Cuba here I come!

The art equipment I'm taking, minus a roll of masking tape & my DSLR.

My Lonely Planet for Cuba is bookmarked. Paper, paints, pens and pencils are ready. Plus shorts, bikinis and hiking sandals are packed.

I'm off...See you in 3 weeks.

Out of the handbag III (UK)

Across the river. Ink in A6 sketchbook© Sue Pownall 2011

Here are a few sketches from my A6 handbag sketchbook drawn over the last couple of weeks. Last Saturday, my parents & I went up to the Royal Academy to see their Summer exhibition, so I sketched on the train up.

© Sue Pownall 2011

© Sue Pownall 2011

 We then went over to Sadler's Wells to see the amazing show Fela!. First I sketched the musicians on stage and then the audience listening to them before the show started.

© Sue Pownall 2011

Fela! Pen & ink and watercolour in A6 sketchbook.© Sue Pownall 2011

I didn't think the sketchbook took watercolour as the pages are thin, but couldn't resist adding colour to the stage of Fela! after I returned from watching the fabulous show. It took quite well, luckily.

© Sue Pownall 2011

Wednesday I went back up to London to see the Watercolour exhibition at Tate Britain. Fantastic exhibition and very inspirational! I drew the woman doing the crossword on the train up. After the exhibition, I caught the water taxi to the Tate Modern, where I went to my favourite cafe on the 7th floor and, inspired by the watercolour exhibition, drew the view across the river. (Posted at top of this post). It took 30 minutes, which for those who know me, is a long time for me on a single sketch.

Sketchday II

Monks' garden. Pen & watercolour, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011

Last September, Sandra of Sandraws came up to Colchester for a sketchday and we arranged to do it again this year. Coincidently, last Saturday, John of JWJarts wrote about sketching in public and our sketchday:

"I have been inspired entirely by my blogger friends... The first urges to try it myself came from Sandra Busby's account of her day with Sue Pownall and I can imagine how wonderful that must have been."

That post is here if you missed what helped to inspire John.

Michelham Priory in the rain. © Sue Pownall 2011

Yesterday, I drove down to Sandra's in Sussex for our second sketchday and we were joined by the artist Kerry (her website). Despite the appalling English summer weather we had a fabulous time drawing at Michelham Priory, although we were disappointed we didn't see or feel any of the ghosts!

Entrance. Pen & ink, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011

After walking around the Priory, we scattered to draw different things. Kerry stopped in the Tudor extension whilst Sandra and I both chose the original entrance to the Priory as our first sketches. It was a challenge as people kept standing in front of us and blocked our view, which is when I quickly sketched the gardener.

Gardener. Pen & ink, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011

Next, I sketched in the old forge. The grounds of the priory were magnificent and it was frustrating to have to be inside due to the rain. Luckily, by 2.45pm it stopped enough so that our last drawing of the day was outside. I chose the wild flower monks garden, which was planted next to the oldest part of the building.

Old Forge, pen & Payne's grey, A5 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011

All too soon it was time for me to leave, but it was a fabulous day and I can't wait for Sketchday III.

For all my sketches I used an A5 sketchbook, which I bought at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, but although the paper is smooth it soaked up my ink and didn't like watercolour. It's a shame as it has got a lovely cover.

The 6x6 Summer Blog Tour

I am excited to be taking part in the 6x6 Summer Blog Tour, which has been arranged by Baang and Burne Contemporary. As a nomadic artist the concept behind Baang & Bourne and their unique approach to exhibitions appeals to my senses. 

I asked the director Kesha Bruce, keshabrucestudio, some questions to find out more: 

Kesha Bruce

• On your website you ask the question “What if there were no more art galleries?” why do you feel this question needs to be asked?

