On Thursday 29th June we had an absolute blast celebrating 5 years of Sketch Appeal at Rich Mix! It was such a joy to be back there for the first time since the last time (March 2020), with our Colour Queen Sue Kreitzman!
Sue was joined by her Colour Walk co-leader Florent Bidois, who posed for a fun and fast-paced fashion sketching session led by legendary Artist & Tutor Sue Dray, whose red whip and tips kept everyone on their toes! Then three of our favourite muses posed together - Elizabeth, Florent and Sue - alongside with the colourful paper cake Sophie made in our first ever #sketchtherainbow instagram challenge! And THEN, a spontaneous, serendipitous and slightly surreal grand finale - featuring 5 fabulous muses (plus grasshopper!) to mark 5 spectacular years of Sketch Appeal!
Thanks to all who came and made it such a night to remember. And to all those many more of you who couldn’t make it but have supported and/or participated in Sketch Appeal over the past 5 years. You’re THE BEST!
“I’m going to say a few words…”
The last 5 years as Founding Director of Sketch Appeal have completely changed my life - how could I not “say a few words”? Inevitably nerves got the better of me, but I hope I made my main point - to thank everyone who has contributed to creating this incredible community around Sketch Appeal! What started as an idea for a magazine about drawing soon became a whole lot more. Sketch Appeal quickly became an empowering community of kind, kindred spirits - united by creativity, curiosity and playfulness.
Over the past 5 years we have proved that the power of creativity AND community combined can lead to great personal and social change. We have contributed to a change in the way that drawing is perceived and experienced. We’ve made it more accessible to a wider audience, and we’ve demonstrated its mental health benefits and social value. We’ve proved the connective power of portraiture - that drawing and being drawn brings us deeper empathy, fresh perspectives and new insights. Above all, we’ve proved that drawing is liberating and FUN - and that the wonky, non-dominant hand ones are the best! :)
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for helping me to build the thing that got so many of us through the most challenging (COVID) times of our lives - for helping me to activate the power of creativity and celebrate the joy of sketch!
Draw once and it will change your mood.
Draw regularly and it will change your mind.
Draw regularly with others, and it will change your world!
Here’s to the next 5 years of CHANGE!!
A few more Party pics…
Pics by Richard Kaby and Dulcie Ball (the good shots are Richard’s - he’s the pro!)