Artist Blog of Cheryl Radford

Daily Sketch, No 8

10/9/2024

Today's sketch was quick and small. Done while someone was taking a video and talking to me. A whole new challenge for me... I will provide more details about today's experience in the next few days. It's good to get out of your comfort zone! Back to my small sketchbook, using simple tools: pencil, eraser, micron pen, and water brush with India ink for the tone.

A very quick and simple Urban Sketch of 116 Dundas Street, London.

It takes years

7/12/2024

Sometimes things just take time… a lot of time! Started January of 2020. Ended Summer of 2024. Four and a half years ago, I responded to a call to artist from LAC about a designing a medal for the Ontario Summer Games to be held in London ON. I had never designed a medal before. I started with taking a walk by the river for some contemplation.
Next up, was some research on medal designs through out the years. What did we do before the internet? The reading and observing other designs gives a bit of context and more confidence in what I think I can do and what I want to do.
Next up, sketch out some designs in my sketchbook.

Next up, narrow down the ideas and execute a finished drawing. Submit. Wait. One of the hardest parts for me was the write up about my design. I know what I want to say, back getting the right words takes me more time than it should. Because there was a short timeline, it was not much of a wait. They picked my design. That was early February 2020. Then, as we all know, everything shut down, due to the COVID-19. Everything was cancelled. Stay at home.
Fast forward four years, it’s now January 2024. The world is basically back to normal. A message comes from LAC, with the news that the Ontario summer games are ago here in London, and my design will be used for the medal.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/meet-the-londoners-behind-the-2024-ontario-summer-games-medal-design-1.7253629

STEPAC Juried Show 2024

5/7/2024

Invite and information for the "in view of the artist" Juried Exhibition at St. Thomas-Elgin Public Art Centre

This juried exhibition showcases original two-dimensional works of art that celebrate the artist behind the work, what the artist saw and created, "in their view", real or imagined. This means anything goes.

So pleased that these two artworks were juried into to show:
"Looking at the Four Story Walkup" (ink, WC, cotton thread) 9 1/4" x 9" c2024
and
"The Upper Two Floors" (ink, WC, cotton thread) 13 1/2" x 8 3/4" c2024

Artwork showing a stylized female figure and a red brick historic facade.

Artwork showing a stylized female figure and a yellow brick historic facade.

Urban Sketchers London on Rogers TV

4/6/2024

On February 17, 2024, Urban Sketchers London met at The Market at Western Fair District for the 2nd sketch outing of 2024. Not only was this a great place to sketch, but host Jane Roy from "The Paint Box" (which puts a spotlight on various aspects of the vibrant visual art community in the City of London) joined us to film and interview the sketchers.

Here is the link to view the show: The Paint Box - London (rogerstv.com)

Ink sketches

3/2/2024

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:

These buildings are gone - some burned down, some torn down (in the name of progress), some demolished (demolition by neglect). But they are not forgotten. So many memories for so many people in these buildings.
It's cold in Ontario, Canada in January and I was working on these on a couple of cold days, with daytime temperatures -12°C and feels like -20°C (translates to 10.4°F and feels like -4°F)

Micron 03 and 01 pens, white and black charcoal pencils, on grey 5 x 7 inch Stonehenge paper. I like the edges of the paper, so I plan to float mount these pieces. they will be for the "Within Walking Distance" show, with more details to come...

ONEweek100people 2024

2/8/2024

Spring is coming and so is the #ONEweek100people 2024 challenge!

So, just what is the #ONEweek100people challenge?

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 March!

This year: March 11 to 15, 2024

This will be my 3rd year participating and looking forward to it. Such great practice sketching people from life. Teaches you to sketch faster. Makes you focus on sketching people. It's surprising how easy it was to sketch 100 people last year.... well, I do work small and I usually sketch fast.
This year, my plan is to work larger (although I am always saying I should work larger, and don't!!), add some colour, and be more conscious of the composition on the pages.
By March, it should be warm enough to be outside sketching more, so I always look forward to that!
Stay tuned, I will be posting my sketches here and of course on my Social Media channels.

Square Foot Show

12/2/2023

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”

St Thomas Miniature show & Sale

10/29/2023

Ink and watercolour illustration of the historic Southern Loan Co in St. Thomas Ontario.

Ink and watercolour illustration of a dichromatic brick facade in St. Thomas, Ontario.

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:

Southern Loan Co.
Dichromatic Brickwork
Figure & Aberdeen Block
UF No. 28
UF No. 29

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.

Miniature show

9/6/2023

Dates: September 11 - September 29, 2023
Opening Reception: Wednesday, September 13 from 2 to 4pm
Location: Art with Panache in the Talbot Centre (465 Richmond St, London)

My three entries are:

CTO, Save Me
Rain Boots
Corks No. 1

All art pieces are 6" x 6", ink and watercolour, mounted on birch panel and are for sale.

Ink and watercolour illustration of Call the Office, mounted on birch panel.

Ink and watercolour illustration of Rain Boots mounted on birch panel.

Ink and watercolour illustration of CORKS created with Old South street names, mounted on birch panel.

In view of the Artist

7/28/2023

St Thomas Public Art Centre

"The "In View of the Artist Annual Juried Exhibition" is an art exhibition that celebrates the creative vision of artists by showcasing their unique perspectives on the world. The exhibition is open to a variety of artistic styles and mediums, and features works that reflect the artist's personal view of reality, whether it is real or imagined.
The exhibition is designed to encourage artists to express their individuality and creativity and to share their unique point of view with the world. The works on display may include realistic depictions of the world as the artist sees it, or they may be abstract or surreal interpretations of the world around us.

The beauty of the exhibition lies in the fact that there are no restrictions on the subject matter or style of the artwork. Artists are free to explore and express their unique vision in whatever way they choose. This means that visitors to the exhibition can expect to see a wide variety of works that reflect the diversity of artistic expression.
Ultimately, the "In View of the Artist Annual Juried Exhibition" celebrates the power of art to capture and communicate the individual perspective of the artist."
So pleased that "Cincy, Saving Me" has been juried into this exhibition.

Cincy, Saving Me (ink and WC) 9 x 13 in c2023

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