Charcoal Sketches
Exploring the power of nature through charcoal
Join the journey into the profound depths of the human psyche, explored through charcoal sketches of oceans and mountains. Central to my work is the concept of the oceanic feeling, described by Freud, Jung, and others, as a state of boundless connection, release, and transformation.
The ocean serves as a metaphor for this emotional depth—a place where boundaries dissolve, and the self finds sanctuary in its vastness. These sketches are drawn from moments spent immersed in the landscapes of Mozambique, Cape Town, Barcelona, and the Drakensberg, capturing the balance between protection and vulnerability, chaos and calm
1) Mozambique: The Gentle Unrest
Mozambique’s coastline inspired some of my earliest explorations of the ‘oceanic feeling.’ The tranquil yet restless waves reflect Freud’s notion of longing for unity and safety—a place where the self dissolves into the vastness of nature. These works channel the tension between serenity and chaos, offering a glimpse of the emotional release found in the sea’s embrace.
2) Cape Town Storms
Cape Town’s stormy seas reflect the untamed power of nature, embodying what Walter Benjamin describes as 'divine violence'—a force that breaks down barriers without reinstating new ones. In this series, I explore the ocean as a metaphor for emotional release, transformation, and resilience. The storms, with their raw energy and unpredictability, challenge the walls we construct for protection, offering a space to confront vulnerability and embrace renewal.
"These sketches are inspired by moments spent observing Cape Town’s tumultuous coastline during storms. The waves, relentless yet transient, symbolize both destruction and creation, inviting viewers into a space of profound emotional resonance. Drawing on Judith Butler’s concept of the relational self, this series captures how external forces, like trauma, shape our identities and the boundaries we create. Yet, just as the ocean erodes cliffs over time, these waves represent the potential for healing and connection by dissolving the barriers that hold us back.
3) Charcoal Drawings
This concluding section brings together two contrasting yet interconnected pieces: the tranquil ocean of Barcelona and the commanding peaks of the Drakensberg. While the ocean reflects boundlessness and dissolution, the mountain embodies strength and structure. Both, however, explore the emotional landscapes of the human experience—the yearning for connection, transformation, and a deeper understanding of the self.
Barcelona Wave, 2024
61cm x 48cm
Acrylic Paint, Plaster, Charcoal, pastel on Canvas
The calm waters of Barcelona embody the maternal archetype described by Jung—the ‘Great Mother’—symbolizing rebirth, safety, and the dissolution of boundaries. In this sketch, the ocean invites a reflective state, offering a space to explore emotions and find solace in its quiet embrace. The piece serves as a meditation on tranquility and connection, where the vastness of the sea reflects the vastness of human emotion.
Echoes from the Edge, 2024
70.5cm x 56cm
Acrylic Paint, Charcoal, Plaster, on Canvas.
In contrast, the rugged peaks of the Drakensberg represent the strength and isolation of the boundaries we construct in response to trauma. This drawing reflects the tension between protection and entrapment, as walls intended to shield us often hinder growth and connection. Yet, the mountain’s imposing presence also reminds us of resilience and the potential for transformation as we scale our emotional barriers.
Available Charcoal Sketches
Welcome to the Charcoal Sketches STORE. Below you can find all the available Charcoal Artworks
