Down but not out

Dave. Pencil in moleskin.

 I have been taken on as an art tutor for the charity WEA (wea.org.uk). My first course started on Thursday and I'm working at the charity Sanctus (sanctus-home.com) in their cafe. All the participants are  homeless, destitute or have fallen on hard times. As Sanctus say, "We are not here to judge, but to help and act as a resource for the community" and my course is both a gentle way into education and also, hopefully, aids the participants' health and wellbeing (confidence building, social engagement etc).

From Class 1: working on contour portraits.

On Thursday, I have to confess, apart from nerves of running a new course for a new employer AND it was the first time the WEA and Sanctus have worked together, I was nervous as I have only interacted with this community in a limited way (buying The Big Issue) and stereotypes were running around my head. After just 2 sessions, I am so pleased the stereotypes are wrong. I feel I am learning more than the guys.

Sweep joins the 2nd class.

There's not much time to draw when you are the class tutor, but above top is a incomplete sketch of Dave, who's very sweet and also a good drawer.

Waiting

Café at National Gallery. Ink in Moleskin sketchbook

On Saturday, I went to London to see some of the exhibitions. Whilst waiting for my friend to arrive, I sketched in the National Gallery's café.

 I didn't have any more time to sketch as my friend and I saw
three exhibitions starting with Rembrandt: The Late Works at the National. Then it was round the corner to the NPG to see Grayson Perry's, Who Are You? and finally the Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize 2014. All worth seeing!
I'm a total Grayson Perry convert after seeing his exhibition and then watching the backstory documentaries.

What exhibitions have you seen recently?

AEDM week 2 & the end

9th November, watercolour in moleskin sketchbook

I was doing quite well with AEDM, but have now stopped. Luckily, I have an art teaching contract to prepare for, which has moved its start date early January to 10 days away eek 

Here are my week 2 results.

9th again (missed 8th)

A second submission for the 9th - Degas eating a bone. Coloured pencil in moleskin sketchbook.

A tired girl for the 10th. Super5 pen in moleskin

Photo taken at sunrise 11th November.

 Martinmas Day (11th November) The Feast of St Martin, Martinmas was a time for celebrations with great feasts and hiring fairs, at which farm labourers would seek new posts. Since 1918 the 11th has been commemorated as Armistice Day, and all remnants of the old Martinmas celebrations have disappeared.

12th. Ink in A6 Laloran sketchbook 

I had to take my mum to the hygienist on the 12th and I sketched this whilst I waited. I have to say it's not somewhere I ever expected to sketch in and was disappointed when they finished as I hadn't got the details in I wanted to.

Super5 pen in A4 Daler sketchbook.

Finally, I drew my sketching kit for Liz Steel's course, SketchingNow Foundations Online Course. That's all my aedm for 2014. I hope you liked these week 2 results.

At the ATP World Tour Finals

Loved sketching the tennis fans

 As many of you know, I am a tennis fan and was able to go to the ATP World Tour finals in London yesterday. I took a few photos, watched lots of amazing tennis, and managed a few sketches between the afternoon and evening session. Hope you like them.

Queuing to enter the evening session.

Andy Murray has a warm up session.

 I think the last sketch I did, which is of the fans (top) is the best, Do you agree?

A tennis fan at the O2 arena.

Art Every Day Month (AEDM)

 Having done quite well on #Inktober, I thought I would continue the momentum by joining in Art Every Day Month (AEDM). AEDM is hosted by Leah at creativeeveryday.com throughout the month of November. She states: "Art is loosely defined here... anything creative, whether that be painting, drawing, knitting, sewing, cooking, decorating, writing, photography, clay, jewelry-making." 

As with Inktober, I've set up an album on Facebook (#aedm2014) but am posting here at the end of each week, I hope, so here are my results for week 1.

 1st November

 Art in the form of a photo of this evening's striped sky. 

Quote from Shelley's Hymn to Intellectual Beauty, st. 3. (1816).

2nd November

On All Souls' Day (2nd Nov) the Roman Catholic Church remembers all those who have died - not just the great and the good, but ordinary man-in-the-street. Before the Reformation, in Britain, it was customary for poor Christians to offer prayers for the dead, in return for money or food (soul cakes), from their wealthier neighbours. On that day, I prayed for my dad, who loved cakes, although I think these would have been too plain for him.

3rd

Watercolour pencil in A4 Daler sketchbook

daysoftheyear.com state that the 3rd of November is both Jellyfish Day and Sandwich Day, so that's what I chose to draw. Jellyfish source: www.sciencebuzz.org

4th

Photo taken that morning, I hope the saying is wrong.

5th

In 1605, thirteen young men planned to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Among them was Guy Fawkes, Britain's most notorious traitor. The Plot was foiled in the night between the 4th and 5th of November. Already on the 5th, agitated Londoners who knew little more than that their King had been saved, joyfully lit bonfires in thanksgiving. As years progressed, however, the ritual became more elaborate. (Source: www.bonfirenight.net) I took this photo in Italy a few years back and added the traditional rhyme on the 5th.

6th & 7th

I'm not sure if painting the kitchen ceiling really counts as being either artistic or creative, but it was certainly productive. Then last night, I went to a product promotion and I creatively completed the order form with a sketch of the ladies opposite.

 

  #aedm2014 seems to be turning out into a mini investigation into British rhymes and traditions, so I shall do more over the next week.

What do you think so far?

Inktober 2014

5th #Inktober. Wilting sunflower. Soluble ink in Moleskin sketchbook.

 On the 5th October, I heard about a drawing challenge called Inktober. It was created in 2009 by Jake Parker, the Inktober drawing challenge is to do one ink drawing a day the entire month of October. More info here: inktober.com  As I'm struggling with creativity and motivation, I thought I would participate. Here are a selection of the ink drawings I did.

15 Attempt 2... and again she moved before I'd finished

17th Scone with Tiptree jam

21st sketching in the #SilentPartners exhibition

25th Dad's tea roses.

 You can see the whole set in a FB album here: Sue's Inktober

I love receiving comments, please leave your thoughts below.

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