Introduce Yourself
Where do you live and what do you?
Have you done much sketching before or are you just starting?
What are your other creative pursuits?
Please include a link to your Flickr account, blog, Facebook page, Instagram, Tumblr etc.
So I’ll go first…
I’m Liz (I think you all know that!)
I live in Sydney, Australia. I’m an architect by profession and worked 20 years on a range of residential and commercial developments, specialising in media projects. I’ve always drawn as part of my work but in 2007 discovered watercolour and started my first daily sketchbook. I haven’t stopped sketching since!
I’m very interested in architectural history and theory and drinking tea out of fancy china teacups… but I’m guessing you all know that too!
You can find me on: Facebook, Flickr, Google+, Instagram and Twitter using the buttons under ‘Connect on Social Media’ in the footer of this website.
Now it’s your turn…
Hi, I am Trish. I live in a coastal town on the west coast of Australia. I have always been a stay-at-home-mum to four now grown up and left home children. I have a passion for making books and journals and would love to fill them with watercolour sketches…hopefully!
http://trishsweeneyttime.blogspot.com.au
Hi Trish. I’m also on the coast of Western Australia – in Geraldton. That makes two of us so far! I also love bookbinding and am hoping to learn to work in my journals with more spontaneity and less procrastination!
Fran.
Hi, I’m Cornelia and I live in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. I am 36 years old and work as a reference librarian at a small college.
Although I loved to draw as a child, I gave it up at around age 10-12. I got interested in drawing again after discovering Paul Soupiset’s Lentenblog several years ago, and then finding out about urban sketching, but I did not get around to actually following up on this interest until this June, when I moved to a four day work week to allow for better life-work balance. I have been slowly working through the exercises in the book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain (I’m only about halfway through) as well as taking a 10 week evening class called Drawing and Creative Expression (two more weeks left).
Hi I am Gerry and from Cape Cod in Massachusetts. I became a big fan of Liz Steele in Sketchbook Skool. I am looking forward to learning more about watercolor and pen and ink.
Hi, I’m Linda and I live in a small town west of Boston, Massachusetts. I’m fairly new to sketching, although I have done a bit of mixed media pieces. I taught for thirty- five years and now have more time to get involved in both drawing and photography. Ever since I signed up for this course I’ve been waiting for it to begin.
Welcome, Linda. We are in Acton, MA all the time for Speech and Debate classes. Perhaps we’ll have a chance to sketch together.
I grew up in Waltham, MA. In 1976 I drove my volks wagon to the west coast and have lived in Portland, OR ever since.
Hi, all. I’m Ellen. I live in Austin, Texas. I have been a frustrated artist my whole life. My favorite mediums are watercolor and pen and ink. Urban Sketching and sketchbooks are my new found passion. I started 2 years ago with a concerted effort to keep a sketchbook, learn new techniques and share my art. This class is one more step improve my skills, and stay motivated to paint and draw.
Hi, my name is Martine and I am from Montreal (Quebec, Canada). My 1st language is French. I am 60 and retired and now I can draw & paint anytime I want !
I mostly draw people and enjoy life drawing sessions. I always have a sketchbook in my bag and I sketch almost every day. I am scared of drawing buildings and, therefore, I have great hopes in this course of Liz (so much hopes on your shoulders, Liz;-)
My flickr account is: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mpaquet/
My blog is: http://martinepaquet.blogspot.ca/
Looking forward tomeet all of you in our flickr grou!
Hi I’m Diane and I live in Auckland, New Zealand. I have always been creative but didn’t draw or paint as a child so I’m trying to learn it as an adult. I’ve turned my hand to many things including jewellery making, calligraphy and book binding but I have a great love of illustrated journals. I’m really looking forward to learning in a structured way and hope it all sinks in.
Hi I’m Rita. I live in Mesquite, NV (about 2 1/2 years) prior lived in South Bend, In. I am 68 year old retired lady (loving it!!!!). My art experience started in the early 90’s after signing up for a watercolor class. Didn’t really get back to painting and drawing until I retired.Painting was truly painting pictures to give away to family…never just sketching or journaling. I have taken 3 SBS Klasses….love them. I truly excited to building “Foundations with LIZ” Let’s get going!!!
Hi!! I’m Wendi Wells. I’ve lived on the central coast of California nearly my entire life. I recently turned 41, I’ve been married for almost 22 years, and we have 3 sons who are attending the same university across the country in Missouri (a freshman, sophomore, and junior).
