ANZAC Centenary, Peace Forver

Friends, thank you very much for the strong support. This whole post was included in "ANZAC Illustrated" exhibition at Clunes International Booktown Festival. All works were created by Australian picture book illustrators. I was included into them. A great honour. It is the Australia's largest book trading event and the only booktown in a southern hemisphere. 

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I sketched the private collections : a veteran's private monochrome photos, watches and a uniform that were dedicated for ANZAC. They were displayed in a public library like a museum. ANZAC day, 25th April is the remembrance day of soldiers and served people in Australia. ANZAC stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Originally it was to honour the ANZAC members who fought in Gallipoli against Turkey in WWI. 100 years have passed. 
Casuality : Over 80,000 Arab and Turkish soldiers were killed. Their wounded number was doubled Australian soldiers. Nearly 9,000 Australian soldiers lost their lives. About 140,000 allied troops were killed or wounded. Totall : Estimated casuality was nearly 400,000 on both sides. 

What's the meaning of ANZAC, our respect and mourning today? In my view, the message of died soldiers is simple, "Never repeat war. Remember our sacrifices for peace. Pass on a better world to a next generation." I'm certain that none of killed or served people wants us to make war. How much died people wanted to come home safely to see us, family, loves and friends!  What do you think, Friends? In your own country, you have a similar remembrance day.Today, sadly, there are still wars on the earth. (*NOTE : A soldier's ID is changed below.) 

I enjoyed the sketching in the library. All exhibited things belonged to a librarian's father, who already passed away. (She happily permitted my sketch and always encourages my art activities.) The monochrome photo was framed in a cracked glass. 

"Did your father talk of war?" I asked the librarian.  

"No. I think it was from post war trauma."
As far as I know few veterans speak of war experiences and keep a heavy silence. The two librarans' sons are serving right now. They are worried about precious sons' lives and safety. All of us agreed, "Against any war." My sketches made the librarians very happy. She added in a cheerful tone, "Great honour. My father should be very happy with your sketches. Blog it!" Thank you for your cooperation and warm cheers. 

While sketching, my sketching interested people and they talked to me in the library. 
If I dare to explain my drawing theoretically, "value" is the key. In narrative, small settings are crucial, too. Did you realise that I changed the soldier's eye contact in colour from the black and white drawing? I made him more facing us straightly. Really a slight change though, it has made a mood. I always weigh on eyes in portraits. Or Friends, can you explain my painting features for me?? That'll be great and fun. I really appreciate your kind help! 

A blog friend says,  "How interesting you can take something as static as a watch and still give it life in some way - how do you do that? It doesn't look dull and static when you paint it but has a vibrancy and life to it - you do that with everything, not just people so it must just be your personal style :)."

Thank you. I actually do not know well how I did it. Yes, it's my style much like from my instinct. "Colour" is my most favorite area and tool. None of theories explains it. Can you ask a bird why sings? 

Technically, I chose a "realistic" and "calm/quiet" approach to the subjects. The sketches gave me confidence how to colour the images created from monochrome photos. I added colours on figures from my own imagination. Imagination and creativity are humans wings to fly across a sky freely, is my belief. 

Parramatta library calls for post cards for women and men currently serving for Australian army (Wednesday 8 April to Friday 24 April 2015). I wrote 2 and added the sketches of Parramatta landscapes in them. Wow, what an honour, the library displays my submitted post cards on a board as samples. "Your sketches are so beautiful!" says a librarian about why they put my postcards (thank u!). Collected ones will be sent to Department of Defence to forward to our military personnel all around the world. I hope our little bit compassion will comfort people in army. 

In addition, I also wrote what we had discussed about ANZAC, a national identity and human rights in a uni sociology tut and included the sketch of a soldier's belt and eating set in my own blog. If you'd like to think of ANZAC and related stuff above, come over my blog, "Sadami's Graffiti" that has a bibliography. 

Back to the topic. I hope we will bequeath a better world to a next generation from the precious experience of ANZAC. I also hope, we, illustrators and artists will work on sending the important message, the want for peace in art. 

Friends, Happy Painting! 

Presentation by Paul Wang and Liz Steel, and Sketchcrawl in North Melbourne

What a treat to have Paul Wang and Liz Steel present to the Melbourne Urban Sketchers last Saturday (11/4). It was very informative for us - via slideshow and video, we saw some urban sketching events in other cities, Paul’s work over the years as well as a glimpse of his approach. We also heard about the upcoming symposium from Liz that got many of us excited.

 
The morning presentation was followed by sketching around Errol Street in North Melbourne.

This is the sketch I completed during the session, just outside the Town Hall and looking towards a row of shops.

Paul Wang facilitated the show and tell after sketching.

There was more sketching afterwards at the Auction Room cafe over drinks and food, and later at Joe Taylor Bar over drinks. It was a fun day that started at 10am and for some of us ended after dinner.