Sketchbooks in Seattle
James Hobbs, Pike Place Market, Seattle
In July 2024 I attended Sketcher Fest Edmonds, just north of Seattle, where I had been invited to talk about my brand new book, Sketchbook Reveal. Along with that, there was time to lead a session on drawing with thick pens, take part in artists’ talks, and explore Seattle and a small part of the Pacific North West. Thanks to the Sketcher Fest team for inviting me, and to all the attendees and other artists who were taking part for their warm welcome and for making it so enjoyable.
My talk at the Graphite Center, Edmonds, Washington, on 19 July. Photo: Nick Ng
The talk on Sketcher Fest’s first night was a rare chance for me to describe my relationship with drawing and with sketchbooks over the 40 years I have been using them (it’s 40 years in November, to be more precise). The way I use sketchbooks has changed over that time, from using them as a resource to develop into paintings in the early days, to surviving and healing over the extraordinary time of Covid, to recording big life events, such as the death of my dad. Preparing for the talk led me to consider my earliest influences (primarily the photographer Josef Koudlelka, and the artists Frank Auerbach and Dennis Creffield).
It was also chance to talk about how social media doesn't always tell the full story of an artist’s work, how we inevitably carefully choose what we post so that it suggests our sketchbooks are filled with pristine, polished work. By reproducing in Sketchbook Reveal every single page in seven of my sketchbooks, the aim is to be honest about everything that is in them.
Signing copies of Sketchbook Reveal at Sketcher Fest Edmonds. Photo: Nick Ng
After the final day of Sketcher Fest, a sketchbook fair at the Waterfront Center overlooking Puget Sound, I had time to explore more of Seattle and go walking through the forest to the waterfalls along the Snoqualmie River, east of the city, with fellow artists Eduardo Bajzek and Eleanor Doughty. It was a fantastic end to a very enjoyable visit. My thanks go to Gabi Campanario and the Sketcher Fest Edmonds team.
To find out more about Sketchbook Reveal, or to order a copy, visit the Sketcher Press website.
My thanks to Nick Ng for the photos of Sketcher Fest Edmonds. Read his report in My Edmonds News.