A fascinating piece of history.

I recently saw a link to some local news that stopped me in my tracks.

A man in York has found a frieze behind panelling around his kitchen walls that was drawn directly onto the plaster in the 17th Century. It’s a fascinating piece of history and a thing of real beauty.

It has everything I love about a plaster surface….the softness, the imperfection, the depth, the decay, the hints at things that may have once been clear. Is that shape another figure, or is it just an illusion suggested by the marks? I could look at it for hours.

It really reminded me of the qualities of the drawings that I did for my degree show.

(detail from “Tell Me”, chalk pastel and print on plaster, 1988)

(detail from “Upheaval”, chalk pastel and print on plaster, 1989)

Having found myself drawing again, after at least ten years without the urge, it really feels exciting to be going back to it. It’s a totally different form of creative expression that brings out a more personal and emotional side.

Just as my drawings emerge from the plaster surface, I love that this frieze emerged from behind the wall. You can find the news piece here, if you’re interested to learn more.