Exposed old wallpaper, interior wall, bottom of the stairs, at the side entrance of my 92 year old building. (Sketch in progress)
Category: Visual Storytelling
4 hours of “freedom” on June 18, 1951
I have imagined this scene for a few years. Here the main character experiences 4 hours of “freedom” on June 18, 1951. Events leading up to this moment will be explored in the book. My creative non-fiction graphic novel leans heavily on Erving Goffman’s concept of “the total institution” and explores themes such as historical…
Disclaimer for “Joseph,” current graphic novel project
Disclaimer for “Joseph,” current graphic novel project (Chinamarker, turmeric, white acrylic ink on newsprint) My target date for completing the drawing process is June 2024. I am delighted to share that I will be publishing my completed graphic novel with Conundrum Press in 2025. Huge thank you to Patti Henderson for allowing me to use…
A mock up to “see the book”
JOSEPH is my experimental graphic novel (in process). It is a Vancouver-based family saga spanning 1924 – 1963. For more info, go to: ABOUT Transforming my 280 page research manuscript (just words) into a 200 page graphic novel (mainly visuals) is a brain exercise, to say the least. I am currently writing the script…
Using labanotation as constraints to create a 9-panel page
I created a 9-panel page for my “Joseph” project based on a rudimentary intro to labanotation and based on a famous photo from a 1946 reportage, “a man constrained in a straight jacket stands alone.” Labanotation is a system of recording human movement, originated by the Hungarian-born dance theorist Rudolf Laban. The Laban system…
Store window, Gamla Stan, Stockholm. A study
I came across a wonderful little shop in June 2019. Slow Fox Förlag Antikvariatet. Själagårdsgatan 9c, Gamla Stan, Stockholm, Sweden. And I think about the store window ALOT. A study using Chinamarker, white acrylic ink, watercolour wash added using Caitlin ffrench’s wildcrafted pigments
Decompose on forest floor study (embroidered drawing)
January 31, 2023 Our bodies are garbage heaps: we collect experience, and from the decomposition of the thrown-out eggshells, spinach leaves, coffee grinds, and old steak bones out of our minds come nitrogen, heat, and very fertile soil. Out of this fertile soil bloom our poems and stories. But this does not come all at…
“The Guardians.” A study
For Emma.
Painting in progress: Of The Forest, Värmland (self-portrait)
My niece, Vivienne, age 8, works on the piece with me. Bliss! The piece continues to evolve… With no attachment to outcome. Only to the process, which I find enormously healing. This is the forest in Värmland in which my soul most often resides… where I spent my childhood summers:
I lie face up. Journal entry.
I walk east along the seawall. I look down at the ocean water. It laps gently against the rock wall. It is a hot day. I think about how long it has been since I went swimming. In the ocean, in a lake, in a pool. I imagine myself undressing, walking down the stone steps…
Cashel, Ireland “vision board”
The main characters in my graphic novel project (a true story) were born in Cashel, Ireland. I decided to make a “vision board” to help me focus on gathering the resources to one day (soon) sit in situ drawing the Rock of Cashel. (Then head down the hill for a pint and food.) I found…
Entangled roots as metaphor for two mission statements
Gradually, the observer realizes that these organisms are connected to each other, not linearly, but in a netlike, entangled fabric. – Alexander Von Humboldt Related: “Potential” I call it “Potential” to celebrate Diane and Doug’s work and legacy of fostering the potential in others. See:
Bunny studies, Jericho Beach. April 29, 2022
They are so sweet and so lovely to study. Lovely to observe and sketch but, sadly, there are SO MANY. Please don’t touch. Don’t feed. Don’t release. From City of Vancouver Website: Wildlife feeding is prohibited at all Vancouver parks and beaches. Doing so can land you a fine of up to $500. Incidents of wildlife…
HOW MAPPING THE GENOME OF A FRUIT FLY CHANGED MY LIFE – aka how I learned to love mind mapping
HOW MAPPING THE GENOME OF A FRUIT FLY CHANGED MY LIFE aka how I learned to love mind mapping School always made me anxious. I was doubled over with stomach aches, headaches, mouth ulcers, anxiety. From kindergarten to university, I fretted about tests and grades. Even though I had been drawing and painting all my life,…
… right to be angry…
“Every little creature has a right to be angry. – Little My, Moominpappa at Sea (1965), Tove Jansson
“Stanislaw K. was born in Poland…” Ward notes.
Graphic novel experiments. Pencil crayon, watercolour, ink, coffee, embroidery on newsprint
Bound Heron. (imagined) Part 1
Currently embroidery: Process continues…
Dead Bird Study Part 2
See: Part 1 PART 2: Watercolour, pencil crayon, ink, coffee, beet juice, salt, on newsprint, embroidery. Next up in Part 3 – add writing.
Dead Bird Study Part 1
Watercolour, pencil crayon, ink, coffee, salt on newsprint. Next up: embroidery.
Decomposition study- the mouse. Part 3 of 3
See: Decomposition study Part 1 Decomposition study Part 2 Decomposition study Part 3: Natural watercolours by Caitlin Ffrench, ink, coffee, salt, embroidery thread, vintage beads and fabric.
Imagined Bird Nest Part 3 of 3 #embroidereddrawing
Check out: Imagined Bird Nest Part 1 Imagined Bird Nest Part 2 IMAGINED BIRD NEST PART 3 of 3:
Imagined Bird Nest Part 2
Check out: Imagined Bird Nest Part 1 Imagined Bird Nest Part 2:
Imagined bird nest: part 1
Pencil crayon, watercolour, ink, coffee, cherry juice on newsprint. Next step: collage, embellish and embroider