Occasionally Auckland Sketchbook escapes the city to somewhere interesting — and close. This time the sketchbook got a workout in The Bay of Islands . Only 3.5 hours by car and a world away from work. The sketch above was made in down-town Paihia, it doesn't look it, but it is literally behind the main street. The view is the back of an old homestead called Williams House . I was attracted by the orchard of very old fig trees on the left that had me imagining eating juicy ripe figs. Sadly they weren't in season but it must be a fun place at harvest time. Right over the other side of the bay you will find his falling down old house on Matauwhi Bay. For a while there the water had a turquoise glow until the sun went into hiding. This is Pompallier House and Clendon Cottage in Russell sketched with my back to the sea. I may have used a little too much artistic licence in moving them close enough together to fit on my page so don't look too closely. Anyway, I have sketched Po...
Auckland's Diwali festival finished today in Auckland and it was quite an event - bright, loud, energetic, tasty (the food that is) and crowded. The performances were impressive, the teenage youtube sensation from Superwomen from Canada appeared driving the teenagers in the crowd into a screaming frenzy, then this group of drummers appeared in the crowd near us and were instantly engulfed by a joyous crowd of waving dancing fans.
One of the highlights for me was Hanif Kureshi's typography project. He was busy creating a large poster in traditional hand painted font styles.
Hanif, a fine artist and art director based in New Delhi is on a mission to save the Indian art of hand painted typography which is disappearing in favour of bland computer generated artwork. I haven't made it to India yet, but I know the graphic design would be a huge attraction for me. The project includes recording the typographic styles of hand painting masters for future generations. Soon the digitised type will be available for purchase and use on your computer too with half of the proceeds going back to the original artist. Go to handpaintedtype.com to check out the fantastic lettering styles and video.
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