snapshots from paradise

While previously right-handed, prior to making these drawings I read Betty Edwards' famous book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. I took up the challenge. These drawings — which followed a couple years of practice — were all done with my left hand. At first glance they appear spatially flat. But, as one looks at them, they open up and have considerable depth.

Before engaging this series — from 1987 — I had been sketching in public for some time. Snapshots from Paradise started out (in 1986) as a simple idea written in one of my sketch books:
    "Now children, let's make marks."
There had been an ongoing argument in my mind between the way I learned to draw in art school and the way I learned to draw while working with architects for two and a half years. At the time I was getting ready for a solo motorcycle trip to Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo, Mexico.

I left Vancouver in late November and arrived on the island just before the new year. After exploring it and the mainland a bit I got out the drawing box that I brought with me and started drawing at a small beach called Chemuyil (which is now developed way more than when I was there).

Three things are worth mentioning. While working on this drawing, I started feeling that I didn't want to do this anymore; I did not want to engage this process. The next day I spoke with a writer who I had met earlier. When I mentioned that I felt like something had hooked me she said, "Go with it." As you can see, I did. And there is obviously more going on in these drawings than me sorting out how to draw.

Another is, all of the drawings were done in black and white. Colour was added later to some of them on the prompting of a temporary sidekick, Jeremiah, who was vacationing on the island with his parents for two weeks. He hung out with me as I drew and together we built and flew a kite and made a couple of sand sculptures. He criticized each drawing as it came to life. And, after a week of looking at them he started saying, "But colour would bring them alive, Rob."

And the self-portraits are a nod (or homage) to one of my favourite visual artists: Rembrandt van Rijn. His drawings, mostly from life, are amazing.

While it may seem that I "got the girl" in the end, that wasn't what "he" found. When I returned to art school in the fall of 1987 I was invited by Professor Arnold Saper to show these drawings to the class. At the end of the impromptu exhibition he asked, "So, why did you to go Mexico?"

I hadn't thought about it before and surprised both of us when I replied, "To find my white." We laughed. Only an artist would say such a thing. He then indicated that was a valid answer.

In fact, you may have noticed the drawings are very dark. When I was drawing them they were not dark to me. It is very bright near the equator.

The whole collection was shown at the Casa de la Cultura on Isla Mujeres in late March, 1987.

Originals are 14" X 17" (35.6 cm x 43.2 cm), graphite, negro, and aquarel pencils on acid-free, smooth finish, Rising Parchment paper.

Some of the originals have been sold. The drawings which I still have are available for rent.

Prints will be available at half size: 7" x 8.5" (17.8 cm x 21.6 cm).

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