Bigger isn’t always better

I took this photo in Vancouver airport on December 3rd when I was LAX bound. My obsession with artist’s trading cards has grown beyond any of my obsessions before. You might wonder what it is I like about them since drawing in such a small area can be a challenge, but that’s part of the charm for me. There’s also the fact that I can complete even the most detailed/complex card in a couple of hours and simple inked drawings can just take me an hour at that size. It’s also incredibly satisfying to see just how detailed I can get inside of 2.5×3.5″.

As you can see I was even soaking up my airport time with drawing another little card; and yes another wee squidlette. I won’t try to hide my fetishes! Oh and in case you’re the curious kind like me that flash of orange is the inside of my very fetching but large camera gear carry-on. The weird patterned background is nothing more than the horrid carpet in YVR’s USA terminal. What’s that? You’re not here to find out about airport décor?

Well, alright, I have some other cards to show you, a couple are even framed! Another thing I like about these wee cards is that they give me reign to try new permanent drawing subjects and I find them much more suitable to my general frame of mind than spending hours on something in my sketchbook. I’m travelling again on Thursday [to the cold and dark Yukon] and these are also my favourite new travelling companion. But, upon my return to some kind of normal life and routine I plan to try and draw a card a day as a little brain and finger exercise. Hopefully this will last longer than any other once-a-day habit I’ve tried to pick up. If so you’ll be seeing the fruits and I may even offer some for purchase.

Here’s just a few of those I’ve finished. All of these are done on Bristol board cards, but there are so many surfaces available cut to this size I might have to start experimenting…

If you’re a fellow artist and want to trade trading cards leave me a comment below [or email if you'd prefer] and we’ll work something out!