I have been a professional massage therapist with my own small, but thriving, private practice for about 15 years. As physically (and sometimes emotionally) demanding as my work can be I absolutely love it!! When I’m not massaging people I’m working at my husband’s cabinet shop. We work 7 days a week! I am also a part time care giver for my elderly mother.
I don’t remember exactly how I started sketch journaling, but I’ve been dabbling for quite a few years. I do remember that a big part of it was Cathy (Kate) Johnson’s book, Watercolor Pencil Magic. Unfortunately, I don’t do it everyday and I’m not as prolific as I’d like to be. But, I keep at it and try to sketch and journal when I can. I’d like to really work on developing a habit, and sketching quickly in the few moments I do get.
My other creative interests include aromatherapy, and black out/erasure poetry!
You can find me on Flickr and Instagram, as well as Facebook. I only have a website for my business: http://www.awaytbc.com
I’m so happy to be in this class!! Eeeee!!
Hi Wendi, I’d love to drive up your way and do some sketching along the coast! I’m in Santa Monica.
Best wishes,
Heather
Hi Heather! I love your enthusiasm!!
This is the first art class I’ve taken in 20 years and I’m excited about getting out an enjoying living in CA. My grandfather sketched in Big Sur and I’ve been inspired to do the same after looking through his portfolio recently.
Sounds like you have a busy life. This will be perfect for you!
I am in Santa Cruz… where are you?
Hi, I’m Kiyo. Living now in Houston, TX, after growing up and graduating from college in Honolulu, HI. I retired last May from an administrative job at a hospital. My house just sold, and I am in the process of moving to New Mexico. Anyway, one of the things I wanted to do when I retired is to learn to sketch with ink and watercolor, and eventually learn to paint with oils. I’ve been following Liz and Boromini for a long time, love her style of sketching and am excited to take this course.
My name is Jacqueline. Born and bred in London, England but have lived in America for 17 years. I currently live in southern California near the beach. I am an artist and have done some sketching but feel I could benefit from some guidance.
Hi Jacqueline,
I’m in Santa Monica and Claudiacat is in Redondo Beach. I’d love to have a meet up for one of the sketching assignments if we can arrange it! North Laguna Beach is on my list of places to go to sketch 🙂
All the best,
Heather
Hi Heather, I’m recovering from two car accidents so I don’t drive very far these days. However, Laguna beach is only a few miles away from me. I’d be happy to meet up if you make it down this way.
Welcome, Jacqueline from a fellow British person in the US.
Hello Paperblogging. How long have you been here? It’s been 17 years for me.
24 I think, a bit longer if you count time here as a student. Was back in London last spring for the first time in 24 years anyway. The profile pic was taken at the entrance to the British Museum, (sketchbook in hand.)
That is a long time to be away. I try to return every other year.
Jaqueline,
Oh, I’d been back to my hometown, just hadn’t returned to London in those years.
I’m a born and bred Londoner so afflicted with that well-known condition of thinking England revolves around the capital 🙂
Ha … well it sort of does! I love London and really miss it. Hoping to return next year for my wedding anniversary. Crazy expensive though.
Expensive is right. I hope to be there next year. Was supposed to visit this year but other events over took my plans. I have been remiss in asking you where in England are you from?
Sorry, only just found this message, Jaqueline. Actually I grew up in Norwich. Went to Uni in Exeter.
I’ve only been to Norfolk a couple of times and mainly on the coast. People I know tend to end up Suffolk. 🙂 I’ve been to Exeter several times and really liked the area around the cathedral. Plus the surrounding countryside. Though I have a preference for Cornwall.
Hi, I’m Gaynor. I have been living and working in Papua New Guinea for the last 8 years with Mission Aviation Fellowship. My husband, Irwin, is a pilot here. Currently, we’re based in Mt Hagen in the highlands but have also spent 3 years out west in a remote village … no roads, fly in or walk in. When we go ‘home ‘ it is to Canberra, Australia. We have 3 adult children. I am/was a librarian. I have been embroidering and sewing most of my life but wanted to branch out. I discovered Art Journalling but am more drawn to sketching and watercolour than other mediums. I have a lot to learn but that’s all part of why I joined the class.
Hi Gaynor, My Gran when she was alive was a great supporter of MAF and when I was young we used to host a missonary who adopted a child from PNG. I have always wanted to travel to PGN but my husband keeps vetoing it! i hope when you share sketches it will show a bit of PNG life!
