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…
suek
I’m Susan and live in Sydney, Australia. Am a retired Interior Designer with a passion for the visual arts. Have gone to various art classes over the years, mainly drawing and watercolour. Love making my own cards with collage. I enjoy travelling both in Australia and belatedly overseas (am a bit of a francophile) and take many photos, but would like to do more travel sketching. Hope that this course gives me the confidence and skill to sketch ‘in-situ’ rather than just from photos.
Hi, I’m Annee. I retired 10 years ago from a career as a graphic designer and design teacher. I also made a sea-change from the city to the country, and live in Coffs Harbour, halfway between Sydney and Brisbane, Australia. I became a designer because I loved drawing, but 25 years of my career was spent on the computer! I loved it all, but want to rediscover pen, paint and paper – and spontaneity! My other interests are birdwatching, architecture (2 in the family), bookbinding and sewing. I’m thrilled to be part of this class with Liz as teacher. http:www.flickr.com/photos/annee_artist
I mean http://www.flickr.com/photos/annee_artist
Hello Annee – I just looked through your flickr page and was thrilled to see sketches of many familiar places. I live in the US now, but my parents lived in Coffs and Grafton for many years, my sister lived near Bellingen and my family had a beach house at Red Rock. Keep those north coast sketches coming!
– Laurie
(I’m also an ex-graphic designer.)
Hi Laurie, I just found your post! The Coffs coast and Grafton are beautiful places to live, glad to keep those memories alive for you. I grew up in Canberra, so this climate and scenery are always a source of wonder to me. My best friend from schooldays and my cousin live in the US. Lots of dramatic and beautiful scenery there too.
There is indeed lots of beautiful scenery here too, but I miss Australia. Here’s a quick sketch I did on a Clarence River tour boat when I was a the Grafton High School centenary a few years ago. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lauriewigham/7430416862/in/set-72157630260331384/
And here’s one that I did standing on the headland at Red Rock, looking south towards Corindi. https://www.flickr.com/photos/lauriewigham/8114331526/
Hi, I’m Susan from Vancouver, Canada. I’ve been drawing and painting since I discovered Danny Gregory’s Creative License a few years ago. I’ve also discovered the Vancouver Urban Sketchers and get together for a group sketch when I can find the time. I’ve also done a couple of Sketchbook Skool Klasses. When I’m not sketching, I work as and ESL teacher for newcomer adults to Canada, I play the fiddle (badly but enthusiastically), I like to sing and wilderness camp. I’ve spent the past 20 years raising my now teen girls with my husband. Life is getting a little less busy now the girls are nearly grown so I’m looking forward to even more sketching! Bring it on, Liz!
Oh I forgot to mention my blog seeitsketchit.blogspot.ca
It is mostly for my mom and sister to see what I am up to but anyone is welcome to have a peek.
Hello everybody! My name is Heather. I grew up in Maine and live in Santa Monica, California with my husband, dog and two bunny rabbits. My grandfather was a commercial artist who loved to draw landscapes en plein air. He gave me sketch books, pencils, chalks and other “real” artist’s tools every year for Christmas and I filled them up with drawings. I went to one year of art school with thoughts of becoming an art therapist, but got very discouraged and went into business in the interior design field as a purchasing agent. I design and knit (heatherroses on ravelry) and garden. I started keeping a sketch journal in 2009, inspired by Geninne.com. I take my watercolors to paint when I travel, which isn’t often enough, so I joined this class.
Hi, I’m Jenni and I live in Newcastle, Australia. It sure is interesting to read all the posts and realise what a global site it is. I have always loved painting and drawing but the drawing skills need loosening up! I love Liz’ approach to architectural drawing and aim to use this class in losing inhibitions about sketching and painting outdoors.
Checked on notify me – sorry guys I’ll read your comments here so opting out of follow up comments… 🙂
I’m Tania, I live in Brisbane, Australia. I attend weekly art class, working mainly in acrylics. I also did Sketchbook Skool 1 which I really enjoyed, I am now so looking forward to learning from Liz. Sketching is just such a wonderful form of self expression to me, I try to always have a sketchbook in my handbag when I go out to capture the day or a moment.
Hi, I’m Heather and I live in Northern California, surrounded by redwood trees, near Eureka. I have just started drawing this year. I’ve been married for 17 years and have four beautiful children. In addition to drawing, I love knitting, sewing, gardening, and reading books. I can’t wait to start this class. I love the idea of recording my daily life with sketching. You can find me on flickr under the name: h.hodge97 and on instagram under the name: heatherh2020
Hi! I’m Kathie from Chicago ~ I’ve been an artist all my life thanks to my mom and dad and was lucky enough to be surrounded by art supplies most of my life. I think I still have them all … and more! Was an illustrator/designer, then mom, then a painter of pastel portraits and plein air oil landscapes. I’ve been teaching pastels at the historically wonderful Old Town Art Center and recently became reacquainted with watercolor when the asked to teach a class. I feel as if I’ve come home ~ though I still love pastels and oils. Spent a bit of time last winter in Manly and Sydney while my son worked and surf boated there for a year. LOVE Australia and wish I was with you in person for your classes there, Liz! So looking forward to the next 12 weeks of study!
