Brian Haverlock's drawings are self-reflective. They affirm reality while seeking deeper areas of the human condition. He uses symbolism in his drawings as a portal to understanding, enticing the viewer to reconsider accepted psycho-personal and theological ideologies. His work is both playful and challenging in its reformatting of reality. Like an icon, Haverlock's work invites contemplation.
Brian is a draughtsman. He is interested in the aesthetic and technical aspects of drawing whether that with graphite, collage or mixed media. For many years he has aimed to outdraw the camera by surpassing its mechanical modality, drawing pictures of people and things with the precision of detail inspired by art masters such as Peter Bruegel, Albrecht Durer and Gregory Gillespie. He also draws inspiration from Iconography, Daguerreotype photography and art history.
Haverlock pushes the envelope of drawing. In doing so, he verifies the mysticism of drawing which keeps him engaged with it as a vehicle for visual expression. He builds drawings with graphite pencil, usually on paper panels, choosing graphite because of its purity and achromatic value. The primitive and elemental nature of graphite disciplines the artist by forcing a mastery of its technical capabilities.
Methodologically, Haverlock first builds collage sketches. The sketches are preparatory manipulations of juxtaposed photographs and visual references that he finds on the Internet and magazines. Photo reference materials are ready-made tools for building composition into his narratives; they serve as starting points for the final graphite drawings. Personally framing the finished drawings verifies the role of definition and boarder as an integral part of the work.
Drawing with collage and graphite pencil appeals to him; as a child growing up in North Dakota Brian recalls his early attraction to graphite as a preferred drawing medium because of its natural properties. Sometimes the results of his creative efforts disturb, upset, or enlighten viewers who engage the drawings on an intimate level.