In July we gathered near the Saltwater Cafe in Chalkwell, positioning ourselves on the Sea Wall. We had been invited to a mark-making workshop that celebrates expressive drawing, creative play, and the joy of experimentation. Our leader, Ella Johnston, explained that the aim was to explore “mark making” using foraged markers alongside coventional brushes and a mixture of inks, paints and water on paper. to produce an abstract painting. Oh yes, and inspired by the vast seascape that lay before us mmm! I surveyed the pale grey sky lowering over a darker grey sea and the sandy grey beach and I thought, “How can I be inspired by that?” It might have been a little bit inspirational if the tide had been out, revealing the network of channels working their way acros the mud. Or was I being too literal in my understanding of what she meant? Too buttoned-up`?
I decided to relax and focus on the “making marks” and “abstract” part. Ella had showed us how to turn a small rectangle of tin plus a skewer into a marker that made me think of a gigantic italic nib. But I preferred to try the very broad paint brush, then to pick up a sponge. Dipping a marker in the diluted black ink then dragging it across the paper made a similar effect to a water-colour wash. What next? I squeeezed some water colour from a tube onto the thick brush then swirled it on my paper. As I played around with different markers, I was aware of a gentle hum of conversation around me. The hot weather had brought people down to the beach, Curious passers-by often stopped to enquire what we were doing. The proximity of sand and sea overcame peope’s natural reserve and they were happy to chat. I paused to watch J working. She was dribbling tea onto her paper from the dregs in her mug before making marks with black ink. Surreal! and defintely absract.
My effforfs were interupted by the vibrations of my phone. Who? What? It was my neighbour, V, who had locked himself out. I felt a twinge of sympathy for him as I explained where I was and when I’d be back to give him the spare keys I kept for him. Back to my mark-making.
The session was creative and satisfying. Now, what am I going to do with my pictures?

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