Hi! I’m Holly. I live in Jakarta Indonesia. My passion is fashion and art. I have done some fashion illustrations, and posted them on instagram @avecholly. I would like to improve my sketch, mostly I work in photoshop. Hoping I can learn watercolor techniques, drawing buildings and able to sketch faster.
Hi, I’m Penny. I live in Mill Valley which is just north of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California. I have been retired for four years and now have time to spend time with my family and my therapy- trained dog, Lulu. I love all things Italian (my husband and I spend 6 weeks in Orvieto every year) including speaking Italian. I am really looking forward to learning some skills that will enrich my time in the places I love!
Hi I am ellen in san diego but most recently Sausalito…and i love orvieto!!!
i forgot to mention that though I live in Boston in the US, I was born in Australia, in Armidale, NSW, and grew up in Norwich in the UK … I come from everywhere.
I’m Michelle. I live in Boston, USA and homeschool my kids. Four at home still, two adult children, one little granddaughter. But that makes me sound older than I feel! I’m 46.
I’ve been drawing all my life. Absolutely love architecture and architectural theory so am looking forward to learning more about sketching buildings. I used to work for a newspaper and in publishing, have sold used books, am a bibliophile and have been sketchbooking about six years ago. So much more to learn.
I blog at http://www.paperblogging.com where I write stories for, by and about sketchbookers, as well as give hints on how to get started sketchbooking for people who think they absolutely can’t. You can find me on Facebook under Michelle Geffken, and on Twitter and Pinterest under Paperblogging. Flickr account to come.
Hi Michelle, your paperbloggingnsite looks really nice! I also found you on Pinterest 🙂
I am Liezl from Cape Town xx
Thanks,, Liezl! The blog is recent startup and I’m really enjoying it. Took a class in London with the Gentle Author of Spitalfieldslife.com back in the Spring. One of the best things I ever did.
I live in the Southeast USA and am a newbie of 2 years to drawing and watercolor beginning upon my retirement from Clinical Administrative work in Healthcare. I have had no formal art training but have had a fun beginning with Draw Everyday in May, Brenda Swansons 75 Day Ink Drawing twice, Inktober 30 Day Draw, and Sketchbook Skool 2 and 3. I have always enjoyed photography and overload the computers capacity often……love the cloud. For 37 years, I have enjoyed creating crafts for children’s ministry so have lengthy experience with crayons and colored markers. Yes, I too love tea but mostly iced. Oh, ……..and so I don’t sit to much drawing and such, I love to walk and roll the ball on a ten pen bowling league. Now let’s draw and paint!!
Hi, I’m Sandi. I live in Wandin East, Victoria, Australia. I have written all my life; only now and again toying with a pencil or a bit of paint. For the past 5 years I have been a social member of the Mt Evelyn and Yarra Valley Art Society. Through this group I was inspired to read how-to books, and attended a couple of workshops. In the art books they are always telling you to ‘have fun’. This is never told to a writer, not in all of my experience anyway. So I am here to doodle a little bit more with my pencil, and to have fun.
I’m Dawn from San Jose California. I’m a fashion stylist with CAbi. I’ve been a scrapbooker for at least 20 years, but I’ve recently discovered a love for sketching and watercolor. I took an travel art journaling class and practiced on my travels to Sweden and Hawaii. I love to draw architecture and landscapes, but have a fear of sketching people! I’m looking forward to this class! You can find me on Facebook at Dawn Bozarth-Independant CAbi Consultant.
I am a senior living at The Redwoods in Mill Valley, California. I started watercolor at the age of 60, almost 20 years ago. Keeping a watercolor journal is a joy and delight for me. I have been doing this since 2005 when I took a workshop. Now, I lead a group 2 Tuesdays a month called the Watercolor Journal Group. We go out to a pretty place and do a page. We have been doing this for 6 years. I have had no formal training or art background. This has not kept me for loving to learn and grow. You can teach an old dog new tricks.
Here is my flickr page
https://www.flickr.com/photos/maoma3/
Hi Elizabeth, I enjoyed your flickr page. You are inspiring!
I’m Larry, I live in Philadelphia, and I’m a76 year old retired Architect. One reason I became an Architect was my love of drawing. Over the years computers and my role in the practice pushed drawing to the back shelf. After retiring I pursued photography, but became restless: too much computer time, too much left brain. Then about 8 months ago, I rediscovered drawing and watercolor; nothing has been the same since. I’m looking forward to expanding my vision and my capacity to capture the life that surrounds me.
Bravo, Larry, for exploring new interests and especially moving into watercolors and sketching!
I am Peggy Herrick and I live on a small island in the Gulf of Mexico off the northern part of Florida in the U.S. Two of my friends who live in Gainesville, 55 miles to the northeast, are also in this Foundations Course. I have sketched most of my life and have kept a journal, which I call a journey daybook, for about 28 years.
I was recently in Paraty, Brazil at the last Urban Sketchers symposium and met scores of inspiring people, like Liz. Since September, I have been following blogs and Facebook posts in my lifelong attempt to improve my sketching skills. Taking this course was a no-brainer for me! Thanks, Liz!
