DRAWING
Once a week, in Hugh L.'s level 2 drawing class at York University,
we would do a two hour study of a nude. These were often awkward classes,
and were seen as quite out of place at York when Hugh introduced them
in the early 1980's. There was, in fact, a derogatory sign put above
the door of the studio one day which read, "The Fourteenth Century
Begins Here". Such was the "open" attitude at York at the time.
This drawing was made on January 24, 1983. The woman modelling had become
a regular by then, but her name now escapes me. She was very comfortable
with her body, her job, and the students in the studio. Between sessions
she would put on her robe, walk through the fine arts building with us,
and grab a coffee while talking freely about our drawings, or dreams,
or whatever. I grew quite fond of her, and this drawing captures that
in its sensitivity and excitement.
I studied academic drawing after leaving York, and never again came close to
capturing the life in this drawing. Unfortunately, it is hard to return
to one's primal roots after being civilized, but the truth inherent in this
drawing inspires me towards rawness, simplicity, intuition and romance.
This work remains in my collection.
Your comments and questions are welcomed. E-mail me.