March so far – Women’s International Day, Three Lines and 28 Drawings Later

Not to mention drawing Washington Irving's Leap Year Birthday Party, Nick Fells' experimental sound piece inspired by and using the sounds created by the incredible machines at the Sharmanka Kinetic Theatre as part of 'First Thursday' at Trongate 103, plus some other drawing work.  Will create a new post for those too. 


Next Monday I'm starting an intense but exciting week long residency with playwright/writer Lynda Radley.  You can read a little teaser of who we will be working beside, and a tiny bit about our own project here. 


It's been a jam packed fortnight, and now it's Wednesday, two weeks since I arrived in Scotland for two months of creative output, and indeed a lot of input too.

Three Lines

We've had some great feedback about our improvisation piece Three Lines, with musician Jer Reid, dancer Monica de Ioanni and myself.  This is what the festival organisers had to say about our 'World Premier' on Saturday 3rd March at the experimental sound/music festival 'Sound Thought'.


'Just dropping you a quick line to say thank you again on behalf of The Arches, Glasgow Uni and the Sound Thought Committee for presenting Three Lines as part of the festival. It was such a beautiful piece and the projection looked amazing in the Studio.'

We're awaiting on some footage of our performance by the marvellous Benoit Moulanier, but for now you can see some gorgeous photos courtesy of the rather talented Greg Neate.

Three Lines i copyright Greg Neate (c) 03032012

Three Lines ii copyright Greg Neate (c) 03032012

You might also fancy taking a look 'Here' which is an excerpt of the video created by Mettje Hunneman of the piece we performed at Video Lab, in Edinburgh 4 days later.

28 Drawings Later

28 Drawings Later - Victoria gives a speech

I was also part of the 28 Drawings Later project which was a fantastic initiative by artist Victoria Evans inspired by the NaNoWriMo writing project, but takes place in February - hence the 28 Days element, and is specifically for drawing. Growing from about 500 followers to 1500 in the space of a month, and yes, there was an extra day this year :)  I would thoroughly recommend getting involved in it next February as it's a great kick starter to the year as well as being a booster for your confidence and drawing skills. 

The expo Victoria put on of all the prints of drawings posted through to her, was very well organised and very well attended - a lot of buzz in the various arts grapevines.

My 28 Drawings Later Pictures all in order, downstairs
(c) Greg Neate 2012

Checking out my drawings upstairs
(c) Greg Neate 2012

Then there was the Garterstitch100 101st Celebration of International Women's Day.

Alyana Galyana (Drawing to come later).
Photo (c) Catherine Barthram 2012

Garterstitch 100 was an initiative started by two hugely talented and inspiring young ladies, Jetson and Jansson, who put on one epic day of 100 events in one venue - the Tramway in Glasgow.  Since it was a significant date being the 100th anniversary, and since they had also discovered that 100 million women have been noted missing due to extreme gender discrimination since records have begun, they decided to illustrate this in the most incredibly gentle and powerfully affecting way - they tried to get 100 million stitches of knitting.

They didn't quite get all that amount - around 26 million at final count, but they did get more than they could ever have imagined and hoped for via knitting posted from around the world, locally and internationally, from men and women young and old.  Not to mention all the overwhelming individual stories, photos and letters of support, as well as all the dancers, artists, musicians, actors, writers, members of public, etc etc who provided some sort of inspirational talk, event, installation, dance, song, sharing, colour, crafting, drawing, art, knitting and more - This was 'loop'.

Last Thursday, the 'loop' officially closed with the 101st International Women's Day Garterstitch event after four glorious arts filled days throughout the year to celebrate, commemorate, empower and inspire women - and everybody else! - with so very many taking part in some beautiful, helpful, and monumental little way.  Much thanks and praise should go to Catherine Barthram who gladly and expertly took the torch and accompanying responsibility from Jetson and Jansson at their last Garterstitch organised event back in September. Jansson was present at last week, and Jetson who couldn't make it due to being in a touring theatrical production was greatly missed, though present in every colourful stitch of knitting present in the blankets and woollen bits and pieces present in the space.

Penny Chivas dancing to a song from Alyana Galyana at the 101st International Women's Day
Photo (c) Catherine Barthram 2012

Garterstitch 100 chose 5 different national and international women's charities to support - Apne Ap, Care, Fawcett Society, GWL, The Women's Support Group raising money from all the events, and all the knitting donated which were made into blankets and sold at other various craft fairs courtesy of the Garterstitch team. It looks like we're very very near the £5000 mark if not WELL passed it, so that will be a joyful slice for each charity towards their wonderful work.

The Framed pictures that were up for auction.
Photo (c) Catherine Barthram 2012

You still might be able to grab an original drawing I created from last year's amazing loop 100th anniversary of International Women's Day here at http://loopdrawings.tumblr.com/

It's been absolutely incredible being a part of it all, and has been almost unfathomable in how many folk it has inspired and brought together in so many wonderful ways, myself included.  I have made an awesome new bunch of friends who inspire me more and more every day, and I'm a better and more creative person because of it.  See what you can get involved with that can enhance this ever growing caring and creative community, share and be inspired yourself.  You can see the archive and more of what the Garterstitch Team got up to here. 

