Been drawing people’s portraits in public spaces for years but it’s been mostly in secret – they haven’t known. The last two Saturdays I have painted peoples portraits at a couple of arty markets (Mayton Street Festival and The Dandy Lion Market). At the first market I tried to involve the sitter in the art making – a partnership of creativity – ‘Draw yourself in the mirror while the artist draws you’. Everybody shied away and it was only me doing the painting. They were playful and colourful 3 to 5 minute portraits with inks on decorative paper.
It was nerve racking having people watch but fun to produce quick and affordable portraits and another way of exploring and displaying possible roles of an artist. I really enjoy talking to the sitters and hearing snippets of their story. It was their time – I hope they left with an interesting experience as well as a portrait. I will definitely be doing this again.
Can I add street artist to my repertoire?
