The Pencil Box - Featured Artists - December 2022

Serendipity by Alison Aaskow
9" x 12" colored pencil on Arches Hot Pressed Watercolour Paper

I have always been mesmerized with nature. How even the tiniest of creatures work cohesively to maintain the delicate balance of the planet. Honeybees are an essential aspect of the ecosystem. As a cattle rancher, I am blessed to be able to witness the importance of working collaboratively with biodiversity. This gives me the opportunity to view the world from a different perspective. I appreciate the smallest aspects such as a teaspoon of honey as a gift of nature. Each morning while enjoying a cup of tea I watch how the sun creates dances of light glimmering off my honey pot. As an artist I find intrigue and inspiration in all things and the challenge of drawing new textures entices me. The combination between the golden honeybee, the crystal pot, the wooden dipper and the delectable honey was just something that I had to capture creatively.

About Alison Aaskow:

Alison is a coloured pencil and graphite artist. She lives on a cattle ranch in Alberta, Canada with her husband Doug. Viewing the world through the eye of an artist, Alison can often be found snapping photos of inspiration for her next art piece while tending to cattle or riding her horses.


Dragonfly by Jon Davidson
210x160mm, colored pencil on DuraLar Draughting film

I have always been fascinated by the detail and variations in insects. The complexity of their bodies and variations in texture and colour on a single small insect seems endless. This complexity is the attraction for me as every piece demands new challenges and new experiments. Dragonflies in particular have an amazing allure, their colouring so geometric and bright they are almost the opposite of camouflage. Their large bodies lifted on ultra-fine lace wings seems incredible. In producing my Dragonfly drawing I wanted to capture the vivid geometric patterned body set against the natural softness of the ivy bed underneath. The main challenge was the wings where I wanted to see the fine lace structure but capture their transparency. For this I needed to make sure I had at least one final layer available at the end. Throughout history Dragonflies have had a fascination for humans bordering on the spiritual and I think that has helped with the popularity of this drawing. The reference was photographed by me in my garden after the dragonfly became trapped in my house.

About Jon Davidson:

Jon Davidson lives in the Lake District, UK and works with Coloured pencils and Acrylics. Drawn to coloured pencils because of the effects and detail possible, his main subjects are wild animals and insects.

See more at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078006013246


It Comes With Age by Landon Naffin
16 X 20 inches, colored pencil on Fabriano Artistico Hot Press paper

As a novice color pencil artist, I was on a Fall trip to participate in a two-day class. Seeking something interesting to work on when I returned home I ran across a neglected wreck on the edge of a woodlot behind a rural art gallery. The sunlight on the weathered patina of the old car presented a wealth of colors, textures and surfaces that cried out to be recreated on paper. I didn't take many photos and found I needed to combine a couple to get most of the front of the car into my work. First lesson learned: take lots of photos. Deciding to work in a large format presented a real challenge too but the results were well worth the effort and an excellent learning experience.

About Landon Naffin:

Landon was drawn to working in colored pencils in 2020 shortly after an inspiring visit to the Birds In Art Exhibition in Wausau, WI. He enjoys the opportunity to bring viewers a perspective and depth on subjects frequently overlooked in the pace and superficiality of life today.


Helping Hand by Shardul Amit Singh
7.5x11 inches, colored pencil on Saunders Waterford 300gsm Hot Pressed Block

This artwork shows an Olive Ridley hatchling about to be released into the sea. It is based upon a photograph taken by me during my stay in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The beaches of these islands are nesting grounds for various species of turtles such as the olive ridleys and the leatherbacks. However, nesting is tough time for these turtles as the eggs laid by the turtles deep within the sands are dug and feasted upon by the feral dogs and other birds. The forest department does a great job in conservation of these species by creating fences to ward off the preying animals. Once the eggs hatch, the hatchlings are released into the sea. The helping hand of the forest department goes a long way towards conservation of the turtles. The artwork is special for me in that it shows the human effort towards conservation of wildlife.

About Shardul Amit Singh:

The artist is a serving government official with a passion for the creative arts. Painting in Colored Pencils and photography take up most of his spare time. His artworks have found place in international art magazines of repute. He may be contacted on his Instagram account @artbyshardul.

See more at: https://www.facebook.com/shardulsart