fil·ly (fl) n. pl. fil·lies 
          1. A young female horse. 
          2. Informal: A lively, high-spirited girl or young woman. 

There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion.
       Sir Francis Bacon (1561-1626)    

I have always been fascinated with the concepts and definitions of beauty and gender,
and especially femininity, in time and society.
This is one of the reasons why I find it so enjoyable to draw some of these
classically feminine ladies with a good, old sailor's pipe of tobacco as a loyal companion.
The pipe smoking may signify a "clashing" extension, but perhaps rather,
an integral part of these characters' personalities.

Through my drawings I explore both the power and the fragile nature of physical beauty, and whatever may shine through from underneath it. I also find great fascination and interest in exploring the borders of what may be beautiful and pleasing, and what may be perceived as weird, challenging or even uncomfortable, both to the eyes and to the soul. There is also a juxtaposition of elements and themes from the real world, along with subtly outerwordly elements and themes, which may open up for experiences of a more undefinable, dream-like and atmospheric character.
In my drawings you may find the salt of the sea, the wind of the moor, along with dreaming,
longing, sensuality, darkness and light, dignity and quiet strength.
I am forever fascinated by the face, and by the unknown, unexplored power, mystery and secrets
of the stare and the gaze - looking out from the soul.
I see these drawings as intimate portraits of strangers who, with or without pipe,
possess unrivalled inner strength and resolve.

As an artist, I have explored numerous styles, media and subjects over the years. Still, I always seem to be coming back to my first ever visual love and way of working, the one that really feels like home, the one closest to my heart: The simple, instinctive act of drawing, with women as the subject matter.
Drawing is my breathing, my magic - the very core of who and what I am, as an artist.
My drawing is and will forever remain my closest, strangest, weirdest, darkest, loveliest, most beautiful and fascinating friend, travel companion and way of "travelling"...


I love and enjoy working with the simplicity, elegance and beauty of lines and marks within the medium of drawing. I am drawn towards, among other things, the refinement and different shades of grey that the medium of graphite provides, the fast, almost savage quality
that using ink with a brush gives, and the softness of charcoal.  
I never sketch, so I never know what filly, woman or person will appear,
until she starts to take shape on the paper...

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and all science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.
Albert Einstein
 
    

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G.H.Andresen ©