NEW ARTWORK + RECENT PATIENT SESSIONS

I've been working with some fantastic new recruits to the Storytelling Project this month and I couldn't be happier with the ways in which each participant has enthusiastically taken to each creative exercise. At this stage of the project, we are continuing with previous warm up (drawing with eyes closed) and painting (abstract emotions) exercises, but the approach to the final painting task is now tailored to fit the narrative of each individual participant - I really appreciate how open patients have so far been in sharing their personal stories with me. Without giving too much away (!), the 'final' artworks we produce will be a collaborative effort between myself, the illustrator and the patients as artists and narrators, in which we will combine quotes and experimental storytelling to create multi-layered narrative pieces. Below are photos of recent sessions with patients and some of the fantastic abstract artwork that resulted:

ABSTRACT PAINTING (VISUAL COMMUNICATION)

Below are some more recent examples of the second exercise I've set for patients involved in the project (see WEEKS 2 - 3 for rules and further examples). I understand that writing and committing to a narrative in the traditional sense can be quite daunting at first, so this exercise aims to demonstrate the ways in which stories can be told in a more abstract way. 

As with all exercises that make up the Storytelling project, there is no right/wrong to carry out this task, so it's been really great to see the different ways in which patients approach it. 

I'm hoping that patients will use their experiences of participating in this task to inform the creative decisions they make when we come to producing final artworks - use of colour can be a great way to communicate emotion when words seem tricky. 

DRAWING WITH EYES CLOSED

Above are further examples of the results of a drawing exercise I've been doing with new recruits to the Storytelling Project (see WEEKS 1 - 2 for rules of the task and more examples). The point of this silly, fun exercise is to both demonstrate to and encourage patients, particularly those who are not confident at drawing, in their ability to create characters and capture the essence of an animal/object/person even with their eyes closed.  

The results of this task are always hilarious, but ultimately often prove that when the fear that comes with focusing in on minute detail is taken away, everyone has it within them to produce fantastic, honest, bold and recognisable art, akin to primitive cave paintings. Although this task is not about producing 'accurate' illustrations, many patients are impressed by the level of accuracy with which they are able to depict familiar things whilst drawing with eyes closed.

In relation to the narrative element of the project, this task was designed as a warm up but also to allow patients who were not confident in drawing the opportunity to experiment with drawing for fun and to show the ways in which they might like to incorporate their own character design at a later stage in the project. 

WEEKS 4 - 5

It was great to chat to some new recruits to the CF Storytelling illustration project today during our first session since the Christmas break. See below for some of the work produced during this period, which includes some hilarious 'eyes closed' portraits of me! I'm looking forward to continuing on with all of the patients involved so far and will be focusing on helping to rough out individual narratives with those who have completed some of the early stage exercised described in weeks 1-3.

Drawing with eyes closed exercises.

Abstract painting exercises.

Weeks 2 - 3

Exercise 2 - Abstract Paintings

I put this painting exercise together as a way of further engaging and encouraging patients with less confidence in their own creative abilities. First, I wrote down a series of familiar emotions/feelings on separate slips of folded paper before placing the words into a

cup. Next, I drew 3 shapes; a circle, a square and a triangle, onto individual slips of paper and put these into a separate
cup. Finally, I prepared limited colour palettes of red yellow, blue and black and white and a selection of multicoloured paper, before presenting this set of materials to individual patients.

The rules of this exercise are as follows:

1. Pick a single word from the first cup.

2. Pick a single shape from the second cup.

3. Consider the emotive word selected (e.g. 'Anger') - how might this be represented visually using only the shape (e.g. triangle) selected? 

4. Considering these factors, choose a sheet of paper (colour of patient's choice) and no more than  1 or 2 colours (also of patient's choice) from the palette provided.

This project was an experiment but I'm really pleased with how it turned out. The patients produced some beautiful quick abstract paintings (which may be of use later on in the storytelling project) and seemed to thoroughly enjoy the task:

Weeks 1 - 2

The first few weeks of the project have really just been about discussion and fun creative activity. The enthusiastic response of patients taking part so far has been amazing and I've really enjoyed listening to their individual stories, which range in theme from heartfelt and emotional to completely eccentric...! (Note: The storytelling element of this project is very broad and completely open to interpretation - stories don't necessarily have to be personal or about CF). Any story shared is brilliant and important and I really appreciate the input from patients who have shared them with me :)

This past few weeks also saw us try some initial creative exercises which aim to remove preconceptions about what is 'valid' or 'proper' art, particularly with patients who weren't particularly confident in their creative ability. As I've mentioned previously, I believe that anybody can make art and have fun with it. The first lot of exercises we did had every participating patient in hysterics, which is also a bonus....

Exercise 1 - Drawing with eyes closed:

This exercise simply involves a pen, paper, memory and imagination! Myself and the patients took a pen and pad of paper each. The rules are to draw a familiar animal/object in under 30 seconds with eyes completely closed (no peeking). Below are some of the results, which I personally think are fantastic. Can you tell what they are?

 Selection of quick, eyes closed drawing exercises produced by myself and the patients.

We followed this exercise with another silly drawing task - the patients and I drew 30 second portraits of each other without looking at the paper, focusing solely on the subject, with often hilarious results....

 Patients' quick, no looking at the page, portraits of me, which I must admit were often surprisingly accurate!

 

 Selection of my quick, no looking at the page, portraits of patients....

Aside from being silly fun, this exercise works as a great warm up and the 'eyes closed' element removes all notions of 'proper' creative competence. Though I am a trained artist I think this

 an be detrimental in this task and often think the patient's work turns out better than my own!

I'm really looking forward to doing more of these exercises and seeing what new recruits to the project come up with.

Hello!

Hello! And welcome to the CF Illustration Project Blog. 

Taking place on the Cystic Fibrosis ward at the University Hospital South Manchester, this narrative-themed project aims to encourage and support patients to share and visualise their individual stories via discussion and fun creative activities. 

My name is Kim Thompson and I'm a Freelance Illustrator based in the North West. Lead by Lime Arts and Health, I am honored to have been selected to take part in the CF Illustration project and will be providing creative support and guidance for all patients interested in taking part in the project.

For any patients interested but not yet involved, it's not too late! I'll be on the ward every Wednesday and Thursday between 1pm and 5pm until May 2015 and I'm always happy to come and have a chat about what you might like to contribute. Please rest assured that this project is not just for those with natural creative ability but for everybody - I truly believe that anybody can produce great art and I have lots of tips and tricks I can share with you to prove it! 

I'll be using this blog to document our activities in relation to the project, feel free to contact me with any questions about getting involved/ the project in general at:

kimthompson@hotmail.co.uk

Thanks and best wishes,

Kim Thompson