#14 - Revealing Character with Don Colley
In this issue, I share some thoughts from #inktober, and the latest episode of the SneakyArt Podcast. It is a conversation about the role of art to depict both beautiful and ugly reality, with my friend and Chicago-based artist, Donald Owen Colley.
#Inktober
#Inktober is a month-long challenge to draw/sketch (using ink) for a few minutes every day of October. People across skill-levels do this challenge, drawing from prompts or as per their choice. Here are some scenes from my #inktober, all drawn with fountain pens.
On the terrace of the building across the street, a handyman puts together a patio, interrupted but ultimately undeterred by sporadic rainfall.
Catching the view outside Gallery Cafe on W North Ave, where my SneakyArt prints are currently on display.
How I am found on many pandemic evenings.
Scenes from the couch.
To see SneakyArt as it happens, follow me on Instagram.
“Ep 5 - Revealing Character with Donald Owen Colley”
Five episodes! Wow. I mean. This is fun.
In the latest episode of the SneakyArt Podcast, I speak with Chicago-based artist Don Colley about location drawings and sketch-reportage. I am pleased to say that Don is a good friend and we have gone drawing together many times. Every time we get together to draw, we talk about all kinds of things. This episode is also a bit like that.
Through his art Don shares different facets of urban life that pique his curiosity. I ask him about the ways in which he finds character and beauty in his surroundings, while not shying away from the ugly aspects of our world.
Scene from a court case in which Don went to draw. We cover it in the conversation.
Listen to the conversation on your choice of streaming service.
You can find the show-notes, catch related links and read a transcript at www.sneakyartist.com/podcast.
“KOLKATA, Park Street” Ink Commission
I made an ink drawing of the lively Park Street in Kolkata. This piece was made with a fountain pen on an 8x10” art-board for a client in New York.
Timelapse video!
The first draft (below) was rejected for being too focused on the building.
First draft
Final piece, featuring a street-side bookseller, puchkawala, Music World, Flury’s and Peter Cat, as well as some school students.
This is part of a set of three ink drawings I am completing on commission. Each one is being drawn with fountain pen using archival ink, on professional quality 8x10” artboards. The next one is a scene in Connaught Place (New Delhi).
Thank you for reading
… and let’s do this again next week.
“Live by the harmless untruths that make you brave and kind and healthy and happy.”
- Kurt Vonnegut, Cat’s Cradle (1963).