Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Joburg Carnival






A few of us sketchers still in Joburg over the holidays went into town to sketch the old year out on Monday at the annual Joburg Carnival. Groups of inner city residents, with the help of local artists and art students, make floats, dress up and parade through the streets. The procession got to our designated meeting place nearly an hour sooner than I thought they would. I was a bit early, so dashed over to where they were coming down the next street towards Nelson Mandela Bridge and scribbled off a couple of quick impressions. Luckily the parade ended nearby in Newtown, where we caught up with it and carried on sketching as the groups competed for best costumes, floats and performances. Onlookers crowded around some of the sketchers, fascinated, but blocking their view, and ran off to tell the subjects they were being drawn, who then came over to have a look. Quite chaotic, but lots of fun.


I took too many sketching implements and couldn't decide which to use - so a bit of a mixture here. I must learn to restrict my choices.

This and other possible New Year resolutions to follow, but in the meantime, I wish all my friends, followers and passers-by, all the very best for a happy, healthy, love and art filled 2013!

8 comments:

Vandy said...

You've really captured the fun in these. So dynamic. I really love the guy on stilts!

dinahmow said...

Looks like a great way to kick off a new year. Here's to more colourful fun!

Sadami said...

Happy New Year, Cathy!!
Great sketches capture the mood very well. Congrats! I wish you all the very best.
Cheers, Sadami

Unknown said...

Fun sketches to start the new year.

Cathy Gatland said...

Thanks Vandy, Dinah, Sadami and Sue - wishing you all a great New Year!

Polly Birchall said...

Happy New Year to you. Love these lively sketches, look liked you really enjoyed doing them.

RH Carpenter said...

Oh, I'm glad you didn't restrict your materials - so many different colors and marks on the page. How fun to share this little celebration with you by seeing your sketches. I especially liked the lady in the flower petal hat on the first sketch :)

http://carolking.wordpress.com said...

Love all of the sketches, but the ones that look like they were done in colored pencil are so fun.