In Touch

Drawing is a kind of conversation between the hand and the material. Pausing to look closely one can see the movement, pressure, speed, and sometimes the emotion of the hands making, unmaking, and remaking marks. Shading can become almost sculptural, carving forms into the drawing surface or into the illusionary space beyond it. Lines almost erased or smudged give clues as to the process the artist undertook while accident and intention blur.

The works in this exhibition were produced by the artists from one online course of Drawing Skills Studio 1, and are inspired by video and text prompts as well as online meetings and discussions. Each week, the students came together to view each other’s drawings, and so together we were invited to see glimpses of these personal and material conversations. Looking, we learned about each other in ways that is only possible though shared artistic exploration. This exhibition acts as a record of a time when a group of artists came together through an online class and found generosity, community, friendship, and learning. The exhibition also represents a continuation of this community and continued practice in drawing by artists with a range of backgrounds and experiences.

–Travis Freeman, Instructor (September 2022)

Yi Mei

A TOMATO ON A STOOL

Charcoal, 18” x 12”, 2022

I loved the moment that a stream of light hit a tomato on a stool. I practiced my sketches for more than three hours that morning. I tried to apply lines to shape objects and build up space by perspective. To contrast the light and adjust the tones of black, grey, and white, I added a reflection on the window.

EGGS

Charcoal, graphite pencil, coloured pencil, 18”x 12”, 2022

I performed an experiment with different materials on drawing paper.

BOOTS

Charcoal, 17” x 14”, 2021

To explore the structure and the form of these boots, I tried to observe and draw like an X-Ray machine.

DAILY QUICK DRAWINGS

Charcoal, A4/each, 2020

Practicing quick drawings is the best way to improve my sketching skills. Still-life inspiration is all around me, like my coffee machine, a cup, my bedroom. I also did some figure drawings.

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Karan Sidhu (MoonShine)

REACTION TO ACTION

Graphite, charcoal, mixed media paper, 14” x 17”, 2022

This is a hand gesture that is made when individuals feel uncomfortable or angry. It is also made as a symbol of resistance. This drawing depicts the lack of acknowledgement towards actions that lead to social activism.

IGNORING US (from the series, Strangers)

Graphite, charcoal, acrylic, mixed media paper, 11” x 14”, 2022

This series’ first piece depicts the beginning of an individual's journey back to themselves.

STRANGER IN MY BED (from the series, Strangers)

Graphite, charcoal, acrylic, mixed media paper, 11” x 14”, 2022

As the series continues, the individual finds themselves unaware of their true identity, facing away from their reality.

FACING MYSELF (from the series, Strangers)

Graphite, charcoal, acrylic, mixed media paper, 11” x 14”, 2022

In the final piece, the individual is confronted with the once seen “stranger” as they return to themselves.

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Prasad Dalvi

A SNAG

Pencil on paper, 11.5” x 15”, 2022

Hot summers around the globe are referenced in this drawing. What have we done to our planet?

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Val Brubacher

These works explore the relationship we have with nature and how we find balance by connecting with the earth. 

RELEASE 

Charcoal pencil, 17" x 14"

DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

Charcoal pencil,  14" x 17"

MEDITATION

Charcoal pencil, 17" x 14"

CROSSING WIRES

Charcoal pencil and pastel,  11.5" x 15"

ALOE SHADOW

Charcoal pencil,  12" x 16"

Milan Kang

IF MY BREATHING STOPS

4B Pencil, 2022

It felt complicated when I saw Rescue Anne, the so-called CPR Dummy, last March. I wanted to sketch the strange face that passed from life to death but was doomed to come back to life.

ALL MY TWISTED MEMORIES

Charcoal on wet paper, 2022

I carefully categorize images and text files that I have stored on my laptop and copy them onto my backup drive twice. However, sometimes, I can't find a specific file when I need it. What’s the problem, my brain or technology?

Neil Ornstein

Art=Play

AIR CURRENTS

Digital

EGG CULT

Charcoal/Digital

HAND

Pencil/Digital

RADISH DANCE

Mixed Media/Digital

SONORA

Digital

VANITY

Mixed Media/Digital

CONFESSION

Mixed Media/Digital

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Barry Strasbourg-Thompson

These multimedia drawings, created under the working title “CONSCIOUS CONTACT – STAYING IN TOUCH,” are sourced in the early research of a new series of works that includes invitations to my art community for co-created artworks. My research project rests on the hypothesis that digital images limit the possibility of a truly “diaphanous” experience. This research and published work will seek to verify or dispute my hypothesis. For me, artwork made by a human hand in a drawing, touches me deeper than a mechanical digital artwork. Even when I digitize my own hand made work, I experience the resulting image as less diaphanous than the original.

CONSCIOUS CONTACT – STAYING IN TOUCH (H7505192022)

Charcoal water mix, acrylic, graphite, charcoal, acrylic gel, conte, 12” x 12” x 3”, 2022

CONSCIOUS CONTACT – A LOVER’S TOUCH (H7509052022)

W/N Fine liner and charcoal on H/J 75 lb/150g. a/f paper, 6” x 9”, 2022

CONSCIOUS CONTACT – STAYING IN TOUCH

W/N Fine liner, cardboard packaging cut-out, charcoal, conte, coloured charcoal, acrylic, a/f fixative on birch panel, 12” x 9” x 1”, 2022

CONSCIOUS CONTACT – STAYING IN TOUCH (H7527072022)

Acrylic, fibre and 22k gold leaf on canvas, 48” x 60” x 2”, 2022

CONSCIOUS CONTACT – STAYING IN TOUCH (H7506082022)

Charcoal, conte, acrylic, 22K gold leaf on Canson a/f paper, 9” x 6”, 2022

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