Al Davison (The Astral Gypsy)

One morning in 1988 I woke up to find I'd gone blind. At the time I had no idea that it was temporary. I just knew that along with the blindness I was losing my visual memory, the ability to visualize my family's faces, even simple shapes, and that the partial paralysis I'd had as a result of being born with Spina-Bifida had returned.
I was blind for three months on two occasions that year. My reaction to my visual memory fading was to continue to draw, even though I had no idea if the pen contained ink or whether the paper was blank or not. When my sight returned I began to analyze the drawings I'd produced, and what I'd leaned about tapping into the unconscious, perception, dreams, and drawing. I have been teaching art based on that knowledge for over twenty years.

The Graphic novel and workshops

Now seems like a good time to put all that on paper. But a typical 'how to draw' book doesn't seem appropriate, given the subject. Utilizing the techniques I have discovered to create the book is the only way to go. I've ended up with part autobiography part 'how to draw' and part dream showcase. I've taught everyone from school children to senior art students, from dream researchers to teenagers at risk and abuse survivors. I aim to use the book as a focal point, developing workshops and performances around it. I hope it will become a tool that others can also use to develop alternate approaches to the nurturing of creativity.

The art of the book and how you can help

We are committed to the idea of the book as an art object in itself, as well as the book as a medium for reaching as many people as possible, our project combines both. We want to produce a limited edition collectors item. 200 hardback copies with a quarter cloth spine, cover litho printed with vegetable oil based ink, interiors printed in high quality digital, in a an outsized format 31cm x 22cm printed by Calverts containing an original black and white drawing in each copy and priced at $49.00 All the proceeds of the limited edition will then used to print an affordable trade paperback edition. We need your help to raise the money to print the limited edition graphic novel. $6,498. We aim to launch the limited edition at Though Bubble in November.

So what happens if we don't meet the target? well, if the money raised isn't enough to create the deluxe edition but is enough to produce the trade paperback then we will do that, and contributors will receive a copy of that plus artwork to the value of their contribution. If we fail to raise enough for even the trade edition, the money will go into a pot until we can explore other funding opportunities. Contributors will receive artwork to the value of their contribution anything from a pencil sketch to a archival art print to a full color acrylic painting. Should we reach our goal, and have money left over after printing the trade edition, that money will go towards equipment to help run art courses for young people in Coventry.

Other Ways You Can Help

If you are unable to contribute financially you can still help, if this project captures your imagination then put the word out, tell your friends send links to the campaign out with all your e-mails, it all helps. Thank you.