Tequila, a Doll, some Dishes: this week's drawings

The Empty Bottle. 9" x 6", fountain pen on paper.

Mexico has been much on my mind lately. In Washington, we have Obama making a bold executive order about immigration. In Mexico, continuing violence by the drug gangs, and massive public protests. Last night's anti-government-corruption demonstrations in Mexico City were peaceful, but I am worried: I've come to care a lot about this country and it people. The drawing wasn't a result of conscious thinking. For some reason we've kept this thick glass bottle that we bought in the Mexico City airport, intrigued by its name and design. Awareness of the Mexican revolution is still everywhere: in the street and building and monument names, in popular culture, in the murals. Spiraling violence, government corruption and increasing revelations of government complicity with the drug cartels have created increasing frustration and anger. After the recent killings of protesting students in Guerrero state, apparently handed over to a gang by the mayor of a town and his wife, who had ties to the group, public outcry has risen to its highest in recent memory. I'm the last person to condone violent revolution, or violence of any kind, but I greatly admire the spirit of the Mexican people and their tradition of protest, and I share their outrage. This week the image on this bottle (the paired guns, much larger, are also deeply impressed in the glass on the back) seemed ominously appropriate : the Mexican revolution was intended to give power back to the people, and they remember that. Today I saw a Mexican proverb posted on social media: "They tried to bury us. They didn't know we were seeds." How much we, in this rich country (where we buy the drugs and refuse their citizens entry) have forgotten.

Dish Drainer. 9" x 6", blue fountain pen on paper.

A very fast drawing made after dinner one night, intrigued by all the shapes and the complexity of how they fit together. This image would easily lend itself to abstraction, but I can't say that abstraction interests me very much these days. I seem to be drawn toward the concrete and the everyday.

Old doll in my Studio. Grey ink and wash on paper, 9" x 12".

I've had this doll ever since I can remember. She was given to me by a close friend of my grandmother's, a single woman who lived in New York City and traveled a good deal. I also have a small heart-shaped box with the same yarn embroidery that must have come from her as well, but I've never known what country's folkloric costume she is wearing. I've always thought she was from eastern Europe - maybe Hungary - does anyone know? Her dress is red with yellow and green embroidery and colored ribbons, and she wears a lace chemise and large gold earrings, and a long red headscarf. Her enigmatic, sideways glance intrigues me, and I'm hoping to explore other ways to use her more expressively in still life compositions.

Where are these drawings going? I don't know. Maybe toward paintings, maybe toward some larger charcoals where the relationships between objects are more developed. I figure eventually they'll tell me themselves. Right now, they are practice, and exploration.

Comments

[Priya Sebastian]

These are beautiful drawings. I love the rapid energy of your lines and how much beauty they bring to the images of everyday objects.

[Roderick Robinson]

All the images you post are worthwhile but this one - the bottle - in particular. Taking a photo is over in a moment, there is little engagement. A drawing (even done retrospectively) requires time, concentration and imagination - all of which form the drawer's tribute to the subject. You have not merely passed through; your commitment is obvious, especially important as accompaniment to a post in which you sympathise with Mexico and Mexicans. A drawing beats text since text is more a matter of mediation. I've envied you your other skills (How's the choir going?), now here's another.

[Beth]

Thanks, Priya. These drawings seem to be emerging on their own and I'm just following the prompts. It's odd. I do feel like they're lively, and am glad if that comes across.

Roderick, thanks for your comment. All I can say is that drawing is an activity that helps me get through life. It's a time of stepping back from the fray, concentrating, meditating in a way. Like practicing an instrument, it's not escapism but a different way of experiencing oneself, where the relentlessness of time and human demands seems less important for a while. And then, gradually, something is built up from those small retreats from ordinary life. you should know: writing is another such activity.

[john]

thanks beth and yes I share an affinity for Mexico as well.I was first there so long ago when I was about 19. " you say about our Govt. we 'refuse their citizens entry' yeah well last year I send airline tickets to Mexico so that a student from a very small town in Mexico we had supported financially for about three year through a Rotary Charity could,as a High School graduation present, come to Canada to spend two weeks with us. Because of the visa requirement she had to go through the hassle and expense and go the Canadian consulate in Guadalajara to do that.As well the consulate required a letter from me confirming I would carry all the expenses and see to it she was bundled home after two weeks.I did that.Then MY PEOPLE in Guadalajara don't you know contacted me,and people in my office will attest that was not a good day,
and I was informed I needed to provide satisfactory evidence of my financial werewithal to make sure I could backstop my commitment.Okay when the student Nathaly arrived and it was clear to me despite her understated manner and innate politeness,her reception at Canada customs/passport control,was not friendly,I let that go as anyone can have a bad day. But in my faxes to then Minister Kenney's office not so much.I said the Prime Minister had gone on record as promising to fix the visa irritant with Mexico. 'Where is the beef?'.I take getting jerked around personally ,I am your base but you can tell your people not to bother calling me anymore seeking $ for the Party

[Rubye Jack]

Maybe it is high time we make drugs legal with regulations. Having them illegal certainly doesn't seem to keep anyone from using them.

[Hattie]

You have become so prolific all of a sudden. I like all your drawings,especially the kitchen sink abstraction,which amuses me.