When looking through my sketch books this fall, I started to realize that most of these drawings were done while experiencing an extended period of complete solitude. It may have been that I had travelled to Victoria by myself to do some shopping and visit some galleries. Or, it may have been that I was staying in a rental property close to home while renovations were being done. At any rate, I was alone and my immediate surroundings were different. I found that the furniture, knickknacks, the view from the window and even new channels on the TV would draw a response from me.
Each drawing or sketch that I did represented a unique moment in time, one that I knew would not be repeated. I had time to really look at a dried flower arrangement made by someone else, as well as at an interesting lamp or pillow covering. It turns out that I love some of these little drawings for their immediacy and lack of perfection. They bring back the memory of small discoveries, of an inner world.
By the way, I used to think of sketches as a totally black and white affair, pencils, graphite, etc., but colored markers have changed all that. They come in many exciting colors and when they are dry, you can erase any pencil lines that are showing. They are perfect for travel. They are also perfect to grab at a moment’s notice in the studio, and record a memory or an idea.
One of my favorites is called “A Quiet Moment”. It is a small colored marker drawing of an interior scene. I spent some time in a vacation rental property near here while some house renovations were being done. I used one of the living room chairs as a starting point and then added a woman sitting comfortably. Beside her is a small table with a cup of tea and a potted daffodil. Behind her I added some photographs on the wall and a window displaying a collection of vases. It shows a moment of peace and reflection.
Another sketch/drawing inspired by my stay in that rental property is called “Dried Flower Bouquet”. There is nothing quite like discovering a floral arrangement put together by someone else. There it sat, right on the dining room table, an inviting little work of art. So, of course, I had to make a visual record of it.
“Victoria at Night” came during a shopping trip to Victoria. I had gone out for an evening walk around the inner harbor. It was overcast and slightly raining. Soon the street lights came on and transformed the scene into something quite magical. When I returned to my hotel room an abstract drawing began to take form in my sketch book.
And so it goes. I have taken photographs of some of these sketches. They are available here in the “SHOP” under “IMAGES”. They are also available under “REPRODUCTIONS” from Fine Art America where they can be reproduced in all sorts of ways: cards, wall art, phone cases, t-shirts, etc.
Keep well, stay safe, and have a Happy New Year !
