Tag: social media

RH wins a free ebook from the Artists Network.

PanPastel Prize #1 : Julia Payne

Country: USA

The Story behind my drawing:

Six years ago, my husband and I went to see the light installation artist, Bruce Munro’s, exhibit at the Franklin Conservatory in Columbus, Ohio. Our tickets happened to fall on a night when there had been 2 feet of snow. We entered the foyer of the conservatory and our first sight was a spectacular chandelier he had called “Icos”. Ii scribbled a drawing of it so i would never forget it. Every time i look at my drawing, it brings back the whole incredible light show, in the dark, in the snow. Glorious!

Julia wins 1 pan pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

Pan Pastel Prize #2 : Ruth Oosterman

Country: Canada

The Story behind my drawing:

“Believe”

This timelapse was an idea bouncing around my head for the past year and it feels great to finally bring it to fruition. As a mom with two kids soon to enter the stage of technology and peer pressure, which honestly terrifies me, this lesson of believing in yourself without outside approval is a daily lesson I try to impart onto my children in hopes of preparing them for what is to come.

It is natural to want others to think highly of you and there is no evil in that but it is dangerous to allow your sense of self to be defined by anyone but yourself.

You are the lead in your life story and no one else should be given the power to write your character.

The original writing on the wall said, “I need you to believe in me” but once the little girl waters the seed the plant grows and covers some of the words leaving it to say, “I Believe in Me”

Find my work at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miniTUnJey8&t=1s

Ruth wins 1 pan pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

Strathmore Prize: Nicole Little

Country: Canada

The Story behind my drawing:

These are portraits of “ordinary” people in Tim Hortons. I love the diversity of people out in the world. I feel so lucky to live in Canada where so many cultures and ethnicities come together and coexist peacefully. The diversity certainly doesn’t hurt when you’re looking for a model! This piece is an exploration in pen line-work. I wanted to replicate the crowded feeling of a busy coffee shop.
My brother David lives in Vancouver. I have always wanted to visit him but, with a new baby and all the usual expenses, it looks like it will be several years before I get to eat really fresh lobster, and go for a swim and a ski on the same day. So, I’m sending a part of myself in art form! See you… eventually Vancouver!

Find my work at:
https://littleneocreative.com

S EE THIS DRAWING ON THE BIG PICTURE

Nicole wins 1 Strathmore Sketchbook 9 x 12 inches and a Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

Copic Prize : Luce Pelletier

Country: Canada

The Story behind my drawing:

I had stopped drawing 30 years ago. Recently, illness struck me: I cannot work any longer. I got a zentangle book in the hope of learning to free my hand to draw again. After one year of practice, drawings like this one here are emerging, and it makes me happy. Besides that, I’m a published poet, writing free-form poetry and haiku. I think that somehow, the two (will) meet. Anyhow, drawing and writing are part of my everyday life and they do give me reason to carry on despite my disability, hope and share.

Luce wins 1 Strathmore Sketchbook 5.5 x 8.5 inches and 1 Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

Speedball Prize #1: Angela Read

Country: UK

The Story behind my drawing:

When I was a child walking around the playground I used to feel like I was wearing a target. The obvious reason for this might be because I was bullied, but I don’t like being surrounded by people so it could be that. The target is repeated to show movement but in doing this I have created somthing which looks like a virus which is pretty apt as this is often what I feel like.

Find my work at:
http://www.angelaread.co.uk

Angela wins one Strathmore Watercolor paper pad- 12 sheets cold press and a Speedball Sketching set.

Speedball Prize #2: Farhat Tyebji

Country: Spain

The Story behind my drawing:

I have loved dancing, be it folk or classical. Now I stay in Barcelona, Spain.
Here I got an opportunity to learn Indian classical dance; kathak.
Keeping in touch with the culture of my land, I learn and and also get opportunities to perform on stage. I feel, it is so beautiful, transporting one culture to another land, thus mingling and merging art forms and finding out similarities. This is what I call “Unity in diversity”.!!

Farhat wins one Strathmore Watercolor paper pad- 12 sheets cold press and a Speedball Sketching set.

