Neurographics. By pulling the word into two, we can see how it is the relationship between our internal system and the use of shapes and words. While I found studying biology dull at school, the introduction to mindfulness activities such as meditation and expressive paintings have encouraged me to revisit elements of this subject. In this case, I brought myself to absorb the definition of a neuron and thereby appreciate the responsibilities held by these cells to receive information from the external environment and to protect ourselves. Following this reminder, I became intrigued by its relationship with art.
I was introduced to neurographic art through a university online workshop. Where I saw this as an opportunity to create change in my daily routine, I did not expect to learn a simple yet effective technique to understanding myself better. Having read this, I imagine you are a little confused and perhaps excited about the steps involved in building neurographic art.
To start, I allowed myself to find a quiet place within my home. The whereabouts were not new to me as I preferred this environment when working on any artwork. With my legs crossed in the chair and pens and pencils encircling my blank sheet of paper, I considered an aspect that I find challenging.
To be present.
As guided, I wrote these words on the back of the clean sheet and noticed the wariness embedded in my action. I remained hopeful that the activity I was entering was about to change this. I put my phone down and granted myself to be immersed within the process.
In no longer than 15 seconds, I moved my pen across the sheet and allowed my hand to move freely. What was once an empty sheet, transitioned to a surface with intertwining spirals and began to remind me of missing strands of hair. The next step was to carve out the sharp edges. The lines then started to broaden and accumulate into distinct dark areas.
The following step was to ensure that no lines stopped in the middle of the page and made their way entirely to the edges of the sheet. With the sharp edges concealed and the lines appearing endless I was beginning to feel content.
The next step was to add colour! Similar to a child at nursery, I became thrilled and curious by the addition of colour to the bare page.
As the session neared an end, my laptop screen began to populate with contrasting designs and voices of individuals surprised at their outcome. I looked down at mine and thought "wow, I'm slow". Interestingly, the feeling of serenity from the exercise stopped me from feeling any less.
Last week, I revisited neurographic art as a method of checking in with my current challenges. Again, I found myself believing that I work too slowly. I was aware that the thought rooted from the time spent on tasks including work at my current placement, drawing and writing such blog posts.
In a world engrossed by speed, I became convinced that my slowness was an indication of slacking and stupidity. Unknowingly I had become one of those to accept the cultural taboo attached to slowness.
Eventually, I recognised that I would not want to hurry these activities unnecessarily and felt desperate to stop myself from endorsing the link between slow and laziness. To embrace slow movement, I replaced the thick Sharpie for a 3mm fine liner and went ahead with colouring pencils.
Throughout the exercise, I aimed to build a gradual transition of colours across the page and include a range of tones to create a sense of depth. The white vacant areas are a product of a lack of time but impressively, these spaces allow the colours to appear brighter and spirited. Therefore, in some way, there is beauty in this unfinished piece.
The piece above is one I completed that same week. By now, the steps appeared simple, and my attentive behaviour had worn away. The difference was governed by my challenge: patience. In my search for patience, I understood that watercolours would be the most suitable medium for me. Since my restive behaviour had prevented me from experimenting with watercolours again and again.
To consolidate the steps involved in neurographic art, I have produced the image above! I hope you feel encouraged to give this exercise a go and can see your current challenges differently.
On a different note, I am giving myself a break from blogging and will be back on 1st July!
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