The Pencil Box - Featured Artists - June 2025

I’m wrapping up the final piece in this series, and wow what a ride it’s been! Each one is based on the incredible photography of Gillian Merritt, and it’s been such a blast bringing them to life in colored pencil. The splash of water in every shot totally drew me in. I’ve been working on black Colourfix for most of this series. It was one of the first surfaces I ever tried, and even now I love the challenge. It really makes the colors pop, even though it keeps me on my toes! I think this is one of my favorites, it seemed to create itself with little effort.

KIMBERLEE FARNHAM:

A self-taught colored pencil artist from Michigan, she’s been a business owner, teacher, and master juggler of work and family. She began drawing again in her mid-forties and returned fully in 2023, finding joy, peace, and purpose in the creative process.
Facebook: Kimbascpart



Daily Dose of Sunshine by Nancy McCabe
10x8 inches, colored pencil on Graphix Drafting film

My senior cat Molly in a favourite pose - belly up, rub please, with squinting, smiley eyes. She absolutely loves everybody! She has the most beautiful coat. Soft, thick and plush, and in sunlight her fur has a gorgeous hint of greyed lavender. She unfortunately has an eye condition that has changed the shape of her pupils, but so far thankfully has not affected her vision. I really enjoyed the challenge of replicating the texture and colour of her fur in this portrait. For the curtains, I used a technique of blending oil pastel to create a thin wash of colour. This underpainting helps to recreate the transparency of the curtains, and I used artistic license to change their colour!

NANCY MCCABE:

After a 30-year career in communications and graphic design, Prince Edward Island artist Nancy McCabe has returned to her first love of capturing the natural world around her through her art. Working predominately in colour pencil and mixed media, she offers custom portraits and commissions.
Facebook: Nancy McCabe Portraits and Fine Art



Brightest Blue Eyes by Pam Thompson
21cm x 29cm, colored pencil on Graphix Drafting Film

When I saw the photo I saw he was an older man obviously but I was drawn the his bright blue eyes which are beautiful. You may be older, but it’s the same person inside seeing the world through the same eyes. You are only as old as you feel.  I absolutely loved drawing this, it was quite a challenge, his hair on the dark background, all the colours in his skin, trying to make the drawing quite realistic.  I was so pleased with the result and it really made me smile. Drawing really is my therapy, it keeps me well. I’ll sit and draw, listen to music or put on a comedy in the background, it takes me to a different place and and issues in life just melt away.

PAM THOMPSON:

A coloured pencil disabled artist from Scotland.  I used to work in the mental health field, art therapy was part of my role. I now practice what I used to preach, drawing really does keep me well since diagnosis or MS and a brain tumour.



Buzzing by Sylvia Holyhead
24x30 cm, colored pencil on Pastelmat

This picture of a Bumble bee is special for so many reasons. Such tiny little creatures, with a short lifespan, are crucial to our environment. They symbolize the beauty and fragility of nature while highlighting biodiversity. They go about their daily tasks, morning till night, pollinating our vegetation. They will do no harm unless harmed. This picture captures a moment in the life of a humble bumble bee as it heads to some flowers to pollinate. Always busy, resting in nature’s environment, only when tired.  A beautiful reminder to us all… Do what we can to better the world. If you are tired and life gets too busy or crazy, get out into nature to recharge and to see the beauty of life all around you… Please, go take a moment to smell and rest amongst those flowers! Life is precious and short.

SYLVIA HOLYHEAD:

Sylvia is an artist who lives in Victoria, B.C. Canada. She has enjoyed being creative her entire life. Having used many different mediums in designing her artwork, she has recently discovered Colored Pencils. These have now become her favorite means to create portraits and drawings of all kinds.