13 May 2021

I am sharing my Kenneth Burns Artworks website, to spread my recent selection of works around. These pictures are small - indeed pocket sized, extracted form a pile of little sketchbooks, which I use as journals every day. Drawing, the action of making an initial mark of expression, and pulling it, and pushing it, and generally manipulating it, to create a line, or tone, or a shadow, and then further moving it around to make a satisfying or recognizable image is so vitally important to me. I simply love drawing. I do believe that drawing is the earliest and most fundamental means of human expression. Writing evolved from ancient hieroglyphs, which were in fact drawings, stylized depictions. So making marks, drawing and writing are all means of expressing ideas. Some drawings can be very complicated and sophisticated, these explain detailed designs of our, buildings, crafts, vessels or machines. Drawings are tools of our civilization. I like to describe how my paintings evolve from simple quick sketches, even doodles, that initially plot an idea, or a visual stimuli that captures my interest. I like to have drawing and painting materials with me and close to hand, at all times. Folk frequently ask me if I... am painting at the moment...? I am sure they mean painting a large piece of work. The answer to this is that I am constantly envisaging paintings, and there is always a painting on the go at some stage of completion. For me the fun element of the work is the discovery of a location of interest and then the exploration of getting to know it and learning all about it. Certain special locations find me returning, over and over there is always a new aspect to discover.

This collection of little drawings and paintings, are the elements of the progression and development of much larger pieces. I call them my working drawings, though one or two can stand for themselves as complete works. I brought this collection together in a response to the kind suggestion of some of my dear and valued friends, whose support has carried me through a very sad year. You will know who you are and I hope how highly I regard you all.

I hope those of you have not yet seen these drawings, sketches and little paintings, will like what you see. KB May 2021

On turning 60

 

Turning Sixty. What is the real significance of this age.

So what happened, actually it sort of crept up on me... I turned round and... there...I'm Sixty, already. The 6th of May my birthday, and like many others, the date that I marked events and assessed where I was at and where I heading. It was right on me at last. I have been aware, so much of life has rushed past and prior to this birthday, I was actually enjoying the challenges and aspects of life that we think will go on forever. Who really does the arithmetic of ageing, when just getting on with living is a natural progress. But it wasn't a dread of reaching this age, that caused me any anxiety, we all learn in early formative years that the things we dread most often prove to be of little concern, after all. It was the fact that, for once, I had very little knowledge or idea of quite how I was going to even mark the day let alone celebrate my sixtieth birthday. A significant moment for reflection and self appraisal. Most important was another mile stone and major first happening. This was my first birthday without the supportive love of my Dear Mother, and I suddenly felt overwhelmingly vulnerable. I knew that there would be many moments of very strong emotions. Then the wonderful kindness of people I value as friends and family began to come through. I stopped looking back and feeling sorry for myself, this was always a happy day, in my life, full of fun, laughter and the good things of life. It was, like all birthdays a celebration of living. Exactly what I had been brought up, by my late parents, to believe. The day was most enjoyable, even if the weather was being awkward and unlike spring. I got lovely messages and cards from kind people, and I began to really understand the importance of maturing and enjoying the beautiful aspects of life and the benefits of age. Life must be shared and enjoyed with other people.

KB, in reflection of my 60th birthday.