Since opening its doors months ago, City Arts Gallery has hosted a weekly drawing club on Saturdays, welcoming the public to learn from the community.
TJ Walkup, who has worked in the creative industry all of his life, illustrates books in his free time from work as a videographer. Each Saturday, Walkup can be found working at the City Arts Gallery in Vallejo, where his own love of art led him to start the Saturday Drawing Club.
Walkup has frequented drawing clubs at various locations throughout the city over the years, but with an unpredictable schedule, nothing ever stuck. The club he hosts now is the perfect opportunity to not only hone his craft, but do so alongside other local artists.
The concept is simple. It’s free, there’s no sign up and people are expected to bring their own materials. That simple concept however, has managed to attract local artists.
“We’ve had people come from Benicia now on a regular basis,” he says.
The club has also attracted professional muralists in Vallejo, teenagers and just about everyone in between. “We’ve had incredible people come at all levels,” says Walkup.
Although artists are expected to bring their own materials, excluding any that could stain and spill such as ink, Walkup does have several books on drawing principles that visitors can peruse while they draw, so beginners can learn the basics.
“It’s easy and fun and meant to be encouraging,” said Walkup. “It’s not a class, however there are many skilled artists in the room and if you need help, they’re easily trading secrets.”
Events like the Saturday Drawing Club are important to any artist’s development, he says. “In my opinion,” says Walkup, “there’s no such thing as talent, just people who sat long enough and worked hard enough.”
Walkup says getting the perspective of other artists on his work is “essential.” It helps an artist to think outside the box and see things from a new angle. Walkup remembers one distinct time his daughter came in and added an element to one of his illustrations when he was struggling to finish. “I’m 54, or 53 at the time, my daughter was 13 and she helped me see something I couldn’t see,” he remembers.
Walkup hopes that the weekly club provides a space where others can find that community support and perspective as well. The Saturday Drawing Club will continue every Saturday for the foreseeable future. Anyone is welcome to attend, although minors must be accompanied by a participating adult.
The City Arts Gallery opened earlier this year and shows exclusively Solano County artists, with some special show exceptions, says Walkup.
If you go …
- WHAT: Saturday Drawing Club
- WHEN: Every Saturday, 12-2 p.m.
- WHERE: City Arts Gallery 420 Virginia St., Vallejo
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.timesheraldonline.com ’
