The SneakyArt Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep 22 - Capturing the Spirit of Mumbai with Zainab Tambawalla Jul 16, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I speak with Mumbai-based artist, illustrator and urban-sketcher Zainab Tambawalla, about her sketch-reportage project to tell the story of 6 artisans practicing different trades in the city of Mumbai, India. She shares stories from their lives, professional struggles, and the enormous hardships of the past 2 years. Her project urges us to notice the lives of people who are often at the edges of our tunnel vision. It invites us to pay attention to our urban landscape in a more conscientious and empathetic manner.

We talk about Zainab's journey as an artist, her work in the animation industry, and her turn towards becoming a freelance illustrator. What does urban sketching have to offer someone who has been drawing and painting their entire life? We talk about the value of exploring new media and styles of expression, and discuss how drawing on location can help us appreciate the culture and history of the places we live in.

- If you liked this episode, buy me a coffee as a show of support. - To discuss this episode with me and other listeners, join our private Facebook group. - Subscribe to my free, weekly newsletter - Find an episode summary and links to other episodes on the SneakyArt website.

Ep 21 - Making Storyboards with Alex Hillkurtz Jul 02, 2021

Show notes

I speak with painter and storyboard artist, Alex Hillkurtz, about working on Hollywood storyboards and how it informs and influences his art today. We discuss how storyboards are made, what they are used for, and the lessons they have for every artist in terms of composition and framing. Alex tells me about picking up painting at a later stage in life, and how his ideas about control and precision changed as he worked in watercolors. We talk about picking up ideas and inspiration from cinema, fine art, and our fellow artists. Alex also shares his recent experience putting his thoughts together as a book - "Sketching Techniques for Artists".

Follow Alex on Instagram, or visit his website to stay updated with his latest work.

To follow SneakyArt across different platforms, visit here. To discuss this episode and the SneakyArt Podcast, join our private Facebook group.

To support this show, visit here and buy me a coffee. :)

Ep 20 - Documenting Life with Danny Gregory Jun 18, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of the SneakyArt Podcast, I speak with Danny Gregory - author, adman, speaker, artist, podcaster and all-around creative person. Danny has led a remarkable life, growing up in various parts of the world, working different jobs, and pursuing creativity in various forms. I speak to him about his journey to become a deliberate artist, and what it means to pursue self-expression inside a sketchbook. With reference to the many books he has authored, I pick his brain about what it means to "draw without talent", to "shut your inner critic", and to find beauty in "everyday matters". I learn from the conversation that every day matters, even when it's filled with just everyday matters.

Catch links to Danny's work and buy his books from his website - www.dannygregory.com. If the practice of art makes you curious, shed your inhibitions and get moving with Danny's wonderful podcast - art for all.

- To support this podcast and my work, visit here to buy me a coffee. - Learn more about the show, and SneakyArt, at www.sneakyartist.com. - Join the SneakyArt Podcast Facebook group

Ep 19 - Building Platforms with Teoh Yi Chie Jun 04, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I speak with Teoh Yi Chie, an urban sketcher, artist and YouTuber in Singapore. Teoh creates content at a prolific pace to meet the diverse needs of his audience - art tutorials, draw-alongs, art supply reviews, and online workshops. We talk about the many ways that creators can interact and engage with fans in the new "creator economy". In his work, Teoh is able to merge his natural curiosity and his passion for making videos and art. What has he learned from following his curiosity in this way? How has it helped him satisfy his own interests as well as that of his burgeoning audience? Follow Teoh's work on IG, or visit his website - https://www.parkablogs.com/. Also check out his wonderful YouTube channel!

If you enjoyed this episode, show me your support by buying me a coffee. Follow SneakyArt on IG, or visit the website (www.sneakyartist.com) to catch links and transcripts for all episodes.

Ep 18 - Gone Digital with Rob Sketcherman May 21, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I speak with Rob Sketcherman, an urban sketcher and digital artist in Hong Kong. Rob is popular in the global urban-sketching community for making his work exclusively on the iPad, and for being the host of USk Talks.

Rob's artistic journey constitutes decisions motivated by both curiosity and pragmatism. It was a combination of curiosity and pragmatism that led him to urban sketching when he was trying to become a better artist, and the same thing led him to the digital medium when he was becoming a better urban sketcher.

Visit Rob's website to find his IG, YouTube and news about upcoming workshops - www.sketcherman.com.

To support my work and buy me a coffee, visit my website - www.sneakyartist.com.

Ep 17 - Looking for Magic with Roisin Cure May 07, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I speak with Roisin Cure, an urban sketcher and illustrator living in Galway, Ireland. We talk about learning to draw from comic books, and the ways that urban sketching has transformed her art and her approach to life.