Speedball Prize #3: Marty Garland

Country: Ireland

The Story behind my drawing:

This is a drawing of my mothers hand holding a little songbook, and although her alzheimers condition was quite advanced she understood the book related to singing and was singing away with gusto, though not necessarily from words on the page! The words of the song depicted are from a folk song called ‘Peggy Gordon’…she thought I had written a song about my sister Peggy (Garland) and used to sing it.

Find my work at:
https://martygarland.com/photo_15987681.html

Marty wins one Speedball sketching set

Once again congratulations to all participating artists, this project would not exist without you !

Whenever you enter a drawing in the Big Picture, you are automatically added to our next draw.

02/26/201902/26/2019

Participate in the Big Picture before April 30th and you will entered to win prizes in our next giveaway

On April 30th, we will select 8 contributions to the Big Picture for our art prizes giveaway and they will win prizes by our sponsors.

If you already participated in the project, you don’t need to do anything, you are automatically eligible to win a prize.

Do you have questions about participating ? Read our FAQ or visit our page : How to participate

Our giveaway prizes

1 inspiring e-book download by the Artists Network.

2 Pan Pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

1 Strathmore Sketchbook 9 x 12 inches and a Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

1 Strathmore Sketchbook 5.5 x 8.5 inches and 1 Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

2 Strathmore Watercolor paper pad- 12 sheets cold press and a Speedball Sketching set.

1 Speedball sketching set

If you already uploaded you drawings, you are automatically entered for the giveaways

Each participant can upload up to 4 pictures

Good luck !

11/29/201811/29/2018

Participate in the Big Picture before January 31st and you will entered to win prizes in our next giveaway

On January 31st, we will select 7 contributions to the Big Picture for our art prizes giveaway and they will win prizes by our sponsors. If you already participated in the project, you don’t need to do anything, you are automatically eligible to win a prize.

What are we looking for? We are looking for personal stories that will let us know a bit more about yourself:

where you are from
where you live now
your everyday life
significant events
what you like
who you love
your pets
your inspiration
your state of mind…

Our giveaway prizes

1 drawing e-book download by the Artists Network.

2 Pan Pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

1 Strathmore Sketchbook 9 x 12 inches and a Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

1 Strathmore Sketchbook 5.5 x 8.5 inches and 1 Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

2 Strathmore Watercolor paper pad- 12 sheets cold press and a Speedball Sketching set.

1 speedball fountain pen

1 Speedball sketching set

If you already uploaded you drawings, you are automatically entered for the giveaways

Each participant can upload up to 4 pictures

Good luck !

06/06/2018

Participate in the Big Picture before August 15th and you will entered to win prizes in our next giveaway

On August 15th, we will select 6 of the most interesting contributions to the Big Picture for our fifth giveaway and they will win prizes by our sponsors. If you already participated in the project, you don’t need to do anything, you are automatically eligible to win a prize.

What are we looking for? We are looking for personal stories that will let us know a bit more about yourself:

where you are from
where you live now
your everyday life
significant events
what you like
who you love
your pets
your inspiration
your state of mind…

Our giveaway prizes

2 Pan Pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

1 Strathmore Sketchbook 9 x 12 inches and a Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

1 Strathmore Sketchbook 5.5 x 8.5 inches and 1 Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

1 Strathmore Watercolor paper pad- 12 sheets cold press and a Speedball Sketching set.

If you already uploaded you drawings, you are automatically entered for the giveaways

Each participant can upload up to 4 pictures

Good luck !

05/20/201805/20/2018

Congratulations to the winners of our sixth giveaway !

We selected the winners of our sixth giveaway. Congratulations to all the talented artists and story tellers!

As it happened with our previous giveaways, it was very challenging to select only 6 winners in all the last 2 months uploads. We were often moved, interested or amazed by the stories you shared, thank you 🙂

We will let you know soon the deadline for our next giveaway, with even more prizes by our sponsors. You are entered automatically by participating in the Big Picture.

