Groundlines at b-side (Isle of Portland)

Groundlines (Isle of Portland), drawing and walking the island with a miniature ‘gallery’ for b-side.

On Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th September I’ll be on the Isle of Portland making a series of small Groundlines drawings whilst walking the island. This is an extension of my journey along ancient chalk and flint tracks from Norfolk to Weymouth for A Line Across England.

If you’re visiting the island that weekend, or during the week before, there will be lots of creative events happening. Come and find me walking and drawing on the island or pop into the FRINGE hub at the Royal Manor Theatre to find out more about what I’m doing and where I’ll be during the weekend. I’ll be carrying a miniature travelling Groundlines ‘gallery’ of drawings as I walk and draw.

The last drawing made at Smallmouth Beach for A Line Across England (2016-2018)

When I completed A Line Across England in 2018, I initially planned to extend it from Weymouth to Portland Bill Lighthouse. A heavy sea mist upon arrival in Weymouth made it difficult to see the sea at Smallmouth Beach so I paused my journey there, potentially complete or to be extended. I’m looking forward to spending time walking and drawing on the island in September.

Over the course of the weekend I’ll be extending this line from Smallmouth Beach to Portland Bill Lighthouse.

A what’s on guide, including the b-side FRINGE and festival events at different locations on the island, will be on the b-side website. My listing on b-side website with info and directions is here.

Following the festival, my chalk lines will continue from the Isle of Portland to travelling on to the Big Chalk conference in Winchester, 9-11 September. The conference aims to connect nature conservation and related activities across the calcareous (chalk and limestone) landscapes of southern England. Let me know if any of you will be there too or are involved in any chalk projects. I’ll be there representing myself as an artist, including walk.draw*, and also as a Co-Director on behalf of Walking the Land CIC.

* Walking and drawing is a core part of my creative practice. I also run walk.draw workshops and events.

More info on Groundlines:

Groundlines and Puddle Worlds: maps as records of real and imaginary worlds. I wrote about Groundlines for Living Maps Review (Spring 2022 Edition).

In 2018, I made a series of related drawings following the coastline of a nearby island for An Island Line. A search for Groundlines on this website will also show other works in the series.