Artroom always begins with a conversation. When artists are working in wards, they ask if people would like to come and try some art. The most common answers were “I can’t draw” and “I wasn’t good at art at school”. Neither of those things are required to try your hand at doing some art. We believe that everyone is an artist and all we need to do is help people find their own ‘thing’.
Artroom tables are set up with a range of materials and usually art books and objects for inspiration. When participants begin to make marks and allow themselves to create freely, they discover they can do art. This recent case study from our Roxburghe House project speaks for itself and is a great example of an Artroom journey unfolding.
In the first week, the conversation initially is centred around his interest in writing and in particular poetry, but after some time it comes around to his love of art, knowledge of art and artists, what art he has bought, the art he has on his walls and lived with…BUT, “I’m not any good!”…BUT..after a little more reflection, he has a good friend who has done some art since retirement and has been trying to encourage him to try as well.
So, he then admits “I have never really tried.”
Over the course of the 12-week Day Unit programme at Roxburghe, Dave begins to explore watercolour, pen and ink and calligraphy brushes. They join the open Artroom on a Thursday afternoon and continues to gain confidence.
Dave is now first to the art table on our Thursday sessions and the artists report that it has been such a treat to see him so immersed in his art.
In Dave’s own words
“I am one of those individuals and I also come from the “can’t draw, won’t draw “ school of thought, or I did! It turns out that virtually everyone has some hidden ability and I have discovered that I can draw and paint, to a degree. “I am a late convert, and it can only get better.”