Copic Prize: Nicolas Grégoire

Drawing by Nicolas Grégoire

Country: Canada

The Story behind my drawing:

Oscar the old man who didn’t want to hear a thing.
This evening, every sound is irritating Oscar. It’s as if his upstairs neighbour is proud of his drum & bass and wants to share it with everyone. The melody is hazy and indistinct. All Oscar hears is the blasting bass and its repetitive beat. He’s not in the mood. Even the very thought of going to ask is neighbour to turn it down is burdensome. He’s fed up and grumpy. Might as well be alone tonight.
People usually avoid solitude by filling the sound of silence. But sometimes we just need to be alone in a quiet place. I guess it depends on our mental state.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I have a client who lives near Vancouver, on Victoria Island. Our country is vast, the world is immense and so is my family.

Find my work at:
http://www.nicolasgregoire.ca/

Nicolas wins a Strathmore Vision sketchbook 7x 10″ and a Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

Strathmore Prize: Christie Zwick

Drawing by Christie Zwick

Country: Canada

The Story behind my drawing:

This is my beagle, Nile, checking to see if I have forgotten about him. He does this when is am drawing.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I love visiting Vancouver. It is such a change from Calgary. The atmosphere just feels more creative…

Click here to read more about the Big Picture Art Project:
https://thebigpictureartproject.com

Christie wins 1 Strathmore Vision sketchbook 5.5 x 8.5″ and 1 Copic Multi-liner set of inking pens

PanPastel Prize #1 : Suzanne Borowicz

Drawing by Suzanne Borowicz

Country: USA

The Story behind my drawing:

A few years ago, my husband underwent surgery to remove a cancer. Luckily, we live near an internationally acclaimed cancer institute, so I felt confident that my husband was receiving the best care. We had the support of family, friends and prayers.
However, cancer brings a distinct isolation with it that cannot be avoided. While my husband slept after his surgery, I peered out the window imagining the bustling lives of the people in the city outside, all unaware of the terror in my heart and the loneliness in my soul.
Without realizing it, I sketched my perspective and my emotions.
My husband recovered. He is now cancer free, and we have rejoined the active life of folks outside hospital windows.
This sketch is a reminder of cancer’s solitary confinement. My husband and I now make every effort to reach out to people with this terrifying diagnosis aware that all we can do is offer a knowing companionship until the loneliness lifts.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

My connection to Vancouver is Sandrine Pelissier. I have followed her work for a number of years now, and she makes me believe that Vancouver is a beautiful nurturing place to live, work and create. I would like to visit Vancouver and experience its energy for myself.

Suzanne wins 1 pan pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

PanPastel Prize #2 : Daniel Pincham-Phipps

Drawing by Daniel Pincham-Phipps

Country: UK

The Story behind my drawing:

After my late father made me a cup of tea. He stood watching out the window, he used to feed the birds, mum does it now.

This drawing is of my late father, he had dementia and wanted to make me a cup of tea. He was standing in his pyjama’s and slippers, half hour later I got my cup of tea and it was perfect.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

Love, love, love and life and art.

Find my work at:
https://www.facebook.com/dppartist/

Daniel wins 1 pan pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

Speedball Prize #1: Priyanka Dhar

Drawing by Priyanka Dhar

Country: United Kingdom

The Story behind my drawing:

I was few months away from motherhood when a strong desire for Madhubani art settled into me. My son, who is my love and inspiration, and finds his best friend in me playfully takes away my brush and rushes into the backyard on his scooter. I chase him with a candy so that I can divert his attention from my paint brush.

This piece of art is a reflection of me juggling between my passion and my love. It is a snippet of my daily life – me with my art brush in one hand and a candy in the other that my 2 year old relishes.

I am balancing between my artistic career and the naughty toddler whose arrival into this world reinforced my focus and dedication towards Madhubani art when there were bleak chances of me being able to manage my motherhood and my career.

Here I have tried to give a touch of folkart form called Madhubani art to this sketch. Madhubani art originated in India, the country I belong to. All smiles while i draw this. Its an interrelated story of my love & passion.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I have never been to Vancouver. How i feel connected to Vancouver is through The Vancouver Art Gallery, which i have heard about and seen in pictures.

Being an budding artist art galleries do make me feel great. I hope to visit this gallery one day may be as a visitor or may be as an exhibitor.

Hope to see Vancouver soon!!!

