Tuesday 8 March 2011

Drawing at Dinner



On Friday night I got back from a really fun couple of days in Liverpool - thank you for having me Whitefield Primary. Some smashing little illustrators!


I stayed in the rather swish Jury's Inn hotel, which was lovely and right in the middle of things, but the one big drawback to visits that require an overnight stay, is having to eat dinner all on your own.


It was an especially grim prospect on Thursday night, as I had started to come down with a cold as soon as I arrived in school and so by the evening was feeling a little sorry for myself.


I spent ages trying to find the right place: somewhere I could snuggle into; a place where I would feel comfortable and not stick out like a sore thumb.


I eventually spotted a large, but somehow still cosy Italian place called Gusto. They tried to sit me off in a corner (why do they always do that when you're alone?) but I insisted on being more central, so I could sit with my little sketchbook and draw what was going on around me.

I sketched before my meal, with a nice glass of red wine in hand...


and in-between courses...


...and then after my food had been gobbled up:



Drawing passed the time beautifully, gave me a lovely, full sketchbook and completely took my mind off my sore throat and aching head.


It's a funny thing - the last thing you'd think you need when you are unwell, is to spend the entire day on your feet, entertaining and enthusing groups of primary children. Yet, strangely, the task can sometimes be so all-encompassing, that you simply don't have time to remember to feel ill!


So, apart from the occasional hanky-stop, I coped fine on the Friday too. The kids drew their socks off and kept me totally distracted, so it wasn't until I got on the train home that I started to sink.


The weekend was a bit of a write-off of course, but hey-ho.

Here are a couple of sketches I did on the train on the way home from Liverpool on Friday afternoon, again, to take my mind off feeling rubbish and to stop myself falling asleep and missing my stop:


This week I'm out and about some more, so it's a good job I'm feeling reasonably recovered. I'm off today to see the gallery in Salford where my exhibition is to be held in the summer. Tell you about it when I get back!

9 comments:

Susan D said...

Glad you enjoyed your brief stop in my home city well as much as you can when you don't feel well. I love your illustrations can't wait to see more. Best wishes from Susan (an OCA Textiles degree student).

Sue Westcott said...

The drawings are lovely, so lively! Glad you enjoyed Liverpool, it's my home city too, kind regards Sue.

Bethany said...

Hope you are feeling better now!! I love that someone was drawing you as you were drawing him! I don't know how you get away with drawing all these people without them coming up to you and interrupting... very sneaky!

Giselle Vidal McMenamin said...

You draw beautifully even under duress!

Jean | Delightful Repast said...

This is fabulous! I'm so glad I heard about you from Michael Nobbs!Since food is my "thing," I especially love these dining drawings. With your talent, I could illustrate all my food blog posts with drawings instead of photos.

Ira R said...

What a prolific solid group of sketches.

Poppy said...

Lovely free work with just a pencil to capture the mood. Simple & gorgeous!!!

Peter Bryenton said...

Wow! Do you give lessons? This is where I'd like to get to with my drawing.

Stephy Phillips said...

these are great sketches. it's so hard when people are moving not to get frustrated and rip the page out!