The year 2020 was a really dark year for me, every part of my life stopped and it seemed like it would stay that way.
I only managed to make 9 pen sketches that year. I couldn't find a way to connect with my artistic life, I spend time thinking about things that never produce results. My face started to light up when I bought that black pen with some drawing paper. I saw a magazine lying around the house - that was where I got some of my models.
This was one of the first I did. I stroked my friend who happened to attack me with the pen game. Yeah, there's this challenge we do on Facebook and Instagram, where an artist will draws whoever they like and with that they are challenging you to respond with a sketch. So this piece was a wake-up call which I titled 'Head Shot'
This was sent to my artist friend who's a sculptor and also draws very well, I sent this to him to let him know that I'm a big fan of his sculptural work.
Then this I titled 'The Brainbox'
He's my cousin and he is a clever boy. I spent a few months with the family in 2019, took some portrait shots of him with plans of drawing him someday and here he is in some diced strokes.
This right here I got from the magazine, but was inspired by my environment. Things were tough and I saw how women in my hometown really held up and kept pushing despite the storm. These women went extra mile for their families, especially the single mothers - they had no choice than to fight. The struggle made me title this piece 'Limitless'
Limitless in the sense that these women never allowed anything to stop them from performing their role as a mother.
Maybe this was me or maybe not. The reference was also from the magazine. Why I said this might be me was because what I titled it - 'Smiling Amidst Tears'
Yes this was me, this was the people I see everyday, this was how the world was feeling. I just had to stroke it out and the flow was natural.
Then here's my favorite, this was the last. I titled it 'Wish List' - which really enveloped my aspirations in life. I poured out everything here, I went so gently and took my time making this.
These last two are from live study of a snail shell, my strokes here is quite impressive.
All Sketches were done on a 10x12cm Emboss paper with black ballpoint pen.
Thank you for having me today!
Go have have a good day people.