I happened to have my sketchbook handy as I watched the final moments of last season's football on TV.
I live in the North East of England and I was struck by the bitter rivalry between the region's two teams. Newcastle (relegated from the Premier League the previous season) were already champions and had secured their promotion back to the top flight. Sunderland, conversely, we're on their way down. I imagined representing each team (indeed, each City) as a single fan. One travelling upwards, the other passing him on the way down. I did a quick sketch, posted on facebook and sat back to see if there was any response. The idea was not necessarily to show the art but, maybe, start a discussion.
Incredibly, I was inundated with requests for the image. I ended up selling prints, producing two hand drawn 'copies' for other customers and even had a request from the local newspaper (The Northern Echo) to use the image in an article! It's funny, but there was never any original intention to sell the image. Unexpectedly, it just seemed to strike a chord.
If I had known, I would have posted something far more polished. Maybe a painting, or more considered drawing. Certainly, not a five minute sketch, ripped from a book! Then again, if I had, it might not have been as popular. So I guess I'll never know.
I live in the North East of England and I was struck by the bitter rivalry between the region's two teams. Newcastle (relegated from the Premier League the previous season) were already champions and had secured their promotion back to the top flight. Sunderland, conversely, we're on their way down. I imagined representing each team (indeed, each City) as a single fan. One travelling upwards, the other passing him on the way down. I did a quick sketch, posted on facebook and sat back to see if there was any response. The idea was not necessarily to show the art but, maybe, start a discussion.
Incredibly, I was inundated with requests for the image. I ended up selling prints, producing two hand drawn 'copies' for other customers and even had a request from the local newspaper (The Northern Echo) to use the image in an article! It's funny, but there was never any original intention to sell the image. Unexpectedly, it just seemed to strike a chord.
If I had known, I would have posted something far more polished. Maybe a painting, or more considered drawing. Certainly, not a five minute sketch, ripped from a book! Then again, if I had, it might not have been as popular. So I guess I'll never know.
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