Artist Blog of Cheryl Radford

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Sketching vs Drawing

5/15/2020

I have been asked "why do I call some of my artworks - sketches and some of my artworks - drawings?"

Official Definitions
sketch: a rough drawing representing the chief features of an object or scene and often made as a preliminary study
drawing: the art or technique of representing an object or outlining a figure, plan, or sketch by means of lines

I find a "sketching" in a sketchbook fun and relaxing. There is no pressure to please other people. I am using a sketchbook, which is relatively inexpensive, (usually) acid free, 60 lb paper with a fine tooth surface. The finished product is just for me. I find my lines are freer and there is more life in the sketch when I am not concerned about exact shape, size, colour, etc.

Most of my commissions required more detail. I use a much more expensive substrate, (usually) Arches Watercolour Hot Press 140 lb, and 100% cotton paper. The challenge is always to keep the "life and character" in the finished drawing. I would say... my finished artworks fit somewhere in the grey area between a sketch and a drawing. My finished works are not exact, but they are close.

I Walk

5/8/2020

I have always enjoyed walking. Way back when I was in my 20's, it was because I did not have a vehicle, but I eventually bought a car. I lived downtown and worked downtown, so continued to walk. And I still like to walk.

First, I think its the best exercise, you don't need any special equipment, you don't need other people, you can just walk out your door and go. Oh, and it helps to wear off the beer I drink and the chocolate I eat!
Second, I find walking alone very meditative. I prefer to walk with no headphones or cell phone, and I prefer to walk by the river and get a little taste of nature in the city. Listening to the sound of the river, the birds, and the wind....
Third, I find this time great for creative ideas. Ideas pop into your head when you are relaxed.

I love to walk. I do not love to bike. I do bike once and a while but not as enjoyable. I miss the connection with nature. So when I go for a bike ride it's nice to just sit by the river and sketch. Always have a sketchbook!

Sitting by the river sketching.

Virtual Beer

4/25/2020

Combining beer tasting, sketching and chatting. I was really missing the great conversations that happen over beer! Not as good as in person, but at this time... virtual beer it is!
Last week, with a friend from out of province (Rickard's Red: full-flavoured, medium-bodied Red ale) and this week a friend from London (Sweet Potato Rye: rich, golden-hued, organic ale, made with local, organic sweet potato. from London Brewing Co-operative)
Oh sooooo good!

How DId I Get Here?

4/12/2020

Volkswagen Beetle, Multi-colour

Reminds me of...
"Once In A Lifetime" by Talking Heads
And you may find yourself
Living in a shotgun shack
And you may find yourself
In another part of the world
And you may find yourself
Behind the wheel of a large automobile
And you may find yourself in a beautiful house
With a beautiful wife
And you may ask yourself, well
How did I get here?

Well, how did I get to this multi-coloured Volkswagen Beetle?
The short answer is "time". Go home and stay home.
... This all started with a search for a specific golf hole photograph to use as reference for a hole-in-one for a friend. In my search, I found a CD of photos that I took at a classic car, truck and tractor show in Bracebridge in 2012.

First, I see old tractors, I want to draw one of those... having been raised on a farm.
Then, came a red truck... red is the only colour of vehicle I have ever owned.
Then, a turquoise car,... just because it is a great colour for a classic car.
Then, came the Volkswagen Beetle, they came in such great colours!! So, I did a red one and a turquoise one.

Then, I read about how "most VW parts are interchangeable from one year to the next" so you could have a care that looked like this! See all six illustrations here.

Red Barns

4/4/2020

When you go for a drive in the country, you will notice some barns are painted red. Having lived in the city for many years, but having been raised on a farm, a drive in the country is such a pleasant experience.
Do you ever wonder why are barns painted red?

Barns are red so a farmer's cows can find their way home. Incorrect
Red Barns looked like brick and therefore considered to be a sign of wealth. Incorrect
Red paint is cheap. Well sort of...
Originally barns were not painted at all.

