Two quick drawings from my art school days recently came back home to me, one of my then future mother-in-law and one of my then future husband. She loved these so I had given them to her. They were framed along with another one I’d done of a future sister-in-law. They were hung in every home she lived in since.

Being behind glass, I had difficulty capturing good photos of these drawings. Finally I tried my scanner by taking the lid off in order to fit the frame over the edges. They are still not accurate copies but suffice as an example of my very early sketch work and shall be my record in case one of our daughters wishes to have these. As I’ve mentioned before, my late mother-in-law’s home has been sold and contents are being dispersed amongst family as much as possible. “Omi” was a wonderful supporter of my work, even purchasing several of my prints which have also come back.

As I go through numerous life drawings from decades ago, the least favourite are being ripped up and put into the paper recycling bin. Today, I decided to rip these into even smaller pieces and feed them to the compost as carbon material to balance the current overload of nitrogen from lawn clippings. A few little pieces attracted me and I thought I’d scan them.

The first ones are reminding me too much of kitchen towels drying on the clothesline, maybe because I do have stuff on the line at present! The second set makes me think of ancient Greek or Roman fresco pieces, which is so much more artistic. What fun!

For today, two more extended figure studies from that roll from 1982-83. I think my quicker ones feel livelier and fresher, though of course these figures are not in a lively position. More time sometimes leads to overworked and/or stiff drawings for me. Interesting to look at these with different and more critical eyes.

Speaking of which, I found a watercolour I had done at the age of 17, in grade 11 art class with Miss Hunt. A label on the back indicated it was sent to The Royal Drawing Society’s Exhibition-Competition in England. A sticker on the left front corner says ‘highly commended’. I think it is awful work!