Find my work at:
http://www.instagram.com/madhubanianand

Priyanka wins a Speedball Artist Set

Speedball Prize #2: S JAYARAJ

Drawing by S JAYARAJ

Country: India

The Story behind my drawing:

My city Chennai is blessed with many heritages, monuments of Dravidian culture, British culture and much more. Living in the city helped me to understand stories of a different era and inspired many of my artworks. Due to the nature of my job, a major part of my life was dedicated for the upliftment and empowering of fishermen community. In these drawings, you can see 7th-8th-century shore temple on the Coromandel coast of Bay of Bengal and traditional fishermen community living around it.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I believe it is the heart of people which makes a city beautiful. Many of the famous influential people call Vancouver their home. This city not only raised many actors, activist, musicians and writers but also is blessed with beautiful mountains and wonderful people. To me, Vancouver is not just a beautiful city, it represents Art, music theatre and Literature –some of the finer things which give meaning to the life.

S wins a Speedball Sketching Set

Once again congratulations to all participating artists, this project would not exist without you !

03/15/201803/15/2018

Participate in the Big Picture before May 15th and you will entered to win prizes in our next giveaway

On May 15th, we will select 6 of the most interesting contributions to the Big Picture for our fifth giveaway and they will win prizes by our sponsors. If you already participated in the project, you don’t need to do anything, you are automatically eligible to win a prize.

What are we looking for? We are looking for personal stories that will let us know a bit more about yourself:

where you are from
where you live now
your everyday life
significant events
what you like
who you love
your pets
your inspiration
your state of mind…

Our giveaway prizes

2 Pan Pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

1 Strathmore Vision sketchbook 5.5 x 8.5 inches and a Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

1 Strathmore Vision sketchbook 7 x 10 inches and 1 Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

1 Speedball Sketching Set

1 Speedball Artist Set

If you already uploaded you drawings, you are automatically entered for the giveaways

Each participant can upload up to 4 pictures

Good luck !

See the 1000’s upload on the Big Picture

01/31/201801/31/2018

We reached one thousand upload today !!! Thank you !

Thank you !!
We reached the 1000th upload today.
Thank you to all participants, you are helping us make this project a reality!!

We love reading your stories and are often moved by them ! It is so nice to be able to access hand drawn slices of life from everywhere in the world and feel a connection.

The Big Picture in numbers

1000 uploads today

Here is a list of participating countries, by decreasing number of participants

1	United States
2	Canada
3	United Kingdom
4	India
5	Australia
6	France
7	Netherlands
8	Turkey
9	Ukraine
10	Pakistan
11	Brazil
12	Ireland
13	Singapore
14	Germany
15	Italy
16	Spain
17	Mexico
18	Austria
19	Indonesia
20	Romania
21	Russia
22	Nigeria
23	Vietnam
24	Argentina
25	Colombia
26	Hong Kong
27	Hungary
28	Japan
29	Luxembourg
30	New Zealand
31	Serbia
32	Bangladesh
33	Belgium
34	Bulgaria
35	Belarus
36	Costa Rica
37	Israel
38	French Polynesia
39	Portugal
40	Sudan
41	Venezuela
42	Switzerland
43	Ecuador
44	Georgia
45	South Korea
46	Malta
47	Oman
48	Philippines
49	Poland
50	Uruguay

And here is a list of the 50 first cities by number of participants:

2	North Vancouver
2	(not set)
3	Vancouver
4	Calgary
5	Toronto
6	London
7	Ankara
8	Lucknow
9	Seattle
10	Tulsa
11	Paris
12	Singapore
13	Lahore
14	New York
15	Burnaby
16	Ottawa
17	Dublin
18	Lviv
19	Oakland
20	Spring Hill
21	Indianapolis
22	Rivne
23	Sydney
24	New Westminster
25	Victoria
26	West Vancouver
27	Montreal
28	Slough
29	Lagos
30	San Diego
31	Chicago
32	Florence
33	Hillsboro
34	Mauldin
35	Nashville
36	Beaumont
37	University
38	Brisbane
39	Vienna
40	Edmonton
41	Coquitlam
42	Mississauga
43	Windsor
44	Regina
45	Budapest
46	Surabaya
47	Bengaluru
48	Chennai
49	Mexico City
50	Bucharest

12/12/2017

New Video for the French Radio Canada Television

This is a new video shot for the television of Radio Canada British Columbia by Monia Blanchet Radio-Canada, in French. You can see Sandrine in her studio, talking about the project.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3blolLK9P8[/embedyt]

12/05/201712/05/2017

Congratulations to the winners of our fourth giveaway !

