Drawings and text by Deborah Levine Farrow
Architect, OAA, FRAIC

This post is part of our summer 2018 blOAAg series, Summer Sketches: Capturing the Essence of Architectural Ideas. 

In January 2016 I began my ARtProject. The project began as a challenge to myself to draw, paint, or sketch a few times a week. No longer tied to an architectural practice, or drawing for work I wanted to return to pencil in hand to capture my observations. My McGill University School of Architecture training had included drawing classes, and two summer sessions of Sketching School. Drawing for school had the added pressure of marks and being good enough, and drawing for work was time sensitive with never enough time. The ARtProject objective: practice, not to be perfect. The sketches included here are not of projects that I have been involved with professionally, rather they are reflections of the built environment as experienced; a collection of my travel journals and entries that I share on my webpage.

Bronson Street, Ottawa

Oueen's Lane, Oxford

Brasenose Lane, Oxford

Parliament Buildings, Ottawa

Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

The exercise of en plein d’air and urban sketching provides an opportunity to engage beyond the act of observing. The project encourages me to record my experiences in a space, from the curious passersby who approach to share their stories or comments, to the general atmosphere and architectural details. The activity is personal and the drawings are a reminder of the moments with pencil or brush in hand, the sights and the sounds.

To see more of my work please visit my page: https://debbiedraws.wordpress.com/