Megan Hayes
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It’s been a real privilege to be invited to work on CAU’s site at Mount Pleasant, Cambridge.
At first, trying to visually document everything happening was quite daunting, as there was so much action contained in the site and a wide variety of subject matter to explore.
I found the opportunity to speak with staff working on site helped me decide where to direct my attention on specific scenes of interest and acted as a great guide for the overall shape of my project.
I feel the investigative, journalistic element of reportage illustration has given purpose and meaning to my body of work and resulted in an enticing narrative rooted firmly in first-hand experiences.
I use observational drawing as a library to inform all my work. It gives me the opportunity to capture and show my personal interpretation of the world moving around me; using experimental mediums, imaginative and playful colours as another level of communication in my images to show the viewer what intrigues me in a scene, person or subject.
Observational drawing provides me with a way to channel my curiosity as a creative and develop a deeper understanding of the little gestures, behaviours, organic and industrial landscapes that build a greater feeling of humanity within my illustrations.
Sara Sou
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I knew this reportage project would be challenging for me. After spending the first day at the archaeological dig site, I thought I would not be able to make it to the end as it was one of the most uncomfortable places I have made art in!
Surprisingly, I found myself loving the work I made on site. To survive the discomfort, I quickly learnt which medium worked best for me and stopped overthinking the composition of the drawing.
By engaging with the archaeologists, I felt a lot more connected to the subject I was drawing and I believe it was one of the many things that made me love the work I created.
When I was pushed out of my comfort zone to draw on location, I began to really look at what I am drawing instead of what I think I am drawing.
It is not always easy and rewarding but over time I learned to enjoy the process. And through it, I reflected a lot on the way I work and from there on, pushed myself further to explore and investigate more possibilities.
Drawing from life also feels kind of like meditation, just being present in the surroundings, absorbing the vibe and constantly noticing changes and movements around me, and documenting them on papers the way they are, without any judgement.
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