a maniac haha) - but if I felt the pressure to do something, I’d spend a tiny bit of time on it, then go straight back to whatever was exciting me. I’m still not sure this is the right strategy, but it’s working for the moment! By the second week I had zeroed in on a big project, and some one-off pieces I wanted to make, and it was really satisfying to work on multiple things at the same time - to have a purpose, but not be completely obsessed with one thing. I don’t normally work like that (as you’ve probably guessed I often get obsessed with one thing), so it was a big lesson for me. I finished the residency not only with a couple of really exciting new projects to work on, but also a craving to create, all the time. I’ve drawn my own cats more than I ever have in my life (they’re tolerating it, barely) and I’m playing in my sketchbook in the evenings, which is a time of the day I’ve always felt I never made good use of before. And I’m addicted to drawing animals from life - I’m feeling very grateful that I live in an area full of ducks, sheep and cows! Some things that I found worked better the second time around:
Things I learnt:
Thank you a million times over Scarlett and Jake (and Toby, my sweet muse) for having me again, I’m not sure this writing quite puts into words how wonderful the experience truly was! Lauren Jayne Hall
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I’m not sure how to put into words all the things I learnt while on my residency - I’m sure I’ll forget something vitally important, but here goes. I actually started the residency with a lot of doubt - that I wasn’t good enough to be there (I’m still suspicious my acceptance was a clerical error?), that I didn’t know what I was doing, that I couldn’t even draw. It took a couple of days of pushing through it to realise I was happiest painting outside, and so this is where I spent most of my days - and this is where I started to feel comfortable, even confident, in drawing all the time, wherever I wanted, and not feel self conscious if other people saw me drawing. I’ve always known theoretically that drawing from life is important, rather than drawing from photos, but it’s something I’ve always struggled with - not being able to decide what to draw, feeling self conscious about the people I’m with or even complete strangers who might look at my work, but these feelings have changed since my residency. I got into a rhythm of going out and drawing whatever drew me in, taking lots of photos, and then going back to sit on the couch in the cosy living room, warm up with a hot chocolate, and thumbnailing ideas for my characters referencing the drawings and photos. I’d realise that I needed more detailed paintings of certain elements, and the next day go out with the purpose of finding that location and painting it again - and of course, find more interesting things as I was out, starting the whole process again. I started to realise what I want to draw, and how I want to capture it. Drawing so much from life also really made me LOOK at things - in a way I haven't for a long time. I notice more textures, colours, shapes, and it makes me appreciate every little detail around me. The skill of looking is something that comes and goes for me, and I’ve realised it’s one of those muscles I need to continue to exercise when I get home. I also did so much life drawing - I attended all the Draw Brighton sessions which I usually struggle to do, plus even went to a real life session with Scarlett (which also included some wonky drawings of each other on the train and a lot of drawings of dogs - probably my most joyful experience of the whole trip!) and realised how much I love drawing people (and dogs) from life. I attempted to draw strangers in cafes in Barmouth a couple of times with mixed success - but the experience really made me think it’s a skill I’m keen to improve! Modelling for Draw Brighton’s portrait session was also a joy - sitting in Jake’s studio, listening to my favourite music, was actually a really surreal and calming experience, and seeing people’s drawings and paintings of me put a smile on my face for days!! I don’t want to play favourites, but seeing Jake’s drawing of me was another highlight of my residency, as I think he perfectly captured my serene feelings of that evening. I’ve come away from this experience really understanding the importance of drawing from life, how much it forces me to simplify and use my own voice, but it’s also given me confidence that I am an artist and I can capture things however I want and whenever I want - it’s about the process of creating that makes me an artist rather than the success of the outcome. I’ve come home with a hunger to draw, paint, draw, paint, capture and understand everything, and it’s EXCITING. website |
