Dunwich

Dunwich charcoal drawings, by Liz Atkin

Drawing is a key tool for my recovery and my mental wellbeing. Since relocating to Whitstable in 2021, I have found myself enchanted by the coastline – from sea swimming and beach walks, to capturing the intricate tidal textures through my artwork. My charcoal drawings of Dunwich beach, created during a well-being day with Art Branches, reflect a deep fascination with the sea. This instinctive attraction to texture is intricately linked to my lifelong experience of Compulsive Skin Picking. This disorder has a "constant energy,” there is a rhythm it creates within my body. Through my charcoal drawings, I channel this energy, using the patterns, speed, and control of my hands and fingertips to create on the page. For me, charcoal offers a texturally therapeutic escape, providing a calming counterbalance to the tactile nature of skin picking. My profound connection to the sea intertwines with grief – another enduring love that shapes my creative journey.