It feels as if the hinge between seasons is finally opening and Spring is squeezing through. On Wednesday I went to Sadler’s Wells to draw The Forsythe Company. At the end of the performance the beautiful stranger sitting next to me asked to see my sketch book, said something immensely flattering, gave me a daffodil and vanished!
View from Second Floor Studios where I have my studio. Thursday evening, 5.45.
On Wednesday I was in the dance studios at Lewisham College, south London, to draw during a Dance BTEC Diploma class and rehearsal of Access to Dance. I was warmly welcomed by the students and their teacher, Amy Thornhill. I am looking forward to returning for more drawing soon.
BTEC Class
Access to Dance during rehearsal
Access to Dance will be performing at Trinity Laban on 22nd March.
My last opportunity to draw at Rosemary Butcher‘s amazing class. Friday’s sketch book:
‘Separation of the paths’
‘Keep the connections you found in your body’
‘Your space is entirely personal’
I drew slowly during the second hour of the class, the studio felt charged with emotion which I wanted to transfer to paper.
Thursday morning with Rosemary Butcher and the dancers at Independent Dance, Siobhan Davies Studios. First hour: pencil and sketch book.
‘Peel the body from the floor revealing new space’
‘Reaching the edges of the territory … fragile territory’
‘Space you know … space you don’t know’
In the second hour, I again drew on larger sheets using charcoal. My hand moving fast, I empathized and connected with the sensations the participants felt as they continued on each individual journey. Each drawing is of only one figure following their transitions of movement.
Monday. This week I have been invited by Rosemary Butcher to draw her inspirational dance classes at Independent Dance, Siobhan Davies Studios. A two hour master class for professional dancers. I have admired Rosemary’s work for many years, see https://blog.sallymckay.co.uk/page/5/ (October 7th 2010) for my drawings of her beautiful, moving work Lapped Translated Lines.
The movement was based on improvisational processes, the dancing was strong and intense. Although the dancers didn’t necessarily know each other and hadn’t worked together as a group before there were connections and dialogue made through each individuals rhythmic movement and patterns of movement.
During the first hour I drew in pencil in my small concertina sketch book, my drawings were influenced by the words spoken by Rosemary as the dancers moved.
‘Sense of exchange’
‘Disintegration’
‘What have you lost?’
During the second hour the movement expanded, the connections and sense of exchange between the dancers became more pronounced, the drawings also increased in size.
You are my sweetest downfall. Framed etching, measures 36 x 77 cm, edition of 20, 15 available. Also available unframed.
Lines of desire. Framed etching, measures 36 x 57 cm, edition of 20, 15 available. Also available unframed.
Both these prints will be on show from Wednesday at Billi Currie 47 Chiltern Street, London W1. They join six framed charcoal drawings, and two more etchings, see December 4th to view images. The venue is a fabulous West End boutique hairdressing salon in Marylebone.
Billi is a highly talented stylist, and has created a skilled and friendly salon. Billi is happy for people to drop by to see the work.
Ballet Black is celebrating it’s 10 year anniversary, they opened at The Linbury Studio Theatre at The Royal Opera House on 9th February performing for 4 nights. Ballet Black is a ballet company for international dancers of black and asian descent, their aim is “to see a fundamental change in the number of black and Asian dancers in mainstream ballet companies”. Founded by Cassa Pancho the company performs a beautiful fusion of classical ballet, jazz and modern dance.
Pendulum. Choreographer: Martin Lawrence
My personal favourite was Pendulum, a fabulous strong duet performed to Steve Reich’s Pendulum Music. The relationship swings between tender, intimate, gentle affection and wild, passionate combat, extraordinary angular shapes are created.
Da Gamba. Choreographer: Henri Oguike. Shift. Choreographer: Antonia Franceschi.
DaGamba and Shift were both accompanied on stage by cellist Zoe Martlew. Shift was performed to Martlew’s own score of gorgeous, fast sassy jazz.
Orpheus. Choreographer: Will Tuckett
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My first time watching/drawing The American Ballet Theatre who were performing at Sadler’s Wells last week. Two programmes, I chose the first over the second to see Twyla Tharp‘s Known By Heart. The first dance of the evening, danced by three couples to Scarlatti, was Alexei Ratmansky‘s Seven Sonatas.
I loved Twyla Tharp’s Known by Heart performed by Gillian Murphy and Blaine Hoven to Donald Knaack‘s Junk Music. 
Twyla Tharp. Known By Heart
Another entirely different duet, Duo Concertant, followed, choreographed by George Balanchine.
Duo Concertant. George Balanchine
The final work, Everything Doesn’t Happen at Once choreographed by Benjamin Millepied had a 6 piece music ensemble on stage playing music by David Lang, performed by 24 dancers.
Benjamin Millepied. Everything Doesn’t Happen at Once