Wednesday, February 23, 2011

A Sketch and a Symposium

On Saturday almost two weeks ago (already!) we had a sketch day at Norscot Manor, a recreation centre which houses the Watercolour Society of South Africa. There was a wonderful demo first of wild and free watercolour by Angela Eidelman, and then some of us scattered ourselves around the grounds to sketch. I think a few people were expecting a sketching lesson too, which I wasn't prepared for, but think that will happen sometime soon. I need to practice... see why below...!

Though I did too much talking and not a lot of sketching, it was lovely to meet some new potential Joburg sketchers and a blogging virtual friend, Cathy of C comme... her descriptive version of the afternoon and sketching experience is here. I did a hasty, rough sketch while sitting chatting at the restaurant. Only once most people had left did I sit in the green shade and sketch the scene above - putting everything in, homestead, arch, pergola, palm, oak, bench, birdbath and koi pond... I must learn to edit my sketches!

Now for the need to practice... because I have... been invited... to go to the Urban Sketchers Symposium in Lisbon, as one of the international instructors, would you believe!! I am beside myself not only with excitement, but a large dose of nerves. I was hoping to go to the symposium, as a student not a teacher, knowing there is so much I need to learn about sketching cities and architecture, and to be on the other side of the lectern so to speak, is something new and well, gobsmacking. But it will be fantastic, and there will be help and support and camaraderie, and I hope I'll meet some of you there.
To Gabi Campanario and his Lisbon Urban Sketchers team, thank you so much!

18 comments:

RH Carpenter said...

Kathy, this is great news and may show you how good you are - or convince you that you are that good!! Have a wonderful time - lots of support means not as much nerves (hopefully). You have so many followers who love your work - that should tell you that you are ready for this step!!!

Desiree's Designs said...

Awesome, I love this one, it is wonderful. Congrats again!

Unknown said...

I saw earlier today that you were listed as part of the symposium CONGRATULATIONS!

Lovely drawing & painting.

Cathy Gatland said...

Thank you Rhonda, my ever encouraging friend

and Desiree, thank you again!

Sue, I hope you'll be there, travelling as you do??

Anonymous said...

Oh! Well done! I have been reading you for some time and more than once I've popped you to full screen and tried(pathetically!) to capture the same freedom you achieve.
Looking forward to more...

Papierflieger said...

Very nice Cathy!

Marie Theron said...

How wonderful that you are going to Portugal to lecture! I always believed that your sketches had a wonderful freshness and spontaneous feel about them!

Suzanne McDermott said...

Bravo! Everything is fine sometimes - as in this Norscot Manor watercolor. As for your invitation - it is well deserved. An for the nerves about teaching... well, that's normal. Stage fright. However, you will be surprised at how much you have to share - that's what you're doing - sharing your experience. I wouldn't worry about practicing, just set aside time to journal. Set down an outline of what you think is most important to share. You don't have to offer what everyone else does - that's why you were invited.

Cities are not just about buildings and architecture. It's people who create those things to live, love and work in.

You work very hard. Lisbon will be lucky to have you. Congratulations!

Cathy Gatland said...

Dinah, Martin and Marie, thank you!

Suzanne, those words of wisdom are very calming - gleaned from much teaching experience, I know - thank you so much.

Maree Clarkson said...

How absolutely great is that about the symposium and you being one of the lecturers Cathy! A huge, big congratulations and I'm sure you're gonna enjoy every minute of it! Don't be nervous, just take it as another sketch outing, at which you're extremely adept!

Bridget Hunter said...

I really like the works you've posted here - colours and compositions.

Helen Percy Lystra said...

Kathy that is wonderful... I'd take a class from you in a heartbeat if you weren't so far away.

Carol King said...

Cathy, this is wonderful news! Congratulations!!!! If I could get to Lisbon I would go just to see you and take your class!

Lovely sketch of the Norscot Manor. A perfect example of why you were selected.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Please don't start editing your sketches, Cathy this one is beautiful and I love discovering all the detail. Wonderful perspective as usual.

So long since I've had a chance to catch up with your blog. Gorgeous lively paintings - I love the morning at the hairdressers and am thrilled for you to be featured in Lisbon.

Your latest Urban Sketchers post is stunning too.

Debbie said...

What a wonderful opportunity Cathy.....you are going to do well and learn so much there. I'm proud of you! Sorry I missed Angela's demo, would loved to have met the other bloggers there too! That's a lovely perspective of the entrance to the WSSA, Manor Gallery!

Justin Roberts said...

just found this blog and i really dig what you guys are all about.
thanks for posting!
www.classicroberts.blogspot.com

A Brush with Color said...

Congratulations!! How'd I miss this one? Totally well-deserved!

Cathy said...

I don't why I had missed this post!! Lovely sketches you did! I hadn't had time to see the second one, as you were only starting it when I left. It's wonderful!

And about your teaching in Lisbon at the symposium, I'm sure you'll be great, it's well deserved!