grandma’s sketchbook

Turns out I’m not the only Toronto based (or soon to be), OCAD attending (fingers crossed), name dropping, sketch-booking, self-portrait painting, female in my family.
Genetics are weird.
And this is really cool. But image heavy. So you’re forewarned and stuff.

My Grandma Pauline started sketching in this book in August of 1940.

“girl reading”

“old hobo”

I can’t read what it says, except for that this guy’s name is Vic.

Yep. That Glenn Gould. She knew him.

“Vic Waterman by himself”

“blue avon”
I’m not actually sure what that’s in reference to though.

“Harry Somers” was possibly the most famous composer to come out of Canada. His most famous composition was an opera about Louis Riel.

“city hallworker”

“Jacque Mol”

“Dr. MacMillan”
Probably Sir Ernest Macmillan, he was the conducter of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra during the Second World War.

“Colin 6 months”
This is a drawing of my dad when he was a baby.

This is the first of a series of small self-portraits my Grandmother drew in this book.

This is my favourite self-portrait. I love the deep black collar and the way she used unexpected splotches of bright colours.

This is the last self-portrait, and the last entry in this book. It is probably the most realistic portrait of the three.