NINE DRAWINGS ARE NOW IN THE GALLERY ALBUM "ART AND SEX".

To view the ablum, go to "trig.com"


Well here we are, the first drawings on the subject of "Art and Sex". In short, I'm disappointed with the results. Why?...

I was surprized at how many questions doing the drawings posed, with little answers on how I can turn them into paintings. I'm worried that the drawings will not give a real sense of what I'm trying to do and how they will look in the finished paintings. In the painting process the images will be worked up from limited base colors and shapes and as the painting evolves I will define how much detail to put in or leave out.

The drawings have not been done from life (as I have found it hard to find people who wish to have sex in front of me!) and there is no attempt at anatomical correctness. The reason I have stayed away from realism, is the fact that I feel I can create more drama with the sensation of realism removed: Realism would be a distraction?

I have realised that pure abstract paintings may be in danger of being a stage too far - offering no connection with the subject of "Art and Sex"? On the flip-side, how much graphical representation of the reality of Sex should/could be left in before it becomes "dirty". As I say, I have been given more questions than answers but, hey - who said it was going to be easy!

A lot of the drawings are basically (to me) not that good. There is a long way to go yet and a lot of ideas to explore before I will begin the main paintings. I feel that there is not enough drama in the drawings.

Anyway...more drawings to come and the first color workouts. I will add more thoughts on what I'm thinking over the next couple of weeks.

Would love to know what you think - good or bad.

Here we go. This is by way of an introduction into what I will be exploring during 2008. Apart from all the clean, gentle, thoughtful side of life there lies an undercurrent of energy that is realised when the world of Art and Sex is explored. While we go about our daily lifes there lies an undercurrent of energy which is contained within, which is private and not shown to the masses so that we fit within the conformatity of daily life. This is not about love (the caring, sharing and thoughtful side of companionship) but about the base level, raw, animalistic, contained energy that we all have but is not always exposed for the world to see, for reason only know to the individual.

Francis Bacon (English Painter) explored the aspect of this raw energy through many images of couplings. I just loved the way he painted. I have many video documentaries on him, about his life and his work – which I can watch over and over again – as I find his approach, subject and methods so compelling. Through history the nude form has been explored through many artists but I find the majority of the work, a sanitized, diluted representation of the human aspect – like they are somewhat afraid to delve into the base level animal instincts that burn like a furnace within us all.

My main love in Art is abstract painting, which basically means I can paint anything and it can read as anything, to anyone! If I was to paint something, without any preconceived ideas and along the way find suggestions of sexual energy within it, should I push the shapes and color in that direction? Once the sexually charged painting is finished, could I propose that the viewer would connect to this base level of expression, and recognise the underlying reasoning and energy behind the work.

There are clear parallels between Art and Sex. Let look at the following words...

Energy, release, satisfaction, frustration, exploration, hesitancy, to submit to the desires within. The list could go on, yet I feel I have demonstrated the point. As an Artist I feel the same feelings that I do during the all consuming passions of sex.

I have always wanted to draw and paint the “Nude”, yet feel that I could not contain myself or be satisfied with painting the traditional – the figure in a clinical pose. So how can I delve into this raw energy that Sex offers us all? To do abstract paintings based on the seen and unseen energy of Sex. I’m always fascinated by the fact that the world is full of so many different types of people, from so many different social and financial backgrounds but take away their belongings, hang-ups and feelings on their fellow beings, the majority – when reduced to their base level, having their daily life stripped bare, leaving only the animal – an equality is gained.

Just remember, the year is going to be about doing abstract paintings based on the animal instincts contained within – I’m fully aware that individuals have complex and life built around standards, personal history and ideas on life – these paintings are going to be about me: A personal journey and exploration into the connections between Art and Sex. Take from it what you will – I will offer no apology. I just feel that exploring the aspects of Sex with the ability to create art my way of creating new works.

I hope to use the fib. Number sequence and the golden section mean within my work. In conclusion, you may feel that what I have said or suggested a load of crap – just remember, until I explored the world of viruses I would not have discovered the hidden beauty of the subject. This is my own personal journey – in my constant search for something new to paint, in new ways – my quest to always be original and discover new things. Which is very much how I approach Sex?

In conclusion, this was only an intro into what I have in mind for 2008. It may change, I may make mistakes, hold myself open for rebuke. I have often found that new discoveries of any worth have not been born out of conformity.

I have started a new Artist forum in www.trig.com

If you are interested, have a look and please feel free to have some imput.

Thank you for reading,

Mark.