For now, I'm chilling at my folks after a very full and enjoyable fortnight with their dog MacDuff and Conan the cat. 

Majestic March!!! - Drawing events and performances for your diary!

Hey hey! It's cooking up to be a busy March!
I'll be back in Scotland for 6 weeks from next Monday for a few events I'm drawing/participating/co-organising. If you fancy something drawing based, alternative and involving, cast your eye over these.


First up - 3rd March, Sound Thought Festival, The Arches, Glasgow/7th March, Videolab, Edinburgh

Three Lines: Improvised Drawing/Music/Dance
Jenny Soep, Jer Reid, Monica de Ioanni

Two improvised drawing/music/dance performances I'm part of with experimental musician Jer Reid and the beautiful dancer Monica de Ioanni as part of Sound Thought in Glasgow, and Videolab in Edinburgh.  I'll be creating projected drawings inspired by Monica de Ioanni's dancing which will then inspire Jer Reid's music which will then inspire my drawing.  A chain of influential actions.  Get tickets for the Arches performance here.



Second Up - 4th March, The Old Hairdressers, Renfield Lane, Glasgow 6pm until Midnight

Exhibition Launch - 28 Drawings Later
Glasgow based artist Victoria Evans is the brainchild behind this fantastic project to get anyone and everyone drawing. As it says on the poster, 'What happens if 200 people draw everyday for a month?'
It's been such a great project to be part of - confidence boosting, inspiring, enlightening, educational, frustrating, fun, and above all gratifying.
The exhibition of originals will be upstairs for one night only, with the copies downstairs being exhibited until the 7th.  The copies will become part of a recycled drawing workshop at the International Women's Day event. (Info below!)



Third up - Thursday 8th March, The Old Hairdressers, Renfield Lane, Glasgow 12pm until Midnight

The Garterstitch all day event for International Women's Day, which you might be interested in (it's going to be pretty awesome by the way!!)  Following on from last year’s gloriously colourful celebration of the centenary of International Women’s Day, Loop|Garterstitch100 has organised a day of events in the Old Hairdressers to be enjoyed by the women, men and children of Glasgow. Browse the pop-up Glasgow Women’s Library, participate in a drawing workshop, watch and dance, try out some alternative crafting with the Garnethill Women’s Institute, eat some cake, listen to music, reflect on talks and information, participate in a sound project, browse and bid for the art works of illustrator Jenny Soep…
Check out more info on what exciting artists/musicians will be performing and what workshops you can participate in here.


Myself and Emma Hagen have a workshop in particular between 1-3pm. Details as follows -

WORKSHOP - DRAWING LIVING THEATRE with Emma Hagen and Jenny Soep

Think of a woman in your life. She could be you. 

What's your least favourite thing about her? What's your favourite?

Drawing Living Theatre is an interactive workshop using drawing, drama and creative action methods to explore a chosen topic.  

At this particular event, the 101st year of International Women's Day, we look at one negative aspect of a woman in your life, the possibility to accept this, and celebrate the positive. There are always at least two sides, and it can be good to take a fresh look at the flip side.

Thursday 8th March, 1-3pm, upstairs at The Old Hairdressers (opposite Stereo) Renfield Lane.

Fourth up - 19th-25th March - 360 Narrative Residency with playwright Lynda Radley

I'm going to be part of a pretty cool residency in Stirling with the pretty fantastic playwright Lynda Radley. It's going to be about a couple of sisters called Snow White and Rose Red who are midwives in a strange and alternative possibly post apocalyptic Earth.  Having been a fan of Lynda's previous work (Birds and Other Things I Am Afraid Of, The Art of Swimming, Futureproof) it's been a boon to get involved.  The project is part of the 360 Narrative initiative to find other platforms for theatre/playwrighting and there are 5 other groups/partnerships involved.  Have already looked at the itinerary for this intensive creative blowout week, and as much as I feel super privileged to be a part of it all, I'm super excited to get stuck in.  There's also going to be a darts tournament!!!  Need I say more...


Apart from all that, I'll be creating my 'documentary' style drawings at various artsome and quality musicsome events as usual.  Keep updated on my Facebook page - Drawing The Experience.  Perhaps I'll see you somewhere with your own sketchbook!

Scotland Visit -

Quality quality gig tonight - Bonny Prince Billy. Pictures to come, along with drawings of RM Hubbert's wonderful album launch gig at Stereo on Friday supported by the right rivetingly off the wall 'Tattie Toes', plus some drawings of an alternatively and equally fascinating scientific music, poetry and art night at Inspace with Unravel (Aidan Moffat, Found as well as Chris Meade) last Thursday evening in Edinburgh.

Bonnie Prince Billy plays The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections, and courtesy of the lovely Nuala Kennedy who got him over here. 

Bonnie Prince Billy plays The Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow as part of Celtic Connections, and courtesy of the lovely Nuala Kennedy who got him over here. 

