Sketches

So… why do I sketch?  I love to draw and I love buildings, but there’s so much more to it:   when I sketch, I have to pay attention to every single element and detail of the building — I end up ‘getting to know’ it, studying its architecture in a way that just looking at it as a whole cannot do.  Once you study the parts and pieces in that much detail, you gain an entirely new appreciation of what you’re looking at, and what went into its creation, when you zoom back out.

Also, my sketches are usually of an important architectural sight in a city, and naturally there are many people around it… a mix of locals and tourists, passers-by and loiterers.  Many are curious, wondering what I’m looking at and what I’m doing.  It’s a different way to interact with local people as well as fellow travelers.  The curiosity level is different in each country too — sometimes I’m literally surrounded by people while sketching, almost to the point of not being able to finish!  Other times, I’m treated like a celebrity, with strangers asking for a photo with me, even an autograph!  Most times, I’ll just get a pleasant “very nice!” in the local language, which always makes me smile.

I’ve met many people, had some great conversations, and made new friends and travel buddies just by stopping and putting my pencil to paper.  So, enjoy the sketches below, and as you look at them, try to imagine that behind almost every sketch lies a great story!

Sketches

For years, family, friends, coworkers, and even other travelers have told me that I should sell prints of my sketches.  I’ve always brushed those comments off, as sketching is my passion, and I’ve never had any intention of making money from it.  But the requests continued, and so 20 years after my first sketch in 1999, I finally did it (thanks to the ease of setting up a Zazzle store!) – even if it’s just so my parents could order mugs and pillows of their favorite sketches to proudly display at home!  😉  If you like my sketches, and might want to order something, check out my store!  And if your favorite isn’t there yet, or not on the product you like, let me know, and I’ll make it just for you!

Sketches

Like my sketches?  Visit Wanderluster Design Co. and find your favorite!