Oodles of Doodles

I’ve just started a series of quick-fire drawings. The initial idea was just to try and draw as fast as I could (without thinking more than a split second ahead) and see what would happen. Most of the doodles are of heads because it just seems to require less concentration to draw a face (something everyone is familiar with) than anything else. And with each of these sketches I’d always start the same way – by drawing an eye as fast as I could, then just seeing where that led. I always find it hard to judge time very accurately when I’m drawing but at each sitting of probably not much more than 20 minutes I’d knock out 10 to 15 of these speed doodles. Although it can be easy to get side-tacked and accidentally start concentrating on what you’re doing – in which case, the drawing looses its fluidity and starts to become a conventional sketch again.
I don’t know if it properly qualifies as automatic drawing but it is fun to step away from the usual high concentration drawing approach for a short while and try something a bit fast and furious. With this method accuracy may go out of the window but you can end up with something quite free or surprising. Some of these pieces work and some of them obviously don't - but either way it is fun to break with the normal practice for a while and see if anything new emerges.

Collaborative Doodles

Here’s the before and after photos of the second painting that I ‘added to’ as part of the mail art Collaborations project set up by the Helsinki based photographer, Adam Monaghan.
I’m not quite sure what was going through my head when I did this one but I suppose that’s one of the joys and draw backs of starting a painting or drawing without having any fixed intentions – which I suppose would make this one a kind of painted doodle. I’ll be interested to see what it turns into once some of the other artists in the group have added their touches to it.
Although the project is still in its early stages at the moment, more and more international artists have started to take part and the initial results can be viewed by clicking this facebook link.

From Finland With Love

Here’s the before and after images from the first piece in a mail art project that I’ve just added my personal touch (the tendrils) to. The project was the idea of the photographer and artist, Adam Monaghan, who is now based in Finland. The basic premise of the project is that Adam sends out sets of four 18 x 18 cm paintings/collages (that he has started) to various artists around the world. These artists then add to the works and post them onto another artist in the group, who does likewise. Once an artist feels the work is complete they return to Adam. Eventually, when all the works have been returned, we’ll have a small show somewhere and exhibit the end results. The artists currently taking part in the project are Tony Deleon in New York, Dale Devereux Barker in Ipswich, Katie Waller in Brighton, Kunigunda Dineikaite in Lithuania, Adam Monaghan in Finland and myself here in London.

Vamalgam 4

Untitled Component Drawing, originally uploaded by Wayne Chisnall.

Because a lot of my sculptural work comes under the umbrella of assemblage I tend to collect large quantities of found objects and materials - always being drawn the things and forms that have a certain resonance, but not always knowing what I will eventually do with them.
In this drawing I have taken a few of these items and, without trying to concern myself too much over matters of how the individual forms relate to each other, I've attempted to morph them all together. This proved to be more easily said than done, as a life time of drawing, awareness of perspective and of trying to accurately create the illusion of 3D forms in a 2D plain can hard wire the brain to following certain rules. None the less I'm quite happy with how it turned out - there are some interesting connections going on. A friend recently said that there was a lot of sexual imagery in the piece. I'm not sure if that says something about him or me.
Anyway - this work has just gone on display in Vamalgam 4, the Victoria and Albert Museum's new staff show. This year's exhibition is the biggest of the four shows, with some of the best work yet. The work ranges from painting, to photography, to drawing, to mixed media and showcases the diverse creative abilities of the people who make up the V and A Museum.

Swirly Skull

Swirly Skull, originally uploaded by Wayne Chisnall.

Here's my latest drawing, Swirley Skull. It's from a small series of skull sketches that I knocked out one night while finishing off a rather nice bottle of red wine. So I'm surprised that the lines turned out as neat as they did. I'm planning to use it in my next edition of screen prints - although I've not yet decided whether to add colour or just to go with black on white.

FEFE Magazine - What You Own Wil Finally Own You

What You Own Wil Finally Own You, originally uploaded by Wayne Chisnall.

The new issue of FEFE magazine is finally out and it has three pages dedicated to my work. My involvement came about thanks to a chance meeting with the magazine's editor/art director, Luigi Vernieri, at a Black Rat Press street art show in Shrodeitch, East London some months ago. Luigi told me that every issue features the work of 25 invited artists, 1 child and 1 writer, who interpret a line or piece of dialogue from a film. When he told me what this issue's theme was going to be I was excited about how I would respond to it as it was from one of my favourite films, Fight Club, and the phrase was 'What you own will finally own you' - a theme that a lot of my previous work has touched upon.
As you can see from the the work (above) that I produced for FEFE, I chose to create a figure that is composed of and ultimately tied down by consumer goods. The image is shown as a centre spead on pages 68 and 69 of the magazine, and page 98 features more of my work along with a short statement.
FEFE magazine is now available in most branches of Borders book shops in the UK as well as in smaller art and magazine outlets. It is also available throughout America, Asian and Europe. For more details about FEFE and their other projects check out www.fefeproject.com

Crutch & Tumour Box Sketch

Crutch & Tumour Box Sketch, originally uploaded by Wayne Chisnall.

When I first had the idea for my 'Crutch & Tumour Box' sculpture I didn't have my sketch book to hand so I quickly scribbled down this thumb-nail sketch (afraid that I would have otherwise forgetten the idea) on a piece of scrap paper and taped it into my sketch book at a later date. Even though this is little more a scribbly little doodle I get quite precious about my drawings and sketch books. I suppose they are the hard copy manifestations of my creative thoughts.
After nearly loosing half of my sketch books to a recent flood in my studio I really should take better care of them. Time to invest in some water-proof containers, 'me thinks'.

Suck Pod Sketch

Suck Pod Sketch, originally uploaded by Wayne Chisnall.

This drawing came about after joking about what might happen if genetic engineering and the sex toy industry ever got together.

Sun Worshipers 1

Sun Worshipers 1, originally uploaded by Wayne Chisnall.

Title: Sun Worshipers 1
Dimensions: 45 x 58 cm
Medium: smooth Hammerite paint & primer
on aluminium
Date: 2004

Nest Box Sketch

Nest Box Sketch, originally uploaded by Wayne Chisnall.

To see more of my sketches and working drawings click on the image above.

Crab Claw

Crab Claw, originally uploaded by Wayne Chisnall.