Meditative Ink Art
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Encouraged to pursue art by a supportive family and teachers who recognised my natural talent, I would often be found, pencil in hand spending hours drawing comic book characters or natural scenery,” says artist Harry Frost. He has been passionate about creating art through the mediums of painting and drawing since early childhood. Later on in his education, it became clear to Harry “that art was a way of communicating a perspective on the world” inherent in him. Harry progressed through senior school education choosing to take art and design as one of his primary subjects. He went on to study Fine Art: Painting at the University of Edinburgh in the UK. During and following his degree course, Harry says he was fortunate enough to exhibit his work in galleries and art shows. “These opportunities allowed me to engage with the public and experience creative dialogue about my artistic practice. This reinforced and validated my chosen profession.” Harry is also a “keen learner outside of a formal art education” and explores artist books, galleries, and online resources to improve his knowledge, techniques, and skills. Although his degree is in painting, Harry says the tactile nature of drawing has always in-
trigued him. “From pencils to pastels, paints to pens, being able to engage with the practice of mark-making and the immediate connection from the mind to the hand is something that shapes my creative process,” he says. In his current work, Harry uses fountain pens and ink to create art, but these tools also serve another purpose. “The flow of the ink from the nib of the pen is a meditative process that allows me to fully engage with the story I wish to tell with each particular drawing,” he explains. Harry is also an avid sketchbook keeper and says he uses sketchbooks as a way to observe and connect with the world around him, resulting in a collection of drawings that speak to a moment in time. “Aside from my present drawing practice, I am very interested in the materiality of both oil paint and chalk pastels and how their inherent qualities enhance my ability to create depth and life through colour harmonies,” he adds. Harry refers to himself as a “visual magpie.” He explores, discovers and engages with the nuances, intricacies, and little details of life and nature that often go unnoticed or missed. “Leaves blowing in the wind, clouds gathering in an open sky, or an empty barn among fields and fence posts are all translated through the process of drawing,” he says.
ArtDiction | 22 | March/April 2023