Helen Conway
Hi Gaynor…….you arrived in PNG as I left. I was there in Ukarumpa teaching in the High School Campus and taught a number of MAF kids……it’s a very small world!
Hi, I’m Pam and I live on Orcas Island, a small island of the northwest coast of Washington State in the United States. I am a retired musician and a retired registered nurse. I started sketching with the first class in Sketchbook Skool last winter. This is the first drawing or sketching I’ve done and I’ve discovered that I love it. I really enjoyed the week Liz did in Sketchbook Skool, so I’m looking forward to this course a lot.
Hi Pam. I live in Anacortes. We have a sketching group that meets on Monday afternoons. Check out our blog, anacortes sketchers. Blogspot.com and join us sometime!
Hi Missy. Thanks for the info and the invite. I wish it weren’t an all day trip, but if I can ever get over there on a Monday, I’ll let you know and see what’s up. I would love to come sketching with you.
Hi, I am Cathy, and I live just outside of Chicago, Illinois (USA). I am a semi-retired Humanities professor determined to make drawing a regular part of my life. However, I still seem to need a HUGE kick in the butt! Any volunteers?
Hi Cathy,
I live outside Chicago and also need a well-placed boot. I work a flex schedule, so it is hard to plan very far in advance, but let’s try. We will definitely be sketching indoors for the next 12 weeks – and longer! Send me an email: cyd1057@yahoo.com.
Hi, Cyd and Cathy,
Another Chicago suburbanite here. I joined this class, in part, to get that extra push that comes from working with others towards the same goal.
Look forward to seeing your work.
I live in west Michigan and dream of being a retired professor (soon soon). If you Chicagoans meet up and it isn’t snowing too badly around the bottom of Lake Michigan, count me in!
Hello, I’m Beth from just outside of Holland, Michigan, USA. I earn my living as a college creative writing professor, which I have done for nearly 30 years. I live in the woods near Lake Michigan with my partner, a German Shepherd dog, a Dutch shepherd dog, two cats and a variety of wildlife. I grew up the only one in my family who “couldn’t draw.” So I never really tried. A few years ago, because of a lifelong interest in comics, I began to draw figuring I could learn at least enough to sketch out comic storyboards…and I’ve been working on my drawing ever since. I’ve been in all three semesters of Sketchbook Skool, which is where I “met” Liz and so many other wonder teachers and sketchers. I also do photography, music, some hand-drumming and creative writing–I have a mystery series under the pen name Josie Gordon–but lately all I want to do is draw. Happy to be working with so many people from so many different places
Hi, I’m Carmel I live in the small town of Lyons, in Oregon, USA. However, I am an Aussie who was born in Sydney, Australia. I spent many Sundays on Cronulla Beach. I love art, it has been weaving it’s way through my life. I am now retired. I have tried lots of different media. I like to move about. Sketchbooks make sense, so many different types of media to work in. Just perfect for someone like me. No more getting the perfect photo to work from. It is all there…just in front of me. I was very excited when I found out Liz was teaching in Sketchbook Skool. I want more…so here I am.
I’m in Portland — You are pretty close!
I am in Hillsboro, Oregon. Close to both areas. :o)
Hopefully as the course progresses we can get together in person!
That would be fun! :o)
Hi Jenny,
I live in Belair. Are you nearby?
Clarisa
Hi Clarisa, I live in Highgate, which is fairly closely,
Amanda
I’m Carol and I live in Brisbane, Australia. I moved here from South Africa four years ago. I trained as an art teacher but did many other things, including garden landscaping, book illustration and owning a family retail store.
Thankfully I sold my shares in the business to my son and moved here with the aim of making my living from art.
It’s a been an interesting and challenging experience but Australia has been good to me. I teach in my home studio and paint – my own work as well as undertaking commissions of all sorts.
http://www.carolleebeckx.com
http://www.carolleebeckx.blogspot.com.au
http://www.facebook.com/CarolLeeBeckxArtist
And I love Instagram @CAROLBKX
Hi Carol , I am from Durban South Africa, and heading out to Brisbane next week to visit my son
Carol it is nice finding some one else from South Africa here! I am from Cape Town in SA!
Hi, I’m Pat. I live on Whidbey Island in the Puget Sound, Washington state, USA – a very rural area! I’ve taken a couple of online sketching classes and am looking forward to this one because I’ve admired Liz’s work for a long time. I like the idea of a concept class.
