Eleanor Rahim: Learning to Like Charcoal

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Learning to Like Charcoal

Charcoal is not my favorite medium. I prefer graphite for drawing or charcoal pencils that you can sharpen to a fine point. However, my tutor Jon DeMartin mentioned that charcoal is more 'painterly' than graphite so I persevered with this drawing and started thinking in terms of editing detail and concentrating on gesture and expression. Overhearing Jon talk to a student he said he'd rather have an expressive drawing than a totally accurate one. I agree....striving for complete accuracy at the expense of the overall expression and gesture can kill a drawing or painting.

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Judith Wendell, Sacred Currents

“As a Feng Shui consultant and integrative designer, I look for specific representation and metaphor in artwork. The first time I saw a piece of Eleanor’s work, [Fluid State] I was struck first by its movement, which can be very effective in energizing a particular area of one’s life or business if it is placed prescriptively. The other aspect which I found potent, is her use of color. Color interprets the ‘five elements’ or what is referred to as ‘agents of change’ in feng shui. 'Fluid State' is primarily whites and blues - the metal and water elements. Metal represents virtue, communication, joy and creativity. Water is associated with wisdom, one’s path in life and finances. I immediately thought I love this piece and what a powerful adjustment it would make for my client.”