I think: drawing is art spell casting.

 

I use it as a kind of way to seduce myself into making stuff. I try to draw objects, art events and atmospheres in ways that make them particularly luscious and appealing to me so I feel like I MUST make them tangible.

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When I make art stuff its very messy and responsive to the place, the season, the weather, how people interact with what I’m making. So design drawings don’t seem that helpful, but spell casting drawings are very useful. If I have an art dream, wish or desire -maybe a place I want an art thing to happen- I do a drawing and then, at some point, it happens- art magic in action!

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I also run workshops in art spell casting and encourage the artists I mentor to make art spells too.

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2-3 times a year I’ll have a one day, one off online art sale where I sell DIY Spell Shell boxes which contain:

• Instructions for drawing as spell casting

• A shell to draw the spell on

• A length of embroidery thread to knot 9 times and ‘seal’ the spell!

 

Knot magic, also known as cord magic, is a form of spellcasting where knots are tied in strings, or ribbons, to represent intentions and direct energy. It's a practice found across various cultures and traditions. I combine knot making with drawing to create what I call Art Spells- creative objects which offer:

• time to reflect on wishes

• time to set intentions

• resources to make desires tangible (a talisman for your wishes)

• opportunities share what you want and need with others- “shy bairns get nowt” as the saying goes in the North East (where I’m from!)

 

I think all these things are useful in making good stuff happen in the world, regardless of any additional mystical or magic powers that may be at play!