Too many artists are stuck in the mindset that all they need to do is to find a gallery to represent them and then all their career problems will be solved. It’s an old art world myth that keeps getting perpetuated from generation to generation of artists.  In reality, it rarely works that way. Gallery’s come and go, sales slow to a crawl, or as we’ve seen recently, many galleries go out of business.  That leaves artists in a very vulnerable position if they don’t already have a solid marketing plan of their own in addition to working with galleries. It’s a dangerous thing to hand responsibility for your career over to someone else. If an artist wants to have a successful career over the long term they have to understand that they need to take charge of the marketing and selling of their work.

    

• As part of 6x6, you are having a web-work marathon. I have never heard of this, so could you tell me what it is and how it can benefit artists such as myself?

One of the things artists still find most difficult is getting an effective website up and running.  For 6x6 we’ve teamed up with a company that gives website building workshops especially for artists.  You come with your laptop, images, and your artist statement, and you leave with a fully built and functioning website.  

In addition to the website we’re hosting a discussion panel and a workshop to help artists understand what exactly goes into building a website that not only displays their work, but one that functions in a way that can build relationships and ultimately their collector base. 

Charlie Grosso

• Your upcoming event 6x6 is described as the art version of a music festival, what does that mean and why have you taken this approach?

 

My business partner, Charlie Grosso, and I have always believed that the art world should take a few pointers from the music industry in terms of bringing audiences and artists together in a relaxed, fun, and really enjoyable way.  At a rock musical festival people who love music come to see several different groups, take home all the sounds, and then go home with music dancing in their head. That’s exactly what we intend to do with 6x6.  Everyone who attends will get to see the work meet the artists and even take part in a workshop or attend a panel discussion.  It’s about being interactive and making the art viewing experience more personal and less passive.  Art should be more rock’n roll!

Checkout: http://www.keshabrucestudio.com

Baang + Burne website:   http://baangandburne.com/

To read Kesha’s weekly articles on art, art marketing, and creativity and to download a free copy of her guide “The 5 Step Art Career Make-Over” visit www.KeshaBrucestudio.com.

Isabella

Isabella, pencil, 160 x 245 mm.©Sue Pownall 2011

I was recently commissioned to do a portrait of six-year old Isabella. Isabella is full of character and I think her father had fun taking a range of reference photos for me. I chose this one as it shows her beautiful eyes and the charming gap in her teeth.

btw this drawing has a Scottish connection too: Isabella is half-Scots on her paternal side.

Scottish connections

Low tide at Plockton. Pen &  ink. 245 x 165 mm.©Sue Pownall 2011

My Scottish great-grandmother, I'm sure, would be interested in all my latest work. Over the last few months I have drawn 3 Scottish ruins, donated a drawing to the Scottish charity Trees for Life exhibition. Now, I have completed this drawing of Plockton as a donation for a raffle for "The Clan", who are cycling on behalf of the charity CLAN Cancer Support. Mr Flanagan explained about the event and the charity:

CLAN (www.clanhouse.org) is an independent charity based in Scotland that provides support to those affected by Cancer. We have been truly touched by the work of these amazing people who everyday devote themselves to helping others. We felt, whole heartedly, that it was time for us to do something for them.

So, in September 2011, our team of brave biking soles know as "The Clan"will set out from Aberdeen on the East Coast of Scotland and pedal off towards Plockton on the Atlantic Coast. Between us and our destination lay the Scottish Highlands and 280 kilometres.

Our goal: To raise awareness and much needed funds to help support CLAN and the life changing work they do. For this we need your help.

Please checkout their facebook page: "The Clan" We cycle for CLAN Cancer Support and their webpage: justgiving.com/Scotland-Coast2Coast and see how you can help or take part.

Original photo by and used with permission from:  Ian Cameron www.transientlight.co.uk

Putrescence

Refuge, Pen & ink. 320 x 200mm. © Sue Pownall 2011

Ruin III has been named - Refuge. Thank you Linda for the suggestion.

As you can see from the picture, it has been sold! It has been bought by the man who bought Darragh's House ~  my first collector ~ and he's talking about having the third in the series too.

If you are wondering about the title, I was in Thesaurus.com looking for synonyms of decay, and this one jumped out.

My seven links.

