Stop the War

Photos, film and video of the War in Ukraine show huge plumes of black smoke rising over burning and ruined buildings, theatres and peoples homes. Meanwhile Putin continues to lie to the Russian people that no civilians are being targeted. He is using the same tactics he facilitated in Syria with President Assad. He is trying to encircle Kyiv and raise cities like Mariupol to the ground. He is evil and brutal. His propaganda to his country is that it is a ‘ special project’ not all out bloody murder.

Contours

Set yourself a rule. Draw dots, draw round them, turn the paper over and draw round where the ink has bled through the paper. Turn the paper back and add more, back and forth. Decide whether you just want to add lines, or if as I have, change directions. Once you have drawn the lines fill in some of the lines with a different colour. Keep building up layers if you want. Playing with different ideas but using rules can create interesting patterns.

Convoluted

Another pattern drawing, limited-ish pallette, green, blue, orange silver and black, different shades. It’s hard to know what to do and when to stop. I used to decorate our Christmas tree and I had an idea of where to place things and where to end. I think I use that little skill in art. I don’t think I overwork things to much. But I do like a strong pattern.

Send a drawing

Sent today to the Russian Embassy from an idea on Instagram by @johnapedder

It’s worth a try. Using the postal system instead of digital media means there will be a physical object to show my objection to the war. Its a peaceful drawing. On the reverse I’ve written ‘from a concerned UK citizen, peace and love’.

I’m deliberately not using offensive language. I do not wish to be aggressive, I just remember that old film about Santa, where all the children send a letter through the US postal service, which proves Santa exists. Perhaps this might have a small effect.

Patterns again

My brain likes pattern and complexity. I cannot abide plain white walls with no embellishments. Even my writing can be flowery? Is it because I’m interested in all sorts of things? I’m very visual, and yet I can walk past a friend without noticing them! I don’t have that face blindness thing that some people have. I think my glasses frames sometimes blocks the view.

Life is so difficult in the world at the moment. I am feeling a bit low with everything happening. But I pick up a felt pen and draw and time FLIES so fast.

Connection

We saw an airbase within 15 miles of the Polish border hit by cruise missiles today. Eighty one people were killed. Putin Russian madness continues.

Today’s #bandofsketchers prompt was connection so I drew our connection with family. I’ve created an imagined bracelet. The family at the bottom is connected too. Like a paper chain. I’ve used Ukraine flag colours. It’s meant to show a connection of countries supporting them.