Hi Peggy! Now we are four – you, STJ and DF are having such a good experience in the Foundations Course that I had to join. I’ll be lagging behind for a while but in time will catch up.
I will be happy to help you as much as I can.
Hi, I’m Irena and I live in Southern California high desert. I’m a retired Marriage and Family Therapist. I’ve been painting in watercolor for over 15 years mostly from photo’s from my travels. I want to get over my fear of drawing in public. I’ve been following Liz’s blog for a while now, and after taking her class this past summer at Sketchbook Skool, I knew I had to sign up for this foundation class.
Hi, I am Debi from Tallahassee, Florida. I homeschool my two teens and sneak in sketching every chance I get. I love sketching old churches and nature and my pets, even people on occasion. I am very excited about this class and can’t wait until tomorrow.
I am Ricky and am excited to be here in the sketching foundations course! I live near San Jose in the Santa Cruz Mountains of California. I have taken art and sketching classes off and on again for many years, starting with watercolor Fall trees when I was in Kindergarten! Now I am retired and want to sketch regularly. Planning to travel and do travel journals! I also quilt and love nature sketching. I am on Facebook.
Hello, all. I’m Susan, and I live in Colorado in the U.S. I love that there are people from all over involved in this class. I am an oral historian and have run a program in oral history for our library for nearly 18 years, but next week I am turning the management of the program over to a new person. I still will be working but less and in a more focused way with, I hope, less pressure and more time for things like drawing and travel. I never drew until middle age, and though I have been drawing and painting in watercolor for a while now, I still feel very much the beginner. Perhaps I will always be a beginner, but I do enjoy the process, so maybe that’s okay. I do have a flickr site with a variety of work–pen and ink, watercolor, mixed media, abstract pieces, and travel journal pages–at https://www.flickr.com/photos/takinganotherlook/sets/
Hi SusanB,
Happy to see another Coloradoan. I also work in a library. Thanks for sharing your Flickr link — really nice pieces.
Sharon
Hello, I’m Rachabodin and I live in Thailand. I’m interested in Photography, Art and History. I started painting in watercolour since 2010 but I am a beginner to Drawing and Sketching. I am looking forward to learning and developing more about sketching.
My flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/rachabodin/
My blog: http://rachabodin.com/
Hello, I’m Karen from Rochester, New York. I’m a retired elementary and special education teacher. I just started drawing this summer during a semester in Sketchbook Skool. That’s how I found Liz. I’ve worked my way through a Learn to Draw book as well, and am beginning to see some improvement. I never had any art instruction growing up, but have been a paper crafter (card maker and scrapbooker) for over 20 years, and an enthusiastic photographer for the last 15 years or so. I’m hoping to learn enough to keep not only a daily sketchbook, but also one when I’m traveling. I’m really looking forward to this course! You can find me on my blog (www.kbwalker.blogs.com), on Facebook (Karen Walker) and on Flickr (Karen1448).
I am Kay French, Ellie Segal’s good friend. I live in Portland Oregon and am happy to see other Pacific Northwesterners are enrolled as well. Look at all the people all over the world who say “I want to draw!” All I can say is “Me too!!!”
Hi Kay — I’m in NW Portland, you?
I see from your post you are an Urban Sketcher. Do you go to the sketchcrawls with the Portland group?
I’d like to and I am signed up but I never get the notices. Not sure why. This summer we were doing a job in Olympia so I was not here for two of them tho. My email is dbdcat@aol.com.
Hi my name is Rishi Kaneria. I was born in London, England, but I am currently a Creative Director living in Atlanta, GA.
I sketched a lot during my youth but somewhere along the line digital art kind of took over. Recently I’ve been trying to get back in touch with traditional media and in particular keeping a visual journal.
I have many creative outlets: writing, music, photography, art, but in the past few years my main focus has been video/film and you can find my work on Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/rishikaneria I’ve been lucky enough to have had 2 staff picks on Vimeo and just over 2 million views across my 7 videos.
Cheers!
Rishi
Hi! I’m Jessica.
I live in Concord, California and am taking a few years off from construction management to care for my two little boys. I’ve been drawing all my life but since this past July, I’ve been drawing or painting every day. It’s making me a happier person and I hope to keep it up. So excited to be doing this class!
My Flickr drawings are here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jessicanales/
My infrequently updated blog is here: http://jessicacanales.com/
Hi Jessica, Nice to see you here.
Hello, I’m Mike and I live in Roanoke Virginia USA. I’ve worked in local government in the public safety communications sector for almost 30 years. Time for a change as I retire at the end of the year. I’ve always loved art, most any kind, but pen and ink is what I like best. Looking forward to learning and seeing everyone’s ideas and work. I’m glad I found this class looking forward to something new.
Hi Mike,
Thanks for your service. Congratulations on your retirement.
All the best!
Hi,
I’m Ros from Albany, Western Australia and am excited to be joining this group.I work part time in a framing shop. I have always dabbled in art but mainly paint from photos. I really want to speed up my sketching and get away from obsessive details. My blog is here http://rosjenke.wordpress.com/
Hi Ros, great to hear from you 🙂
Cerena