This was my 3rd year to take part in the "One Week 100 People" challenge. This year some of my drawings/sketches are from life, and some I used photo references (just too cold to sit outside sometimes). It is always such great practice. As we all know, the more you practice, the more you learn, the more confident you get and the better your drawings become!
"Taking inspiration from online challenges such as #Inktober, urban sketchers Marc Taro Holmes (Montreal, CA) and Liz Steel (Sydney, AUS) invite the world to join in with #OneWeek100People – every year in the March!" Challenge completed between Monday March 11 and Friday Friday March 15, with a total of 104 people sketched. The beauty of traditional pen and ink is in the power of simple lines. It's a simple process, using simple tools on a piece of paper.
The downside... permanent ink is well, permanent. Sometimes you can correct a mistake, but sometimes it's impossible to correct it! These sketches are drawn from photos, the reasons being:
Spring is coming and so is the #ONEweek100people 2024 challenge!
I have my artwork at various shops and have been entering juried shows, as well as some seasonal shows and sales. So. this year... is the year to have a show of my own. It will not be a solo show, but rather a show with my artwork and possibly a local photographer. Still working out the details about where, when, and with whom. My tentative title is "Within Walking Distance". Most work I create is because I walk a lot. I have many years of walking to work in downtown London and Old East Village, plus walking dogs. The focus is on what I know and what I see on a daily basis. It will include lots of architecture, and it will also include other subjects, that all have a connection to downtown London.
Planning for later in the year: late summer or early fall. Giving me lots of time to create new works. I already have a couple of pieces completed. As soon as I have more details, I will share the details. Because I have been doing admin work and bookkeeping for my day job since 2003, my artwork has gotten smaller and smaller. Most of my artwork has been about 5 inches by 7 inches, with an occasional 6 inches by 24 inches, which is really just one big long 5-inch piece of art... a whole city block of buildings. Now is the time to start working larger!
I have enjoyed urban sketching for quite a few years now. This year with a little more time on my hands, I plan to do more urban sketching. I have become an ADMIN for the Urban Sketchers London Ontario (link to facebook group). So my plans and goals for this year include:
Put more effort into selling more art. I love the creation part, but I am not putting enough effort into selling. This was on my list last year and I worked on it to a point. I have kept good relations with the shops that already sell my work. And here is some of the shows and sales from last year.
The 11th annual Square Foot Show At Westland Gallery in London.
Grand Opening Reception: Wednesday, December 6th, 3 – 9 pm. Show runs: December 6, 2023 - December 30, 2023. LONDON FREE PRESS | WESTLAND GALLERY 470 works of original works of art by 250 local artists hang in a beautiful mosaic from floor to ceiling. This exhibition is a must-see for new and experienced collectors, artists, and art enthusiasts. My entries: "Dundas Streetscape with Figure" (India ink & watercolour & Gouache, mounted on birch panel) 12” x 12” " Figure and Ferns" (India ink & watercolour, mounted on birch panel) 12” x 12” "Catching a fly ball is a pleasure, but knowing what to do with it after you catch it is a business." - Tommy Henrich
Recently completed this new illustration of a "baseball glove with ball". Sometimes when you decide to draw/paint/sketch/ a subject, you think "oh this will be easy" You don't realize how much detail there is OR how complicated the subject is. There was a lot more detail in this glove than I thought, it took a really long time to complete this one! I kept thinking I was finished, only to realize, another section was not complete. But finally done and I am happy with it. Brings back memories from playing baseball (slowpitch) to going to see baseball games. This year I saw MLB baseball in both Cincinnati and Pittsburg, with both ballparks in the heart of the downtown. From that image comes a new greeting card. I look forward to continuing with the sports theme... next up golf, then hockey, then curling... MINIATURE SHOW at St. Thomas Elgin Public Art Center
Location: 301 Talbot St, St Thomas, ON Dates: November 14 to December 23, 2023 My five entries are:
All illustrations are ink and watercolour, mounted on birch panel and are for sale. The miniature show and sale is at the St. Thomas Public Art Center, in St. Thomas, Ontario. |