Bouncing with Tom Kitching & Pilgrims Way

Last Sunday we all took a step down the Pilgrim's Way with Lucy Wright, Tom Kitching and Edwin Beasant. Along the road were fine performances and bouyant songs. It was an interesting night for drawing with a range of new and old instruments, the newest for me being the Jews Harp. I'm not a convert yet and was more taken by the traditional fiddle of Tom Kitching (image left) and the dancing of all 3 members of Pilgrim's Way.

This was the first footwork I've seen since starting the Art residency at Twickfolk, and yes Tom does rank as Number 1 in the Biggest Bounciest Fiddle Player ever seen.
http://www.pilgrims-way.net/theband.html

The Singer's Night jury - Alan Franks & Garry Smith

This was my first 'Singer's Night' at Twickfolk and it was not what I had expected. I thought I'd be in for an easy ride but I had to knuckle down and try to draw all the 16 musicians that we're performing. Unfortunately I fell short (sorry to Kate Moorhouse, Chris and Johnny Black) because I had just two songs to capture the essence of their performance, features and style.

Garry Smith (top left) is fast becoming one of my favourites to draw and listen to at Twickfolk. It is not just his demeanour that speaks of strength and power but his songwriting too. He was constantly in demand to help create bodycolour for other performers' vignettes, but it was his tune 'Edge of my world' that fueled the intensity in my drawing.

Alan Franks (below) made a strong impression upon myself and I think the others attending last night. His second tune of the evening, The Ballad of Daisy Waters, released a flood of appreciation. It must be a tremendous boon to be the recipient of other songwriters praise, for only they must know the hard work and elusive spirit that must be harnessed to write such a captivating narrative. 
Alan explained, 
'It's a new one and it's only the second time I've played it in public.
 I tried it once - in Lowestoft - but I was doing it in the wrong key - wrong for the guitar arrangement as well as for the singing - and it didn't really work so I put
it to one side.'

://alanfranks.com/Alan_s_music.html

The warmth of Liz Simcock

Last night Liz Simcock gave us all a warm welcome on a miserable night in TW1. She was a pleasure to draw with her beautiful long neck and charming conversational style. The audience sang along with vigor during at least a third of her tunes including a reluctant Tim, the 'Face in the crowd' who I drew this week.

Although we missed Gerry, Sue Graves MC'ed and played a spritely support with Steve Poole.

Throughout my residency I'm trying to draw all the volunteers and this week I put 'Sound Paul' into my sketching pad.

Check out the slideshow right to see what I've done so far.

Alban

'I met Eric Brace'

Its a steep learning curve for me, since I've come from the depths of the jazz world but the art residency has got off to a great start at Twickfolk. Sometimes I'm at a loss about the background of the musicians I draw but I've been luckily enough meet some cool people who have helped me along the way. One such person was Ana Veraart, who kindly agreed to write something about Eric Brace for the me and blog....

I met Eric Brace in 1983. We worked together in a posh restaurant. I was making my way through college; Eric was supporting his passion, music. I was lucky enough to be present for the birth of Numbers Up, his first band of considerable note.

Eric has an easy manner in front of a crowd or wirh an audience of one. I suspect this confidence comes from a lack of pretense and a real sense of joy he feels in doing what he loves.

His clear, warm voice draws you in and his music brings you back for more. At the risk of sounding cliche, Eric is music. His love and respect for the art is in the very fabric of his being.

He gets giddy meeting his musical heroes and elated and honored when met with the opportunity to play with them. I remember attending a Marshall Crenshaw concert with Eric. Even though, Crenshaw was at a high point in his career, the college auditorium was fairly empty. Eric indulged me and we sat near the back, but Eric could not contain himself. Before the first break, he was at the edge of the stage letting the music wash over him. Or, at least I thought that was what he was doing. At the break, he introduced himself to Marshall and a few band members. He asked them intelligent, thoughtful questions about their music. It was not just admiration or entertainment as I had thought. The band recognized a kindred spirit and took a longer break to share and talk with him.

That was Eric then and, although I have not seen Eric in sometime, I suspect that is still Eric today --always room for more friends, more joy, and more music.

Congratulations, old friend on a well-deserved Grammy nomination this year.
Cheers, Ana Veraart

A big thank you to Ana, a print/poster of the Eric is on its way to her.
Alban

Animated Willy Porter at Twickfolk

I hope it's represented in my drawing how much I enjoyed this week's performance by Willy Porter, and just how lively he was. He was bouyant and inventive with his lyrics, delivery and guitar. Often askewing the microphone to respond more directly with the audience.

As an artist he was good to draw with fine long fingers and a face, like a cartoon thermometer, that turned a scarlet red when his voice was in full force.

As ever all the paintings are in the file/slideshow to the right.

Alban

Jack Harris at Twickfolk

We kicked off the art residency last night at Twickfolk with Jack Harris and Willy Porter.
Jack is an exciting writer and performer. I particularly enjoyed his narratives and songs 'Rider', 'Big umbrella' and 'Drowned house', but it was 'The first time I thought about it' that stood out.
Here's a link to the tune on You tube

His website is - http://www.jackharrismusic.com/index.html

I'll update the site in the next few days with a few words about the lively Willy Porter and the colour portraits.

Alban

Twickfolk Art Residency launched

This Sunday, 2nd September 2012, we're starting our collaboration between Art and Folk. The long established (1983) folk venue Twickfolk have been brave enough to open their doors to me and my sketchbook. Over the next 4 months I'll be drawing the performers, volunteers and audience at the club, which is based at The Cabbage Patch in Twickenham.
We'll be exhibiting many of these paintings and sketches in an exhibition in early 2013, a great way to celebrate Twickfolk's 30 year anniversary.

Before the summer break I did 3 weeks 'warm-up' and you can see the results on the slideshow to the right. I was really pleased with this painting of Eric Brace who was performing alongside Peter Cooper. This has already been sent to the printers, where it will turned into a 30x44 poster ready for exhibition.

Most Sundays I'll be sketching away at Twickfolk, so come and say hello, or visit this blog the following week to see what I've drawn.

All thanks to Gerry at Twickfolk who's brave enough to let me loose with my pens and pencils.

Alban