Had a lovely rehearsal on Friday with Jer Reid and Monnica Deioanni for our trio piece at Sound Thought, The Arches. Tomorrow having a meeting about the fourth International Women's Day event I'm involved in, plus meeting with the rather fantabulous digital/animatory whizzkid Dave Sapien too for some projected digital drawing chat. All looking real good, enough to get rather excited about.

Aidan Moffat reads as part of the Unravel Installation created by him and the Found art collective with Simon Kirby

Words by Aidan Moffat, members of the art collective Found with Simon Kirby, members of the Electric Bookshop and Chris Meade of ifbook and bookfutures. Very exciting programme/residency with talks on each Thursday up until mid February. Well worth getting a ticket if you can. Inspace is a very exciting multimedia gallery based within Edinburgh university, and they've housed Found's wonderful Bafta award winning Cybraphon project there too.  You can see Cybraphon if you manage the Unravel expo before it finishes.

It's been a busy five days my friends, where I also managed to get my self - assessment/tax shenanigans dealt with, plus got a lovely 24 hours back with my Nana, my Folks, MacDuff the dog and Conan the cat. A good few pictures to upload so look again very very soon. Soon as I get back to my lovely Stockholm tomorrow night and crank up the Scanner. xx

Sound Thought, Wintercyle and Beyond

Good to see we're up already on Sound Thought. Quite excited about the improvised collaboration (a trio) between myself, experimental musician Jer Reid and dancer Monica Deioanni. A development/continuation of the beautiful and epic project of separate duets over a one month period last winter by Jer Reid called Wintercyle http://wintercycle.wordpress.com/. Look it up. 

Our performance at the Sound Thought festival, The Arches, Glasgow, is Saturday 3rd March, 6pm.  See, hear, sense you there. :)

First Wintercycle drawing (Computer/Wacom Tablet combo with improvised monologue) from Audio/Visual Duet with Jer Reid - 'Christmas/Family/A Sense of Place'

Second Wintercycle drawing (Watercolour and Pencil, with accompanying improvised monologue) from Audio/Visual Duet with Jer Reid - 'Method/Experience'

Finally (for now) - I will be part of a charity event for Women's International Day on Thursday 8th of March, I will be having an exhibition and auction, at least one workshop in collaboration with Therapeutic Theatre and most probably some live drawing at the Women's International Day at the Old Hairdressers, Renfield Lane, Glasgow. This will be a culmination of a year of quite incredible, inspiring and beautiful events called Loop, and Loop De Loop, created by and (at least two) in partnership with Garterstitch.  50% of the money from drawings auctioned off will go towards the five wonderful women's charities that Garterstitch have been contributing towards since the first event last year. You really should read about what they managed, but just to give you a little idea of the massiveness of it, they collected nearly 20 million stitches of knitting from around the world. And put on a one day event, in one location, covered in aforementioned knitting, with 100 live events. Go now - 'read all about it!'.

Women's International Day 2012, 8th March, The Old Hairdressers, Renfield Lane, Glasgow.  Check out the Garterstitch website for details and updates.

New Year? Already? Of course it is :)

Välkommen. Nice to see you. Come in and warm your tootsies. There's snow here in Stockholm at the moment, which makes it look very pretty where I am at the moment. We've got a lilly that's got four white flowering heads on it, as well as it being allowed to still have the Christmas star lantern up so there's a lot of white and light. Today I drew the lillies lit by candlelight while it snowed outside. Felt quite magical. The candle has been burning all day in here, which has been lovely and heart warming. I've never let it do that normally, but today, a 'monday in January' it felt really great to do, so... I quite like the drawing too.

Saturday was Swedish Radio/Stockholm's Art's Birthday Party, a fantastic and hugely inspiring digital music and sound art festival. There were so many acts to witness, and I only scratched the surface. I will be keeping my wish list and following the other artists up whenever they're in a country that I too am in. :) You can see the drawings, and possibly some animated/timelapses of them too on my Facebook page - Jenny Soep/Drawing The Experience

I'll be drawing at RM Hubbert's Album Launch on Friday the 27th of January next week at Stereo, Glasgow. It's going to be a really lovely and exciting night with a whole plethora of the great and good musicians in/from Scotland.  It's going to be the only time you'll ever see his album played live.  I would thoroughly recommend you buy a ticket if you have not already. The mere fact that the fantastic Tattie Toes are supporting should be reason enough.

I shall also be part of a three person installation/trio on the 3rd of March (6pm) at the Arches, Glasgow as part of the Sound Thought Festival.  It's a continuation of the audio/visual improvised duet I created with the experimental musician Jer Reid, as well as an improvised music/dance duet he created with Monicca Deioanni as part of his Wintercycle project last year. Which was magical incidentally. A month worth of duets with lots of different and exciting musicians, dancers etc. So if you fancy seeing some live projected drawing, dancing and music making - all improvised and in response to each other - then come on down. I think it's going to be a lot of fun.

Merry Christmas!

Click on this to see a cheery Merry Christmas iPad Animation :D

So I made my first little iPad animated timelapse drawing to wish you all a Merry Christmas and God Jul! I hope you all have a lovely one, and indeed a great New Year and Festive Holiday. May you all be well, warm and in the best of company.

The quite simply brilliant Nisennenmondai