We selected the winners of our fourth giveaway. Congratulations to all the talented artists and story tellers!

There were so many good stories and drawings that we really wished we had more prizes to give. We were often moved, interested or amazed by the stories you shared, thank you 🙂

We will let you know soon the deadline for our next giveaway, with even more prizes by our sponsors. You are entered automatically by participating in the Big Picture.

Copic Prize: Laurence Caron C.

Drawing by Laurence Caron C.

Country: Canada

The Story behind my drawing:

I always considered that drawing someone’s portrait is an intimate act, a way to enter the most secret and truthful part of somebody’s soul. As a transgender, I’ve lived a disrupted link to my body. During my transition from male to agendered person (using They, them singular pronoun) I deconstructed the binary gender system and it influenced my art. While Iwas getting a bachelor degree in the field of art I concentrated my work around realism and surrealism, but those styles didn’t seem to fit me, because I kept on asking questioning the conformity to beauty and aesthetics standards. I realised that pointillism and strokes were a way to deconstruct the image and that it fits with my way of understanding the body aesthetic. I kept tracks of the moments I was the less dysphoric to realise that it was only while I was naked. Afterward, it’s really logic, because while I’m naked, I look at my body for what it is, nothing more, nothing less, instead of looking at it through a social constr

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

Vancouver is something I don’t know yet. The only thing I can say is that Vancouver is bigger than every city I’ve ever been to. Maybe this city could be a nice destination for a futur trip… who knows..

Find my work at:
https://laurencecarts.wordpress.com/

Laurence wins a Strathmore Vision sketchbook 7x 10″ and a Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

Strathmore Prize: Rey Daoed

Drawing by Rey Daoed

Country: USA

The Story behind my drawing:

I am 15. I am an artist with disabilities. I can’t speak. I use the iPad or hand write to communicate. I am young but I had my first exhibition and sold my artwork. Since then, I was selected for more art opportunities, art fair and exhibitions. I have progressed so much and am able to go beyond expectation.
I am living in Washington state and often travel to Canada.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

This painting is about my visit to Capilano Suspension Bridge. That was fun!

Rey wins 1 Strathmore Vision sketchbook 5.5 x 8.5″ and 1 Copic Multi-liner set of inking pens

PanPastel Prize #1 : Rory Fehr

Drawing by Rory Fehr

Country: Canada

The Story behind my drawing:

My childhood is littered with memories of visiting my great grandparent’s house in Silver Valley, AB. These memories mostly consist of quading to the river, searching for Gypsum in the washout near by, and lots of chats around their dinning table. Opa’s stories and old memories still make me laugh, and while I observe Nana’s amazing knitting skills, I ponder how they are able to store so much energy in their old, fragile bodies. As they pass their sixty-seventh anniversary, with four children, eight grand children, and eleven great grand children, the whole family, their friends, and their neighbors and both proud and surprised that they are still living on their own. My sketch represents those memories of sitting around the table, in their miss-matched chairs, playing Scrabble, and those of trying to play Pool in their basement. Such times I wish to hold forever, but will have to satisfy with the memories instead.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I live in Dawson Creek, BC, and I have never been to Vancouver, though I would really enjoy it. I would love to see the Pacific Coast and bike through Stanley Park.

Rory wins 1 pan pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

PanPastel Prize #2 : Karima H

Drawing by Karima H

Country: Mexico

The Story behind my drawing:

When I moved from Mexico to Canada the cultural shock was difficult. One difference in particular was the lack of hugs. This drawing is talking about this new environment and how I am adapting to it. Moving to another country involves meeting lots of new people, everyone is a stranger at first. In Mexico when we say hello to someone we know or don’t know we hug them, here in Canada they usually don’t. This pandas are not afraid of hugging.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I moved from Mexico to Canada to study Fine Arts and Body & Mind Therapy. Vancouver became a special place that exposed me to a completely different live that I had in my country. Despite being a growing city, Vancouver encourages the conservation and protection of the environment which I found fascinating. The multicultural experience of the city is a great opportunity to know other cultures and expand the interpretation of reality.

