Embracing the simplicity of ink

I love the simplicity of ink drawing, just beautiful textured handmade paper and black ink.

Because of my gradual visual decline, I increasingly feel the need to make things simple. Pure black ink marks on white paper. Even through the silver spots are expanding and even through the colour blindness test score decreases every year, I can still create. Because when it comes down to it, creating is what my body, mind and soul has to do. My hand makes direct and firm contact with the paper with dark and instinctive marks, the black vividly clear against the stark white, even through silver spots. I stay firmly positive that I can carry on creating. That in itself is a miracle every day.

I read a blog post recent written by artist Sarah Gillespie who had given up colour and oil painting to concentrate on making beautiful monochrome charcoal drawings (see www.sarahgillespie.co.uk). Sarah writes eloquently about how the process of creating had become almost depressing and inhibiting for her as she continually battled through endless colour and equipment choices every time she went into the studio. I can totally relate to this. Working without tone, without colour and with the barest minimum of materials is, strangely, extremely liberating. Focus can be placed on what is essential, and the process becomes deeper, more meditative when it is stripped bare.

Maybe I would have arrived at this point even if I didn't have macular degeneration. I will never know. But that's how I'm rolling now.

It's just me, an ink pen and the paper. Pure simplicity.