One of the many challenges of changing careers late in life is finding like minded friends in your chosen careers. Through law school, past jobs, and trade associations, I know many lawyers and colleagues in the international trade field. And I have many friends who play competitive tennis with me - but who are not, generally, artistic.

Becoming an artist has been largely a matter of solitary practice and online learning for me, though I have been participating in a local drop in life drawing session on a semi-regular basis. As I enjoy urban sketching, I have participated in a few urban sketching meet up events, but it is difficult making time for these events.

So, one way I have formed my own community of artists who provide me with inspiration and support is to follow artists on Instagram. There are so many wonderful artists on Instagram who post a wide range of art on a daily basis! Here are some of my favorites:

My Teachers (largely online):

@vinganapathy - Vin Ganapathy

@wagonized - France Van Stone

@lapinbarcelona - Lapin

@freekhand - Miguel Herranz

@suhitasketch - Suhita Shirodkar

@paulheaston - Paul Heaston

@lizsteelart - Liz Steel

Urban Sketchers:

@jaykay2012

@paulwang_sg - Paul Wang

@parkablogs - Teoh Yi Chie

Other inspirational artists:

@valeriemafrica - Valerie Mafrica

@dilleenart - Dilleen Marsh

I know I'm forgetting a lot of artists. I'll add to this list as I remember them! How do you build a community of supportive artists? I'd love any other tips!

I just happened to be in Paris in time to attend the book signing of one of my favorite artists, Lapin. Lapin is a French mobile illustrator, urban sketcher, and Sketchbook Skool teacher living in Barcelona. I love his style and have learned so much from his Sketchbook Skool kourse. He is definitely one of my major influencers for my artwork.

On June 14th, Lapin was at Artazart, an amazing design and art bookstore in the 10th arrondisement in Paris, to sign his new book, paris je t'aime. We made the trip out to Artazart and took the Metro - getting off one the wrong stop, about a mile away from the shop. On the way, my 9 year old, Chloe, was wondering how many people would be in line for the signing and whether Lapin would invite us over to his house for coffee and show us his sketchbooks, etc. I warned her not to get her hopes up as that was not likely to happen.

We were one of the first to arrive and waited patiently for Lapin. In fact, Chloe bought a little book to illustrate while we were waiting. And I was lucky enough to pick up not only paris, je t'aime, but also one of Lapin's other books that I had been wanting, Barcelona, Modernisme, Beyond Gaudi.

After much waiting, we were able to get Lapin's signature and also mentioned that we will be going to Barcelona the next day. To my surprise and delight, Lapin offered to meet us there in two days for a sketch!

Lapin started this signature in Paris and finished it two days later in Barcelona.

When we met in Barcelona, Lapin drew Chloe and me!

In our copy of the Barcelona, Modernisme, Beyond Gaudi copy

I had told Lapin when we sat down that I was showing Miguel Herranz's Sketchbook Skool's lessons the day before since Miguel was sketching El Born's Cultural Center, right where we were meeting. Lapin called Miguel and asked him to meet us as he lives very nearby in Barcelona. Miguel is an amazing illustrator and Sketchbook Skool teacher, so I was very excited to meet him and have the opportunity to discuss art and share sketchbooks with him as well!

It was so much fun to share my sketchbooks with them and to view theirs. We also talked a lot about art and what they are working on (Lapin has issued 5 books this year! and Miguel just completed one). I also tried to draw Lapin, but it was very hard for me to do so while we were talking. So, I started this at our meeting and finished it later.

Lapin's card with his self-portrait is affixed above  my drawing. — Lapin's card with his self-portrait is affixed above my drawing.

Meeting Lapin and Miguel was the highlight of my trip. And afterward, Chloe told me, "I told you so, Mom!"

A Virtual Community of Artist Friends

Highlight of My Trip!