Egg!!!
Sometime last year I had a somewhat strange request, which to be honest I gave it very little thought . Just recently the request has come to my attention again as it is now time to fulfill it. I was asked to donate my skill as an artist by drawing on an ostrich egg for a charity auction. The charitable event has been inspired and managed by the oxfordshire gallery 'Iona House'. They have asked many of their well known artists all to donate a piece on a supplied ostrich egg for an enormous egg auction.
When I first agreed to the commission I thought very little of the application of graphite to ostrich egg shell. I actually believed that if I keyed the surface with some sand paper this would make it easier. I was wrong, in fact I was so wrong I thought at one point the task was near impossible. I can quite honestly say that it was the hardest surface I have ever had to draw upon and almost turned to painting it instead. Having no porous qualities the surface of the egg refused to accept any of the graphite I put upon it just moving it around like liquid. In the end it became a case of sheer perseverance and I eventually managed to finish the picture.
I chose to draw a hatchling turtle similar to the one on my edition 'Brave new world' as I thought it was relevant to draw an animal that had newly emerged from an egg.
More details will be given on this auction as it grows nearer and I can assure you it will be a fascinating exhibition, if nothing else it will at least have stretched the skills of the individual artists who have taken part. Let's hope it will raise lots of needed funds for the charity 'Mary's Meals' an African based charity.
Many thanks and speak more soon,
David
When I first agreed to the commission I thought very little of the application of graphite to ostrich egg shell. I actually believed that if I keyed the surface with some sand paper this would make it easier. I was wrong, in fact I was so wrong I thought at one point the task was near impossible. I can quite honestly say that it was the hardest surface I have ever had to draw upon and almost turned to painting it instead. Having no porous qualities the surface of the egg refused to accept any of the graphite I put upon it just moving it around like liquid. In the end it became a case of sheer perseverance and I eventually managed to finish the picture.
I chose to draw a hatchling turtle similar to the one on my edition 'Brave new world' as I thought it was relevant to draw an animal that had newly emerged from an egg.
More details will be given on this auction as it grows nearer and I can assure you it will be a fascinating exhibition, if nothing else it will at least have stretched the skills of the individual artists who have taken part. Let's hope it will raise lots of needed funds for the charity 'Mary's Meals' an African based charity.
Many thanks and speak more soon,
David
Posted by David Dancey-Wood at Friday, February 13. 2009 
Categories: David's Blog
Tags: hatchling turtle graphite 'Brave new world' ostrich egg charity auction David Dancey-Wood oxfordshire gallery 'Iona House' artist 'Mary's Meals' an African based charity
Categories: David's Blog
Tags: hatchling turtle graphite 'Brave new world' ostrich egg charity auction David Dancey-Wood oxfordshire gallery 'Iona House' artist 'Mary's Meals' an African based charity
For once,
words escape me. What on earth can one say ?
Reply to this