Red Barn No. 1

"The early farmers that settled in New England didn't have much extra money to spend on paint, so most of their barns remained unpainted. By the late 1700s, farmers looking to shield their barns' wood from the elements began experimenting with ways to make their own protective paint.
A recipe consisting of skimmed milk, lime and red iron oxide created a rusty-colored mixture that became popular among farmers because it was cheap to make and lasted for years. Farmers were able to easily obtain iron oxide the compound that lends natural red clay its coppery color from soil. Linseed oil derived from flax plants was also used to seal bare wood against rotting, and it stained the wood a dark coral hue."
Source: https://www.livescience.com/33195-barns-traditionally-painted-red.html

Make it a Positive Experience

3/29/2020

When I started my "stay at home" for 2 weeks on Wednesday of this week, I made the decision that I would make this a positive experience. Besides more time to do artwork, which is the best part... I started each day with a list of what I would do that day, then at the end of the day I revisit it and check off everything I did.
I have kept myself busy with an indoor sketch challenge from Urban Sketchers Waterloo Region, lots of drawing, reading, yoga, walking the dog and putting more of an effort into social media. Still don't love it, but seeing more benefit. It is very time consuming. No post on social media today, back to it tomorrow.

My Hoppy Place

3/21/2020

As an introvert, I am very happy in a group of ONE! During this time of social distancing, staying at home, reading, drawing, walking the dog, and watching a movie at home, suit me just fine. But, for extroverts and sports lovers, this is a challenging time. Hang in there, you will get through it...

Sometimes the winter months for me means going to work, coming home and not going out. And to be honest, I am happy to do just that. But, back in December, I decided I should be more social over the course of the winter months, so I started a new project and it is:

part social
part journal
part history
part support local
part educational
part fun

Its a beer sketchbook. To anyone that knows me, this would not surprise them. I like beer. I like all kinds of beer and I like to try different kinds of beer. I also find you have the best conversations over beer. I even illustrated a book related to beer, Barhopping into History, London Ontario, which, by the way, started over a beer! Since I started this sketchbook in late December, I have recorded, meaning sampled and socialized to 26 different kinds of beer. Thanks to friends and family for socializing with me. For now, temporarily on hold. Looking forward to adding to my themed beer sketchbook in the future.

Cover of handmade beer sketchbook

The first page - December

A February page

50 shades of colour - postponed

3/20/2020

Blackfriars Bridge Looking South, Winter ©2019

The New Canvas of Life committee has decided to postpone the upcoming event on April 21, 2020 until the Fall of 2020

This was my submission to this year’s New Canvas of Life in support of the Multi-Organ Transplant Program at London Health Sciences Centre. New Canvas of Life, from May 29 to June 7, at the Grand Theatre-Spriet Stage & Art with Panache Gallery, London.Opening night is May 29, 2018 for New Canvas of Life, presented by The Tricar Group and will feature an intimate performance by Juno Award-winner, singer-songwriter Ron Sexsmith. During the reception, you can view the artwork All artwork will be sold via online auction May 29 to June 7, 2018.

Title: Blackfriars Bridge Looking South, Winter
Medium: ink, watercolour and gouche
Image Size: 5 ¾ X 2 ¾ inches
Frame Size: 10 X 8 inches

I live in Blackfriars area and walk the trails by Thames River everyday. One of my favourite subjects is historic Blackfriars Bridge.

Accountability

3/7/2020

An exhibit of work by my friend Kelly Greene at McIntosh Gallery. It's always good to be exposed to different kinds of artwork. Our approaches to art are so very different. I am a sketcher/illustrator who bases art on surroundings, experiences and places and works primarily in two dimensions in watercolour and ink. Kelly is multi-media artist who focuses on environmental concerns, as well as the impact colonization has had on First Peoples. She works in painting, sculpture, installation, and photography. We always have such interesting conversations!

More Info about exhibition: https://mcintoshgallery.ca/exhibitions/current.html

"Greene is a multi-media artist who works in painting, sculpture, installation, and photography. A Mohawk member of the Six Nations of the Grand River in Ohsweken, Ontario, Greene focuses on topics that include environmental concerns as well as the impact that colonization has had on Canada's First People. Although she wasn’t raised within her Indigenous heritage, Greene has spent much of her adult life learning about her Haudenosaunee identity."

Page from Beer Sketchbook

sketching the dog

2/17/2020

Buddy is a great model ... when he is sleeping! Sketch in ink and white pencil on grey toned pastel paper. Quick sketch before he moved again.

Sketchbook, sketch of Buddy