Friday, July 25, 2008

Guess Who?


I did this post Africa, and it lives in my current sketchbook.  I thought it was funny that later, she built her own school there.  Coincidence?  I think not.  My sketchbook is magic.

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Another Favorite


I'll let the text on the page speak for itself.

My FAVORITE African Drawing



I know it's a bit crude, but in the interest of sharing...

We were on a 10 day safari in Tanzania.  I asked our Field Guide, Chris, what the strangest thing he had ever seen on safari.  
"A baboon mating with an impala"

I had to draw it.  I think it's one of the best drawings I have ever done.

My Current SKETCHBOOK





I love peeks into people's sketchbooks.  I have been working on this Moleskine book for a couple years now, but you wouldn't know it by looking at it.  However, it has been with me to Africa, Europe, and India.  I really cherish some of the drawings, especially those I did in Africa - Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zanzibar.  They are all pencil and some have some watercolor color additions.  Here are a few from then, circa 2005. 

The top drawing is from Rwanda.  I was fascinated by the clothing - mostly the combinations of western clothing and the traditional prints.  I think you can read what I wrote in this journal styled entry.  Oh, and that was a white flower I pressed in the book.  It turned purple in a matter of weeks!

Next is from the second part of the African journey - Tanzania.  There we met many of the tribs that still exist (to an extent) in Eastern Africa.  This is my rendering of a Maasai warrior. 

Third is from the last leg of our African tour - Zanzibar.  It's an amazing island where I got the best buys.  I found one shop that had the best selection of antiques, both African and Islamic, I have ever seen.  I would go back just to shop.  However, we got to spend a bit of time on the beach where I did this drawing of the Muslim woman, a starfish, and the tower in the background.  It's unfinished.

Lastly, this was an unfortunate site we passed by on the way back from seeing the gorillas.  (Another story).  But this poor boy was biking and had been hit by a car on these gravelly, curving roads.  I can never let this image leave my mind.  This drawing was an attempt.