The Pencil Box - Featured Artists - September 2022
Corresponding with the art gallery that is featured each month in Ann Kullberg's COLOR Magazine, The Pencil Box blog series will give artists a bit more space to share insight and inspiration about their colored pencil art. Make sure to check out FB group links at the bottom of this post. Call for entry is posted every month in participating Facebook groups - join in the fun and your artwork could be featured, too!
Cy by Carla René
9”x12” colored pencil on Fabriano Artistico Aquarelle extra-white hot-pressed 140-lb. watercolour paper
Cy Chimpanzee is the alpha male at ChimpsNW.org, and when he isn't busy leading his super-group of 9 chimps, he's busy browsing through all his magazines! But don't show him photos of gorillas...or flannel. He gets scared and sneers his lips. He is such a dynamic and benevolent chimp, and definitely a fan-favourite, so I knew I had to top myself and do something special of him for this year's “Hoot! Gala and Silent Auction” coming up on 9/16. I think the red hues bring out his alpha-maleness and make him more handsome than ever! I've been donating to this sanctuary since 2016, and besides gaining an interest in primatology, I push hard in educating the general public that Chimpanzees are critically-endangered and should never be kept as pets (it causes physical brain damage and is what makes them snap); used in biomedical research, or even used as print or TV models in their infant years. Just speak up when you see cards or ads using chimps, request that the store stop patronising an evil industry, and search out resources where you can report this. One voice DOES make a difference!
About Carla René:
After being homeless for 2-1/2 years and giving up, Carla's back in University pursuing double doctorates in Astrophysics & Maths. She's also getting her private pilot's license, and currently employs 2 whiny, co-dependent, maniacal and-she-swears-they-drop-acid-behind-her-back cat-studio-assistants that treat her as if she's the hired help.
See more at: https://www.glittercatstudios.com/
Nora Ramadan and Baby Aydin by Galal Ramadan
21” x 15 ½” colored pencil on Strathmore 500 Series Smooth Bristol Board
My daughter and grandson! I have not seen my daughter and her baby for a long time. I like to draw portraits with colored pencil. When I saw the original photo on Instagram, I like it so much I took a screenshot of it. On my computer, I edited the photo and made major changes on the layout to make a nice composition and enhanced colored and textures. I sent the artwork to her and It was a nice surprise to Nora and her friends. I received many beautiful compliments for this artwork. Soon I will frame it and give to her as a gift on the next trip to visit her.
About Galal Ramadan:
Galal Ramadan is a self-taught master colored pencil artist and photographer. He participates in solo and curated national and international exhibitions. He is teaching colored pencil classes at several locations in South Florida. He was born and raised in Alexandria, Egypt and resides in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA.
See more at: https://www.facebook.com/galal.ramadan.9003
Little Girl in big Blue Glasses by Leah Thompson
9”x12” colored pencil on Strathmore
It captures a moment in time in the life of my daughter. Rowan is our one and only, long-awaited child, which only seems to amplify all the little moments that I know will pass all too quickly as she grows up. She's always been very expressive—a girl of a million faces—and it's been incredible watching her personality develop and show in those expressions. I have always been very visual and keen on photography, so naturally I've captured thousands of pictures of my daughter's life moments on my phone. By drawing them, in a way, it helps me to give life back to a memory that would otherwise be buried in a photo gallery.
About Leah Thompson:
Leah started her color pencil journey in 2017 while living in Korea, where her husband was stationed in the Army. She spent many hours teaching herself how to draw through videos and practice. After taking a few years off following the birth of her daughter, she was recently able to reignite her passion for art, especially drawing portraits.
See more at: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistLeahNThompson
A Discovery in the Boneyard by Patricia Adams
9x12 inches, colored pencil on Strathmore mixed media paper
I found an old Plymouth car sitting next to an antique barn on a back road to Pigeon Forge, TN. I had no idea what I was looking at, as I haven't had much experience in antique vehicles. As I rounded the corner; the emblem, the rusty tag, and the weathered paint captivated me. I fired off a few shots and quickly left as there was an old man behind me, shaking his fist saying, “No photos allowed.” I turned, smiled, said thank you and was on my way to find more treasures. I have since done some research, and it appears that this emblem was used on a 1946, 47, and 48 Coupe. This photo was taken about six years ago when I was a beginner photographer. It just recently came up in my Facebook memories and I decided to see if I could replicate it and make it look realistic.
About Patricia Adams:
Patricia has always loved to color and draw. She took art classes in middle and high school and graduated in 1990 from the University of Central Florida with a BS in graphic design. Today, Patricia works in the engineering department of one of the local theme parks in Orlando, making magic and sprinkling pixie dust wherever she goes.
These artworks are published in the SEPTEMBER 2022 issue of COLOR Magazine.
FEATURED ARTWORKS FROM OUR FACEBOOK PARTNER GROUPS