I have a few friends that live on Whidbey!
Hi Pat, My artist daughter lives in Port Townsend. Also on a boat in Ballard some of the time. I love the area. So different from the East Coast where I live.
Hi Pat. I’m wondering if you are the Pat I know that sketches with WISK. I live in Anacortes.
Hi, I’m Anna and I live in Maui, Hawaii. I am a horticulturist that works with rare native plants. I have drawn and painted most of my life and experiment with various media. I am looking forward to Liz’s sketching class. Nice to meet everyone.
Rare native plants would be fascinating to work with! Do you paint and/or sketch them?
Hi I’m Jenny, I live in Adelaide Australia. I now call myself an Art Student after a long career in education. I work mainly in sculpture, but all forms of art interest me. I did a watercolour sketching workshop earlier this year and want to explore this technique a lot more. You can see some of the sculpture works that the group I am involved with does at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Union-St-Sculptors/746400132067109
Cheers
Jenny
Fascinating stuff Jenny, thanks for sharing the link!
Hi Jenny, Amanda here, I live in Adelaide and have been painting for about 8 yrs mostly in oils. I discovered Liz’s sketch blog when researching how to sketch whilst travelling and love it. I did a watercolour workshop earlier this year too. I wonder if our paths have ever crossed? Because the tools are light and simple I’m sketching a bit at lunchtime in the city
I live in northern California but my husband and I are planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand. We are planning a visit to Adelaide so I can go to Beating Around the Bush at Country Bumpkin. Maybe we can sketch together next fall.
Hello, I’m Chantal. I live in Sydney, Australia and have had the great luck and joy of learning things from Liz in a few workshops over the past 2 years. I’m looking forward to a lot of fun, motivation and inspiration in this class!
My name is Martha and I live in Virginia, but I am originally from California. I have always loved architecture and drawing buildings. I am particularly interested in ecclesiastical architecture. It has been many years since I have sketched with any regularity so I am looking forward to getting back into it.
I work full time and spend much of my free time playing with fabrics creating quilts. That has been NY primary artistic endeavor.
I also love art history — particularly western Christian art. I teach religious education in my parish and use great art as the basis for many lessons.
Hi. I live in Germantown, Maryland in the USA. I am a retired registered nurse and new to sketching. I have been following the Urban Sketcher groups for awhile now and I am so looking forward to this course with you Liz. Nice to meet all of you.
Hi, I’m Diane from Pennsylvania in the USA. II took up sketching (which I had always wanted to do but thought I couldn’t) a few years ago (after reading Danny’s book “The Creative License.”) Although I consider myself a beginner I have been a beginner for a few years.
I have loved Danny’s books and Sketchbook Skool where I came across a lovely lady who paints teacups and will now be teaching me concepts.
Really looking forward to these classes and trying to figure out when Wednesday actually starts….
Hi Diane from Pennsylvania, USA. This is Patty from Pennsylvania. I am also a Sketchbook Skool Skolar. Nice to meet you!
Hi Patty, I’m in State College if you ever get up this way…
I somehow had an email address for my name – changed now – Patty Ruthe. I live in the Reading area.
Hi Patty, I’m in Royersford. Not too far from you.
Hi Diane and Patty,
I’m from PA also! I live near Pittsburgh. So nice to meet you both.
I was in Sketchbook Skool also (all 3 semesters).
Angela Vular
Too bad PA is not smaller so we could try a sketch meetup sometime. But glad to meet you all.
Hi
I’m Patty an live in Perth Australia. I am an Obstetric an and Gynaecologist.
I started watercolour painting about a year ago and enjoy it but my passion is travelling and photography and I thought travel journaling would be a good way to combine these passions. I normally get to travel abroad twice a year so this will be a fantastic way to keep my memories alive.
