Every year, when the air warms up and the days grow longer, I find myself pedalling the city streets in search of inspiration. Cruising along Queen on my tiny orange bicycle, I survey the sidewalk for a scene that begs to be drawn.
You know those days when you can't bear to be inside? This summer I've had many like this. So many, in fact, that I've neglected to share them with you! Well, as the days grow shorter and darker in the cool nights of mid August, I feel more inclined to stay home and share what, to me, has been a great summer of sketchbook drawing. Here's what I've been up to!
I was invited to draw at Enwave Theatre during the warmup for The Dietrich Group's stunning dance performance Paris 1994/Gallery. I hadn't been to this particular theatre since I was a kid attending summer plays on the weekend, so it was pretty cool to revisit the space after all these years. Quietly, I took a seat in the second row while the Choreographer pawed over his notes, and the dancers ran through a series of stretches onstage.
Afterwards, as the audience began to trickle in, a cleaning boy pushed around a long, noodly mop dripping with soap.
As requested, I didn't draw during the show (it's a small theatre, so it could have been distracting), but once the lights went up I sketched during the Q&A session. When asked about the provocative nature of his show and the public reaction to it, the Choreographer cheekily replied, "I get people's panties in a knot because I'm quite... sexual!"
On another day, I biked to the Brickworks for some snacking and drawing at the inaugural Street Food Block Party, a collaboration between Food Truck Eats and the ever-popular Toronto Underground Market. With all those lineups for food, there was plenty of time to draw while balancing a plate of fish tacos in the other hand.
Then, there were those times where I commuted to Hamilton for animation work by GO Bus. It was my first time there, and I found the bus terminal fascinating. You know, Hamilton is actually pretty charming once you give it a chance!
Two of my friends got hitched this summer, so of course I drew at their wedding. Sure, they had an awesome professional photographer, but drawings are pretty cool to have as well, don't you think?
The wedding party anticipates the moment.
At the reception, one of my friends checks out his neighbour. It's a bonafide wedding tradition!
At TAAFI, the brand-spanking-new animation festival in Toronto, I sat in on a panel about Indie Animation. The cross section of talent was very interesting, there were some Directors who I've heard of, and others who were completely new to me. These two were seated straight ahead, so I drew them the most.
Later, I went to this interesting workshop with 90's animation legend John Kricfalusi, creator of Ren and Stimpy. I always love to learn about other people's creative processes, so it was really cool to try hammering out a gag sequence using his technique.
The room was broken up into groups where everybody brainstormed an original story through drawing and writing. I quickly realized that I wasn't cut out for this style of comedy, so I decided to skip the fart jokes and sketch everyone else instead.
After weeks of reading about Shakespeare in the Park, the man and I decided to check it out. In front of us sat the sweetest older couple. I think the picture tells the story.
Another time, while cutting through Trinity Bellwoods, I spotted the perfect picnic table for drawing. Unfortunately, another girl also spotted the perfect picnic table, but in her case it was for a meeting. So we both decided there was room for everyone, and we all took a seat. They were meeting to discuss some arty play about existentialism and things I don't understand, because I went to Animation school instead of OCAD. She puffed on a joint and I sat and drew her, which was actually rather enjoyable.
Summer's not over yet! More to come...
