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This morning, I sat on the packed train looking around for someone interesting who was relatively still to draw. My eyes landed on this lady. She was sat opposite me on the DLR train so that she was sideways on to me. Absolutely perfect! The first thing I was drawn to was the fact that she looked so cosy in her big puffa jacket. She appeared as though she was snuggling under her duvet. Very sweet. The second thing was her extraordinary mouth. She had very shapely lips, which I wish I could have captured from the front. Then her hair! It was slicked up in this little pony tail on top of her head. It reminded me of when I was a little girl. My mum used to do the same thing to my hair. Well I have two sisters. our mother used to tie our hair the same way when we were kids- usually when we were going out somewhere. Visiting relatives or something…

I was wandering if she was dreaming about something. Wandering what she was dreaming about and what extraordinary story she would tell if we were to talk. We all spend so much time engrossed in our own stories. Sometimes when I sit and think about the sheer volume of stores, of peoples lives happening all around me I get overwhelmed and intrigued all at the same time. Life, time, it just keeps on moving on. It is important to be present is the moment to witness it. At times like this, when I am sketching someone secretly while they sleep, daydream, text or read, I feel like I am truly present.

This morning, I was sitting on the bus minding my own business, sketchbook in hand, looking around for someone interesting to sketch. My usual modus operandi on buses these days… Anyway, as if by magic, this elegant looking Sikh man got on and sat right opposite me. The way he moved and the way he sat down was so elegant, it was as if I was watching royalty. He was fascinating. He sat down almost as if he was posing for me- but he could not have been because he did not even glance in my direction. I could see that he would probably be getting up pretty soon, so I attempted to sketch him as quickly as possible. I was right of course, and he did get off quickly, so I had to improvise the rest, as is usually the case on public transport.

In the evening, I went to an exhibition called Russian Women in art today. It was at the Albermarle Gallery in Mayfair, London. As usual, the gallery was packed. I did not know quite what to expect, but the work was beautiful. It was like an explosion of colour in there. I took some photos with my not so smart smart phone. Anyway, not long after I arrived, I saw Joe Machine. I have been wanting to interview him for Art Success for some time because I adore his work and am absolutely fascinated by his story. I walked up to him and asked him if he was indeed Joe Machine and of course, he was. He was with his wife and we all hit it off. What a beautiful couple. Suffice to say, I spent most of the evening with the two of them chatting and giggling over champagne. They made my night and to top it off, Mr Machine kindly agreed to an interview :-). Joe is represented by the Vernon Lushington gallery.

I also met Roy Schammell. He is a world renowned stunt man who has worked on classic films such as Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange, Dr Who and Alien. Another lovely, smiley man.

On the way home, I saw another Sikh man on the bus with the most amazing profile. I had to sketch him too. Very quickly I might add.

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Half Sized Blog Element (Multi Author Style)

Sleeping on the Morning Train

Royalty on the Bus and Meeting Joe Machine

Sleeping on the Morning Train

Royalty on the Bus and Meeting Joe Machine

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Sleeping on the Morning Train

Royalty on the Bus and Meeting Joe Machine

Adelaide Damoah

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