Debbie Kersley

I originally studied at Glasgow School of Art and since then have been a freelance artist.

After many years working in Health and Social Care, I have a special interest in the importance of the arts in healthcare and community. I am currently drawing at Monkscroft Care Centre where I created an artist-in-residence a year ago. This project is exploring the ways in which drawing can create a valuable connection between artist, subject and audience, whilst also documenting elements of life for residents, visitors and staff at the Care Centre.

You will often find me sketching outdoors, nature journalling, staring into a tangle of weeds or tree branches and at live music, dance events or workshops.
I also collaborate with others on community arts projects such as Creative Age and I run regular studio sessions for school and home-educated children.
I run a monthly online Look Club and face-to-face gallery discussions, as a trained facilitator of the Visual Thinking Strategies Approach.

Drawing can bring mindful, compassionate attention to what is being focussed on.
This type of attention can bring value and connection for the artist, the subject and the audience. I am interested in the effect of an artist being present in community and nature in a mindful way, and then who/ how this engages and brings value. I am also interested in the artist’s role of documenting, recording and celebrating their personal impressions of community activities, environments and peoples’ lived experiences.

I use drawing to see and learn more. I enjoy ‘looking without knowing’, and then building an understanding through drawing.

Studio

Tel: 07971 106157

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