FAVA Sketch Challenge Experience
What an intensive and fun 4 days in Quidi Vidi representing Newfoundland & Labrador in the Atlantic Visual Arts Festival (FAVA) Sketch Challenge. Want my sketchbook? Make me an offer!
I spent over 35 hours drawing in the Christ Church Airbnb, in the village, on the clifftops and at the lake, – 5 sketches a day in all sorts of lighting & weather conditions.
As soon as I’d completed a sketch, I’d email it to the Festival and they’d post it on their Facebook Page, sharing my stories & videos too,
As you’ll see in this 13-minute video, there were several memorable moments:
- discovering a 2nd keyhole in the intricate bedroom lock
- finding a dry spot inside the Quidi Vidi Plantation
- sketching in the dark during 4-hour sunrise time-lapse filming (very freeing!)
- 60-90km/hr winds on top of the cliffs and at the lake, causing great splatters and stray marks on blowing pages
- holding back on eating my blueberry harvest before sketching it
- not holding back on the Mallard Cottage chocolate cake … and therefore not drawing it
- pacing around a concrete island 100 times while time-lapsing the sunset over Quidi Vid Lake
- all the head bobbing needed when sketching via observation – something I hadn’t done in 6 years!
- spending another 3 nights in the Christ Church Airbnb – thanks to my sponsors Gordon Martin & the owners!
Letting Go of Ego
If you saw my introduction post, I was honoured to be invited to represent my province and also a bit nervous. Yes, I accepted the challenge and was excited about it.
But I also felt like a kindergarten child on a very public stage doing something I wasn’t used to doing.
Unlike the other 3 Atlantic artists whose daily offerings showed distinctive artistic styles and superb sketching skills, I played with all sorts of mediums and styles, making all sorts of mistakes.
I confess, I felt the imposter syndrome kick in that first day, but didn’t like how it felt, so gave that up. Yay!
My Higher Self quickly reminded me not to compare myself – as so many do on Facebook in all sorts of areas. I certainly saw the danger of that.
From the start, I had to let go of ego, not caring what people thought of my sketches or wonder if anyone was questioning my worthiness as a representative for NL.
My job was to sketch and hopefully to inspire others to give it a try, seeing how I went about exploring subjects, styles, and tools.
So that’s what I did – some sketches taking 2 hours and others 20 minutes.
I had fun, and ended each day tired and aware of all I was learning on so many levels.
Interestingly, the easiest to draw, psychologically speaking, were the ones in the dark as I was waiting for the sun to rise. This was closer to how I paint from what I see with my eyes closed – less details, more feeling, more energy. Very freeing!
Sketchbook For Sale
This is no ordinary sketchbook! Within its 20 pages, you’ll witness an evolution, a process, a healing energy of exploration & expression.
If something moves you to want this sketchbook, email me at [email protected] with an offer. It’s still up for grabs.
Which is your favourite and why? Please comment below.
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