I enjoy Roisin's work for the unique illustration style and for her focus on human activity. People are the subject of Roisin's work, and in this conversation I learn about the art that has helped her see the world in this way. We discuss learning to draw from comic books, and the useful habit of finding solutions to our problems in the styles of other artists. But despite drawing all her life, Roisin always thought she was yet to find her 'magic'. We begin this conversation with the story of how she finally found the magic, and her first attempts of urban-sketching. She shares also the experience of putting together multiple books of and about urban-sketching. We discuss her experience leading workshops, and how they have pivoted to online classes since the pandemic.

Follow Roisin Cure on Insta, Twitter or visit her website.
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Danny Gregory's 'art for all' podcast
Swarnavo Datta's 'Paper Pencil Podcast'

Ep 16 - Telling Stories with Gabi Campanario Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

In this episode, I speak with Gabi Campanario, sketch-journalist at the Seattle Times and founder of the Urban Sketchers organization. Everyone in the urban-sketchers community knows or knows about Gabi, but often only in the role of being the founder. As I researched this episode, I realized it would be a disservice to speak to him only about this. Instead, we talk about the many intersections of art and journalism in his life. He tells me about his early interest in observational drawing, as well as the circumstances under which he came to be a journalist at a time of great change within the industry. We talk about the era of blogs, and what it was like to connect with other writers, photographers and artists on the early internet. We discuss the first USk blog, bringing together correspondents from different parts of the world. In this light, we talk about the importance of chasing one's interests to simply do things, and about the unexpected virtue of ignorance, i.e. not knowing enough to not try something. We talk about how we see the horizon today, and the vanishing point where art and storytelling meet.

Follow Gabi's work on IG or visit his page on the Seattle Times. You can also follow SneakyArt on IG. For a summarized transcript of this conversation, visit here. Support this show by buying me a coffee and check out the exclusive giveaways offered to members of the podcast. The podcast also has a private FB group, where I interact with fans and solicit ideas for future episodes.

Ep 15 - Drawing Across Borders with George Butler Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

In this episode of the SneakyArt Podcast, I spoke with British artist George Butler, who makes ink/watercolor drawings of people in conflict-zones and refugee camps all over the world. His latest book (Drawn Across Borders) tells the migration stories of 12 individuals, compiled from travels over the past decade. Modern reasons for migration, legal or otherwise, include political upheaval, civil strife, proxy wars, and, increasingly, climate change. But human migration, he argues, is a basic feature of human existence, and has been so for hundreds of thousands of years. In this respect, George and I talk about the importance of sharing individual stories. I ask him about drawing scenes that are not conventionally pretty, and whether it is possible to find art in such environments. This leads to a deeper discussion about the power of illustration - what the artist puts into it and what the viewer derives from it - and thus the broader purpose of what we call art.

- Follow George Butler on Instagram or visit his website to see his other work.

- To support my work, buy me a coffee. Also find here a downloadable extra commentary on interesting tangents from this episode, plus exclusive membership offers.

- Read a brief transcript of this conversation, on the podcast page.

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Ep 14 - Making it Look Easy with Liz Steel Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

I speak with Sydney-based urban-sketcher Liz Steel about the different ways she makes her art look effortless and spontaneous. Liz took a big leap of faith in her professional life - quitting a career in architecture to become a full-time artist and educator. What does she carry from her education and experience that informs her art today? How does she benefit from a regular blogging habit? And why is teaching useful for an artist keen on self-improvement?

I was also interested to learn the point of view of an architect with a sketchbook, and the ways it differs from the non-architect urban sketcher. We discuss how a knowledge base helps to better appreciate the history and evolution of art in all its forms, architecture included.

Links below to Liz's art and her workshops. Also check out my BuyMeACoffee page for an exclusive giveaway related to this episode!

Liz Steel's website & links to her workshops | instagram
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Read a transcript of this conversation here.

Ep 13 - Sketch Now, Think Later with Mike Daikubara Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

I speak with industrial designer Mike Daikubara about how the principles of design intersect with his passion for urban-sketching. In design it is said, form follows function. But how does that translate to art? We discuss this interplay in both directions. How does Mike's education affect his urban-sketching? How does a regular sketching practice inform his work as an industrial designer?

The author Joan Didion said about writing - "I write entirely to find out what I'm thinking." Consider that if writing is the way to find out what you think, perhaps drawing is the way to learn what you find beautiful. Mike employs a philosophy of "Sketch Now, Think Later", to derive more joy from everyday life experiences, to learn what he finds beautiful, and to better communicate his ideas. It is also the title of his fantastic book on urban sketching for beginners.

To catch links related to our conversation, and to read a transcript of this episode, visit www.sneakyartist.com/podcast.

Follow Mike's work on Instagram
Buy "Sketch Now Think Later" on Amazon
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