Drawing by Sarah Anderson 2013 made as we walked through Epsom common high and low meadow

 Sarah Anderson 2013

We walked through Epsom common's high and low meadow on to Woodcock corner, along the edge of Newton Wood to Ashtead common and within the Triangular earthwork, where I always think time stands still, or at least doesn't sprint past, we drew. Sarah Anderson made this drawing of one of the ancient oaks. There was a fire in this area in the 80s and all the trees are charred.

There is a timelessness to Sarah's drawing, made with pencil and some water, quite beautiful.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TIME

The more I visit Epsom & Ashtead commons the more I realise that it is time that is of importance to me and hence to this residency. The privilege of simply walking a familiar route, and is nearly always the same route that I walk, taking my own sweet time and seeing the changes in the plants, the animals and the trees, it is enough for me. I feel a pressure to make something, a photograph or a drawing, but it is enough surely just to be in a space.

To prove that I do make something here is a photo of a Meadow brown butterfly on a thistle.

DEAD TREE

katrina Naomi, Oil Pastels on paper

Katrina Naomi, a poet, responded to one of the dead trees within the triangular pre-historic earthwork on Ashtead Common with this startling piece, which is an oppositional affirmation of life, with it's vibrant colours and inherent energy.

DRAWING

Christine Nicholls, Epsom Tree, pencil on paper

Sunday was a great day for conversation, walking and drawing, and it seems that we had some very skilled artists along, Chrissie made this elegant piece of work in less than 15 minutes, quite something.

SECOND ARTWALK

Yesterday we had almost the perfect weather for the second Artwalk of 2013, the showers typically only came when we sat down to eat or draw, the rest of the time sun and some light winds accompanied our progress. The sun has bleached the coulour out of the grasses revealing spiders webs full of seeds and grass hoppers clinging to stems.

Some very impressive drawings were made before the rain, and I hope the artists involved may upload their work over the next few weeks. For me the conversations we had were the highlight of the day.

Walking, conversation and art, a perfect day.

Thanks to Arts News - spreading the word about Art Walks 28.07.13

Not only have Arts Council England been a fundamental partner in funding the development of my residency on Epsom & Ashtead Common this summer.

Arts News has been spreading the word about Art Walks via their website promoting all the latest Arts Jobs & Arts News across the UK http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/

Follow this link to see their latest post about Art Walks

http://www.artsjobs.org.uk/index.php?id=25&ne_post_id=107532

Follow Arts News on Twitter @arts_news

PREPARATIONS FOR THE 28TH

Today I rediscovered a familiar shelter off the summer horse ride, it looks as if it had been recently added to. With the good weather more people are on the common and the kids often add branches to these unofficial shelters that occur all over the wooded areas.

preparations for the second Artwalk are all in place and I hope to see you on Sunday at 11am, weather should be better than the first walk, so bring some water and food and a hat.

BUTTERFLIES AND SUN

It wasn't long into my walk onto the common last Friday when I spotted this small tortoiseshell butterfly. The sun seems to bring out more butterflies on the lower meadow and this hot snap has proved to be particularly productive. I have been preparing for my trip to the Czech Republic in August, and this trip down to Epsom has helped me to get away from the computer and just walk all day.

Brown Ringlet butterflies seem to occur all over the commons too, but prefer the long grass to settle on and open their wings.

The Weather

With the strangest of cold snaps still making being outside quite uncomfortable I have still not ventured down to the Commons. I am hoping that the next few weeks will allow for a visit, meanwhile the crows, emboldened by the cold are visiting the roof below my kitchen window.

Oh yes and here's hoping the Arts Council say yes because I don't think I have the patients to do another application.

It seems as if my arts council application for funding wasn't successful due to the volume of applications, so I have asked for feedback and resubmitted today, so fingers crossed once more. I have been throwing ideas of a map of the boundaries on the commons and have come up with this.

I am going to try an all drawing solution as well

Funding and the future

2012

The last art walk is now done and I am very pleased to say that even on a wet Monday in October I did get one participant. In total 7 people attended throughout the summer, and their feedback will help me to develop the residency and art walks further. There will be more emphasis on the walking aspect of the residency, as I favor the movement of art out of the gallery and into the everyday places. Walking puts us into a discreet space both mentally and temporally, which allows time to create and just enjoy being in the moment.

THE FUTURE

Sundays in the Summer would be a better bet and to that end I am already planning the walks for next year. With financial support from Colin Taylor via the Community Partnerships East, part of Surrey County Council, and help from Epsom & Ewell, Surrey Arts, The Epsom Common Association, these walks and future ones will be possible.

Now I am applying for Arts Council Funding for 2013, so fingers crossed.