Khalifa's Gate, Omdurman.Pen & ink 400x200mm ©Sue Pownall 2010

The My 7 Links Project was generated by TripBase to "unite bloggers (from all sectors) in a joint endeavour to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again." Bloggers list their Top 7 Links in the following categories and then tag others and so it goes on.

I was tagged for this project by Lisa, who does a fabulous job as a travel concierge, and arranging travel reservations, weddings and more, at Wanderlust Women Travel.  Please pop over to her website.  

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Here are a selection of my past posts, which I think deserve this trip back in time:

My most beautiful post:

For me has to be the featuring of the first of my new Decay Series drawings, which has subsequently sold. Decay.

Darragh's House. Pen & ink. 320 x 200mm. © Sue Pownall 2011

My most popular post:

My art based resolutions for 2011 had the most hits, still continues to get regular hits, and had one of the highest number of comments.

My most controversial post:

I don't really do controversy, but at the beginning of this year my stats showed that someone had searched for Cute Eritrean Guys and landed on my art. Consequently, I used that as my next blog title to show my sketches & photos of the ATP tennis final.

My most helpful post &

a post I felt didn’t get the attention it deserved:

I am trying to use my art for good so two posts that mean a lot to me. 

First, the 31st WW Sketchcrawl Doha-Japan benefit, which I organised in Doha to raise funds for Japan following this year's earthquakes. This is the post which I wish had got more attention, so I could have raised more money.

Second, the post for the current exhibition for Scottish charity Trees for Life for which I donated a drawing. Please go to the website and you can buy my original drawing, or one of the others that have been submitted, for only £45 and 100% of profits will go to the charity.

The President's Tree, pen & ink, 160 x 230mm © Sue Pownall 2011

NB: A friend is organising a charity cycle ride for the end of September for CLAN cancer support and I will be donating towards their raffle too. Please look out for news here / on twitter /  facebook page: "The Clan" We cycle for CLAN Cancer Support / and the event website justgiving.com/Scotland-Coast2Coast . Clan's website is clanhouse.org if you want more information on the charity itself.

A post whose success surprised me:

Bear on a chair was a sketch I posted in August 2010 and then reposted for Illustration Friday as IF: Toy.

Bear on a chair. Pen & ink. A5 sketchbook ©Sue Pownall 2010

The post that I am most proud of:

This has been the hardest one to think of, but I think it has to be my first ever post here back in September '09, as it was the first time I really put my work out there for all to see. An idea of my work.

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Finally, my 5 nominations/tags to take part are:

Writer, ceramists, advocate of simple living, owner of a gorgeous boutique B&B, and my friend: Diana of A Certain Simplicity.

Fabulous photographer & Italy correspondent: LindyLou at News from Italy.

Artist: Sandra of Sandraws.

American expats in Calabria: Doug & Di of Il Terrazzo Italiano.

New twitter pal, artist and jeweller: The Hyper Monkey

Decay series: Ruins 2 & 3

Ruin III, Pen & ink. 320 x 200mm. © Sue Pownall 2011

I have spent all day finishing these two drawings, however I cannot think of a title for Ruin 3. Any suggestions?

Both drawings will now sit for a couple of days, and may receive the odd tweek here and there, but I'm calling them finished now.

 Dunottar castle. Pen & ink. 320 x 200mm. © Sue Pownall 2011

Both original reference photographs by and used with permission from: D Flanagan.Thank you.

Celebrating my sale.

Propping up the bar. A6 sketchbook. Pen & ink. © Sue Pownall 2011

To celebrate the purchase of my latest finished piece (see this post if you missed the news) and collect the money from the buyer, 3 of us arranged to meet in our favourite bar. The others were delayed due to meetings, so whilst I sipped my drink slowly and waited, I did these sketches.

Friends. A6 sketchbook. Pen & ink. © Sue Pownall 2011

Roses on the table. A6 sketchbook. © Sue Pownall 2011

The vase of roses also count as my first Everyday Matters challenges in a while: No. 76 draw some flowers with No.293 draw something made of glass.