Our subject is Saguaro, Stone, Sky. The stone is contained, representing stillness and structure. The Saguaro expands toward the sky, representing movement and expression. In developing one’s own voice in the creative pattern, there is a balance that needs to be maintained between form and expression. One must learn a form well enough to internalize it. This mastery of form leads to freedom of expression.
The eye is the third element, the observer, who notices and notates. In this workshop we will explore form, expression and observation in the continuum of drawing, painting and writing.
Line is the unifying element.
Laurie’s students will experiment in playing with line, and will learn to draw, write and paint in a journal or sketchbook. You don’t need to have any experience to learn to do this.
During the workshop, Laurie will introduce students to the practice of blind contour drawing. In this exercise, you draw with your eyes on the subject. The act of drawing something with your eyes on it, not on your paper, is such a beautiful, natural way to really “see,” as your mind is not able to interfere, intruding with its inevitable judgements about right, wrong, good, bad, ugly, beautiful. You can look back at your paper during this process, but you only move your pencil when you are looking at your subject. This practice is about seeing and quality of line, not accuracy! No erasers or edits! Learning to stay with this practice, it will bring you into your body, and even into a sense of the presence of the subject itself. By embracing this practice you will discover you are falling in love with the thing that you are drawing, and forgetting about yourself and your worries.
