Alba Lab

My work begins before the drawing: with water, sound and attention.

I boil water and listen to the bubbles. I pause, breathe and observe. Making and drinking coffee becomes a moment of presence. Then I look at the grounds remaining in the cup and notice the forms that emerge.

I follow those forms with a pencil. A line becomes a figure; a figure suggests a relationship or a story. Through drawing and writing, I explore what it means to me.

Coffee grounds became signs, symbols and a language in my own creative practice. From intuitive images come interpretations; from interpretations comes reflection. From chaos to structure.

1. Pause and listenBoiling water, bubbles, breathing and attention.
2. ObserveDrink the coffee and look at the traces left in the cup.
3. DiscoverNotice a shape or relationship that draws my attention.
4. DrawTranslate that observation into lines and forms.
5. DevelopIntroduce colour or other media where the particular work uses them.
6. ReflectWrite, interpret and connect the image with lived experience.
7. ShareOffer the work and invite someone else’s response.

My technique is intuitive and hybrid. It includes coffee-ground observation, graphite and pencil drawing, photography, writing, and, in some works, digital colour transformation and dialogue with AI. Each artwork names its own materials and process.

My metaphorical cards bring images and questions together. An image can mean something different to each person. I invite you to notice what speaks to you and explore the associations it brings.

The cards can be used as prompts for journalling, conversation and personal reflection. My interpretation is one possible reading; your response belongs to you.

1. CollectGather images, moments or words that catch your attention.
2. ChooseSelect the image that speaks to you today. What drew you to it?
3. ConnectConnect it with an experience, feeling or choice in your life. What do you notice?

A first selection of cards will appear here once it is ready.