Pathways: Gateshead Millenium Drawing

My work is what I consider to be a form of life drawing - I record life around me in very precise moments of time. I draw and record the bumps in the road, the turbulence in the airplane, and the chaotic patterns that people move in. By letting the pen follow my eye, or trace the movement of my body in space, I am recording my experiences, which, to the unknowing eye, resemble a messy scribble or scratch paper. What these initial drawings actually are, is the foundation or point of departure of a much more complex and intricate drawing, and where every piece I make, begins. In my Pathways series, bridges are the source of inspiration. Bridges demonstrate the physical and mechanical history of engineering, construction, and the development of materials for structural integrity. Living and working in San Francisco, I am surrounded by the history and wonder of technology in the modern world. With paper, thread and ink, I’ve constructed landscapes that resemble various notable bridges around the world. Each Pathway piece consists of small remnants of many different drawings, each with their own history and significance, much like the elements in construction - each is specific and derived from something else. With thread, I’ve reinforced the the path of paper, like the weld of a steel structure. With ink, I paint in areas that would otherwise be unconsidered but have a large influence on the overall composition. I consider these pieces to be studies for a much larger scale body of work.