We are process-based looking to enrich our own creative practices through drawing collaboratively and through the nature of our contact with each other. Each of the three artists begins a drawing from her interest, style and approach. The drawing is changed and enriched by the work of the other members who subsequently contribute to it. Participation requires our willingness to relinquish control over each drawing, responding only to the marks on the page when required, thereby allowing the outcome to be shaped by the group.
These are two images of our collectively drawn pieces
Drawings in the Envelope Series (2009-2011) are worked on in private and must satisfy the following parameters:
-- each piece must fit into an 11" x14" envelope;
-- each artist begins a drawing on a support material of her choice using the drawing medium(s) of her choice;
-- each drawing is randomly passed to another group member who responds to the marks on the page;
-- once the second member is finished, the drawing is then passed to the remaining member to add her response;
-- a drawing is complete when the group says it is.
Here are some close-up images from the Envelope Series
The Tell Us Series (February 2011) provided another approach. The drawings came out of our curiosity to see what would happen when each of us, using the same source material, followed three basic rules: the drawings would not exceed a certain size, we would make fifteen of them and we would use some elements from the same source package.
The Tell Us drawings
The Tell Us series grew out of a curiosity to see what would happen when each of us, using the same source material, followed three basic rules: the drawings would not exceed a certain size, we would make fifteen of them and we would use some element from the promotional package in each drawing.
Our source material was an advertisement featuring romping dolphins. We were sure the drawing would be very different. And so they are.
Drawing the Line Collective
Spring 2011
As a group, we also engage in making large drawings. These are created both privately, with each member working on it without the others present, or with the others present in a private setting, or with all the members working on one drawing in a public setting.
Our drawing process encourages each of us to stretch beyond our comfort zones. We surrender control of our work and in return we find creative stimulation, spontaneous expression, and a greater willingness to experiment.
In August 2011, we had a showing of our collectively made drawings
at the Blink Gallery in Ottawa
DRAWING THE LINE COLLECTIVE
DRAWING THE LINE AT BLINK
Katie Argyle, Gail Bourgeois & Shirley Yik
Invite you to join them at Blink Gallery for an exhibition of their collective drawings. The artists will be at the gallery each day to greet and draw with you.
When: August 4 to August 07
Hours: Friday 1 – 6; Saturday 12 - 5; Sunday 12- 5
Opening: Thursday 6 – 9
Special event: during opening hours the artists will respond with live drawing to the architecture and to the presence of the visitors in the gallery.
www.blinkgallery.ca
Over the duration of the exhibition, the collective members engaged in continuous drawing that responded to the gallery space and to our engagement with the gallery visitors. Paper for these drawings was affixed to selective wall areas within the gallery.
Here are three drawings we created in the gallery.
What we create as a group would never be made by us as individuals.
Here are some pictures taken during our exhibition.
