ATC World - Art Medium Series - Pencil

While I sit and wait for this old machine to do something, I sometimes sketch .......

I sketched out a couple of scenes from my memories of Africa, never thinking they would be anything other than a few memories.

However, Resi chose this subject for one of the swaps this month so I dressed them up a bit and added another and posted them off.

This is a view of an Artist's stall which was opposite one of our B & B in Ibadon.  I loved the paintings and always snatched a quick look as we drove past.  One day we left the compound and walked along to have a closer look. 

There were lots of horn hooting and calling out to us and waving but it was good to be able to look at all the paintings up close.



Along the roads in all the towns and villages women set up their stalls, selling everything that can be sold.  

Tomatoes were often piled up on plates and laid out on tables.  The women, with babies strapped to their backs, carried on their chores, washing, cooking etc.  while they waited for customers.  These stalls brought a shock of colour to the scene.

One of the hazards of the road from Lagos was 'bandits' and I feel very blessed that nothing serious happened to us.  The only sign usually that there were checkpoints ahead was a few branches strewn across the road, so that the cars had to edge into a single lane to avoid the branches.  We were normally waved through when it was explained we were missionaries but on our last visit there was no warning.  

A boy ran out into the road and we had to stop to avoid hitting him, he told the Pastor some story and then guided us off the road.  We were taken to a clearing and held at gunpoint while our driver and our host Pastor negotiated with 'bandits'.  It was unnerving at the time, but sometimes God takes us to places where all we can do is pray to Him and depend on Him for we are weak in our own strength.  We were released and continued on our journey.

These are my three pencil ATCs.
UPDATED: 5th August 2013
I have received these swaps today -



A beautiful dark abstract, looks as though it has been created with chalks, gorgeous!
Thank you Christi

This great knight, in armour and with his pencil in his hand!  Soooo funny!

Thank you Kay

This one is a magical one, softly shaded and coloured.  
Thank you Becky.