Karima wins 1 pan pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

Speedball Prize #1: Katya Bozukova

Drawing by Katya Bozukova

Country: United Kingdom

The Story behind my drawing:

As a woman doing martial arts, I often get comments about how un-feminine I am: that I am a ‘brute’, ‘scary’, ‘terrifying’. This is so much part of my experience, my nickname at my local club is ‘pitbull’. While martial arts accepts women of all stripes, temperaments, and body types, I sometimes feel like a witch because of the way I choose to represent myself. However, I chose not to let these comments become hurtful, and I embrace them instead of turning them away. I am proud of my work and I am proud of my scars and I am proud to be who I am – even if it does not fit in with what society says women should be like.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

Vancouver makes me think about freedom and success. Travelling there would be amazing, because it would mean I have enough money to afford the ticket, and enough clout so that I am not turned away at the border. (As a Bulgarian living in the UK, the reality of internationalism is made clear to me every single day.)

Katya wins a Speedball Artist Set

Speedball Prize #2: Sue Wellington

Drawing by Sue Wellington

Country: Sweden

The Story behind my drawing:

This is a pine tree that I see basically every day in my daily walk through the forest in our outer suburb of Stockholm. I moved here 8 years ago from Melbourne, Australia for a relationship. I’m still here! Though it’s been challenging on every level. But exciting too.

I find that those trees, especially the pines, make me feel at home. So they’re really important to me emotionally. I see them as my friends and I try to render their individuality. It pains me that many of them appear to be dying. I feel people take pine trees for granted, so I try to honour them in my drawings and paintings. A memorial.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

One of my favourite tv shows is Smallville, which was filmed in Vancouver. As a result of this I always think of Vancouver fondly, as well as being on my list of places I’d love to visit.

Sue wins a Speedball Artist Set

Speedball Prize #3: Su Leng Han

Drawing by Su Leng Han

Country: Singapore

The Story behind my drawing:

This is me in my happy place, taking time to do the things that make my soul happy. I am currently on a 6-month break from work and am thankful for this timeout to rekindle my love for drawing, painting and crafting.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I haven’t had the chance to visit Vancouver and would love to do so one day.

Find my work at:
https://paperwindows.wixsite.com/paperwindows

Sue wins a Speedball fountain pen

Once again congratulations to all participating artists, we could select only 7 winners and this was a difficult tasks as many of you shared stories and drawings that did touch, interest and amazed us 🙂

10/02/201710/02/2017

Congratulations to the winners of our third giveaway !

We selected the winners of our third giveaway. Congratulations to all the talented artists and story tellers!

There were so many good stories and drawings that we really wished we had more prizes to give. We were often moved, interested or amazed by the stories you shared, thank you 🙂

We will let you know soon the deadline for our next giveaway, with even more prizes by our sponsors. You are entered automatically by participating in the Big Picture.

The Artist Network Prize :Venita Salian

Drawing by Venita Salian

Country: Canada

The Story behind my drawing:

Before I reached the age of 12, we moved about 5 times in India due to my parents jobs and plans. Even though I made friends easily, moving made me feel lonely, but it also helped me develop a vivid imagination, which brought out the creative side in me. This happy memory/imagination was after it rained in Bombay, India. Puddles make great mini oceans to float paper boats.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I live in Canada, Ontario now and I still have a lot of places in Canada I need to visit. I would like to visit Vancouver to see the Canadian Rockies.

Venita wins a one year subscription to artistsnetwork.tv by the Artist Network

Copic Prize: Darrell Wilson

Drawing by Darrell Wilson

Country: United States

The Story behind my drawing:

There are many things that have inspired me over my lifetime. Seeing older men from my neighborhood having a beard as a child was one. I was always intrigued seeing these guys as they would interact on the block and at the local barbershop while getting them groomed. It just seemed so cool. Not only did they look good, but each person’s beard embodied their self-expression and shaped their personality. I have had a beard for seven years and it has given me a sense of freedom. So, I created this picture to ask the question, “What does your beard say about you?”

