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