probably never sure – Patrick Mitchell

probably never sure includes drawings Patrick has made in the past year as part of his daily practice of repeatedly drawing the same subjects.

In his practice, Patrick repeatedly draws subjects that he knows well and sees daily, acknowledging that the subject is constantly changing as is he; with his approach and perception of reality.

He is interested in learning how to ‘navigate’ the structure of a form in a way that speaks of the vitality of momentary experience.

Although small, each of his drawings is the end result of an incredibly intense experience, and comes after many, many preceding attempts. He finds it incredibly difficult to get a drawing that feels worth keeping, like a revelation, like a moment.

probably never sure is a show of drawings made in the past year, including self-portraits, drawings of his dogs, and views of the landscape between Tullybelton and Little Glenshee; places he has recently passed while out running. Accompanying the drawings are handwritten poems about the experience of making each drawing. Looking at his reflection, for hours, trying to get a self portrait that feels like a revelation. Cycling miles to a spot where he has been drawing and then having to contend with overconfident flies and burning sun. Drawing Millie, one of his dogs, when his parents and his other dog were away for a few days. Drawing from an old photograph of him and his brother at Little Glenshee when they were young. The poems are nearly illegible because of the handwriting, but they represent Patrick trying to make a piece of writing in the same way that he makes his drawings: attempt after attempt after attempt leading to one that feels worth keeping.

Patrick Mitchell graduated with a first-class Honours degree in Fine Art from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design in 2022; and completed a Drawing MFA also at Duncan of Jordanstone in 2023, receiving a Masters degree with merit. He was longlisted for the Scottish Portrait Awards in 2022, and longlisted for the Jacksons Art Prize this year. In his practice, he repeatedly draws and paints subjects that he experiences daily.