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I would love to visit Vancouver one day. It looks so beautiful.

Darrell wins a Strathmore Vision sketchbook 7x 10″ and a Copic Multiliner set of inking pens

Strathmore Prize: Krista Wells

Drawing by Krista Wells

Country: Canada

The Story behind my drawing:

I drew this from a photo I took at a café in Lagos, Portugal. There are many dogs and cats in need of rescuing in Portugal, but there are dedicated people who volunteer to make their lives better by running shelters and adoption events. My friends Robin and Diana always have a soft spot for dogs in need. They had a very old dog who had recently died. When I ran into them at the café, they had just picked up their new dog from the dog shelter. Robin is caressing his newly rescued pooch. The dog is soaking up the love. This will be a happy life filled with surfing, yoga, and romping on the beach.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

When I was a child, I visited my uncle who was an architect in a Vancouver. He was a small man, about 5″4″. He wore a pith helmet and a bow tie. He drove a Morgan convertible. My strongest image is of him behind the wheel, barely able to see over the dash, and beside him in the passenger seat, sitting very tall, is his Great Dane.

Krista wins 1 Strathmore Vision sketchbook 5.5 x 8.5″ and 1 Copic Multi-liner set of inking pens

PanPastel Prize #1 : Medha Karandikar

Drawing by Medha Karandikar

Country: USA

The Story behind my drawing:

The title of this picture is “Memory post-it’s”. I try to remember ideas for drawings and writings. Sometimes they do not stick in my memory unless I write them down. I have a little box of post-it’s on which I write a few lines to describe what I hope will eventually become a short story or a lovely painting. Dementia in the family is a constant reminder that a good memory is a gift to cherish. Post-it notes are my way to make my memories last.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

The Art Gallery is what will draw me to Vancouver. I will love to spend an entire day at the Vancouver Art Gallery. My niece has just moved to Seattle, and I plan to visit her and make a road trip to Vancouver for a couple of days. I want to experience the cultural diversity that they say Vancouver is known for.

Medha wins 1 pan pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

PanPastel Prize #2 : Jenn Ashton

Drawing by Jenn Ashton

Country: Canada

The Story behind my drawing:

This year I had a very bad shoulder injury from too much painting, for months I had to use my nondominant hand. It was actually fantastic, I learned how to draw using only my left hand – which is what this picture was drawn with. This picture is me and the dogs in bed, at the start of my injury, when it was still very painful.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I love Vancouver! My G3x Grandfather was one of Vancouver’s first 100 Pioneers, and my Gx3 Grandmother was indigenous from WhoiWhoi (Stanley Park). This is my home and the home of my ancestors:-)

Jenn wins 1 pan pastels sets with 5 colors of your choice, a tray and a soft tools starter set

Speedball Prize #1:Gaëlle Vejlupek

Drawing by Gaëlle Vejlupek

Country: switzerland

The Story behind my drawing:

I have a very strong connection to nature, and even more to the swiss forests and mountains, and what I draw most of the time represents that link.
My drawings are related to stories that I imagine once I take my brushes and inks, and the characters living in my imaginary world.
This is one of those characters living in my imaginary world. He is planting seeds and taking care of the forest

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I loved Vancouver, and Vancouver Island . I spent some time sleeping in the forest there, saw a bear and many dears, it was a very nice, refilling and peaceful time

Gaëlle wins a Speedball Sketching Artist Set

Speedball Prize #2: Ngoc Hong Hong

Drawing by Ngoc Hong Hong

Country: Viet Nam

The Story behind my drawing:

When I was little I went to Hang Ma market with older sister every year to celebrate the Full-moon Festival. I remember roaming the street all night long under the glittering light and colorful lanterns. We used spent all of our ‘saving’ for toys or treats and soon to feel regretful for our ‘irresponsible spending’ in the next day…
This is the drawing of the little store that me and my sister used to come over in Full-moon festival. Every time I look at this drawing, it brought me back to the old day when I was hand in hand with my big sis, strolling around the street in the red lantern night.

My connection to #Vancouver or what Vancouver evokes to me:

I have only seen Vancouver through photos and stories from friends. Vancouver is a beautiful city and I would like to have a chance to visit Vancouver in the future!