The last day and here is my Oak tree sketch. It is an amazing tree that stands at the end of Conyers road round the corner form my house. If this week has had a lesson for me it is that drawing is definitely a part of me and my practise, but like playing the guitar, you get more out, if you put in some practise time. Also running and drawing are not comfortable bed fellows, but the sketches that have resulted have some energy and dynamism. Drawing and running, art and sport, inertia and movement 25/5/12

It was Streathams turn today for Jography. I chose the suburban Gothic Victorian water pumping station at the end of my road. it was very peaceful with birds singing and the occasional train trundling past on it's way to Streatham Common station. Giving only a short time to look at a building and it's context is rewarding. The pumping station now forms part of the London water main and is used as much as it was when first built.

The action of drawing whilst running is becoming more habitual, but no easier.

Today I decided to go back to the South Bank and run the bridges and make drawings in the same place. This was a lot more fun and I can compare the results from Monday. Here is Monday and Wednesday going North over the river.

 

Although I did use different pens there are a lot of similarities. I think I will repeat this process in Southwark park tomorrow.

Drawing and running today around Southwark Park and along the river was very different. Yesterday along the South Bank, which was busy, and making the video record made the day feel collaborative and gave me a buzz . It was a much more singular contemplative journey,  I felt a pull between the act of running and drawing. I wanted to stop and make a longer sketch, but also to run and explore bits of Rotherhithe that I didn't know. The sun came out so that made a difference to my mood and I ended up making a two hour walk along the river, before coming back to upload the sketches and writing this blog.
I am not yet decided where to do Jography tomorrow, maybe a more central location or near the Olympic site.

Finally the day has arrived and I have been running on the South Bank whilst drawing and making this video with Steve Gorton. People reacted with some amusement and interest. the sketches came out OK considering I was running. I won't wait so long from the idea till the execution again. This sketch is of the Hungerford pedestrian bridge, made in 30 seconds whilst running.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxTNcx1bGkQ

Can I make a star shape?

My 45 minute 'jog' today was not as hard as I had imagined it would be. After a very good rest on Saturday, actually just reading a book all day, in bed (My back had gone into a painful mess on Friday so I decided not to run the next day)  I then managed 110 minutes Fartlek on Sunday trying not to go over the same route twice, which nearly worked.

So today's shape came out like this. And it occurs to me that I could make a star shape from it, with a little detour here and there.

Spring, Bognor and the joys of running

We just got back from a short break in Bognor. Why Bognor? well we had tried Arundel, Winchester and Chichester so why not. It is a quiet seaside place, relaxed in early spring sunshine and we ate well. There was time to stroll on the beach and even sit in the sun and watch the waves. £2.50 to see a film at the great local cinema. Which had as much character as the film 'Woman in Black' adding its own bangs and creaks during the film.

In a new place running is part exploration and the sea and a shale beach mean that only certain routes are possible. Little parks and obvious out and back routes really help but make for boring running routes when viewed afterwards. Today back in London a lovely chance to do a hilly fartlek course on Streatham Common. Managed 299 feet of climbing, which isn't easy in South London.