Hi Patty,
Fantastic to know that there is a sketcher enthusiast that lives near by. Like you I would love to get better at travel journaling. We travelled the Canning Stock Route this year and I religiously wrote in my journal every night. but found sometimes I was too slow to do my sketches. So here I am…..Fun times, much to learn. Great to meet you
Cerena
Hi, I’m Clarisa, I was born in Peru have lived in and out of Australia since I was 18. My husband and I are now 63 and next April we are going to Italy for a month. I have traveled a lot and have always taken photos, but this time I decided I want sketch. My family are all very artistic and I have been exposed to discussions regarding their efforts many times, but I can count the number of drawings I have done in my life on my hands. One of my room in a boarding in Peru when I was 12, one of a plaza in a lovely little town, Villa de Leiva in Columbia, 5 in the little sketchbook I bought this last October, and 3 that I did on Monday (the 3 pre-instruction drawings from Betty Edwards’ book. That is all, well, that I can remember! Since early October, and my decision to learn to sketch, I have discovered, Urban Sketchers and Sketching Skool and found Liz !! and I am enthralled. My husband is a water engineer and although he can draw buildings etc for work he has no interest in doing it himself, so he will stick to his camera and I to my paper and pencils! But he is incredibly supportive of my new interest. And that makes me happy too.
Hi I’m Marie. I live in the UK in Liverpool. I work full time in local government. I love art and I have been drawing and painting off and on for the last few years but in some ways still feel like a beginner. I have recently been participating in Sketchbook Skool 1,2 and 3 which I loved. I want to develop my confidence particularly in sketching outdoors and when travelling. At the moment I am only on Facebook.
Hi Marie. I live in Manchester, not so far away …and I know there is yet another person in Manchester signed up for this course. We both belong to Manchester Urban Sketching group and Yorkshire Urban Sketchers. Might be nice to meet up sometime and share experiences as we go through this course
Hi Anne! It’s good to hear from you. That sounds like a great idea!
Hi Marie, I’m the other Manchester sketcher that Anne mentioned. Would be really nice to get together and share at some point.
Hi Lucie. Good to meet you too. Yes that would be great.
Hi Lucie. Sounds good to me!
I am in St. Helens and work in Liverpool. If a meet up is on the cards can I come and play?!!
Of course! All the more the merrier!
Hello from the South West! The North is obviously the place to be for sketchers in the UK! I’m in Bristol, and a friend and I are trying to get a USk group in action here and finding it hard going! II would be lovely to chat with you ladies, at some stage.
Warm wishes
Jules
http://needleandpen.blogspot.co.uk/
Jules, I think you are my nearest sketching neighbour so far!
Good evening,
I am Roberto from Milan, Italy but currently living and working as a teacher in Manchester, a born again sketcher after many years. Please let me know if you meet up.
All good wishes.
Roberto
Hi Roberto are you aware of the Manchester Urban Sketchers Group? Open to all and this Sunday we are meeting at 2.00pm at Sports City. Look for Manchester Urban Sketchers on Facebook.
“A born again sketcher”, I love it 🙂
Hi Maggie, Waving from across the Severn! What a fantastic place to live. You won’t be lacking for inspiration in beautiful Pembrokeshire!
Good evening Anne,
Thank you for the prompt. Yes, I was aware of the MUS. I shall have a look on FB. Thank you. Roberto
Hey Jules! I hope you spot this I have just enrolled and spotted you here too. So Sharon B from Canberra waving like crazy with a big silly grin on my face.
Hee hee, I have now! Glad you are here and waving back, whilst doing the happy dance!
Hi
My name is Claudia and I live in Redondo Beach California. I was born in Rio de Janeiro and raized in Israel. I have lived in the USA longer then any where else.
I have been painting and drawing since I was a child but only in the last few years have made time to draw more often.
Looking forward to improving my skills
Hi Claudia,
I’m in Santa Monica… let’s get together at least once for an LA sketching outing, if possible.
All the best,
Heather
Hi , I’m Ghislaine, I live in France near Paris. i draw since 2008 and make painting with watercolor. I would like to learn better technic to draw faster outside.
ghislaine
Hi Ghislaine,
Great to have someone from Paris doing the course. I live in Hobart Tasmania Australia, I will be in Paris in July next year for the first time looking forward to it.
Hi Jane,
I live at St Helens near Binalong Bay.
The world is getting smaller hey.
I love Hobart. I visit there a few times each year to see family. I always take a sketch pad but never sketch so hoping this course will change that. X
My name is Willy. I’m Dutch, but I live in Spain (Europe) on one of the Canary Islands, Tenerife. I started drawing 8 months ago. Never too old to learn something new (I’m 68 now). Never draw teacups or buildings so I can learn a lot!
You can find me on Facebook, Flickr, Pinterest and on my blog: willyanderson.blogspot.com.
Willy, I love your MDL journal pages. What a great idea.
Thanks!
You are nearly as old as I am! Looking forward to learning new things…’old dogs’ can learn new tricks;)