Written by Today, I’m finally getting to feature one of my Twitter friends who I met during the wonderful #DrawingAugust challenge a couple months back, Minnie Teckman, from Northampton, England. It was such a fun experience, and the best part was getting to meet talented artists like Minnie. The images above are just a sampling of her doodlewashes from this challenge, so be sure to follow Minnie on Twitter or Facebook for more!
Minnie has been drawing and painting all of her life and decided, at the age of 34, to go back to University and study for a Fine Art and History of Art Degree. During the course, she learned many theories of art and got plenty of time to produce a body of work in oils, earning a 2:1 BA (with honors!).
“Once I was out in the big wide world again,” says Minnie, “I realised that my journey was just beginning. The skills I had learnt during my degree were more theory based than practical. I needed to learn so much more about techniques. So, I embarked on a drawing project.”
Minnie began ‘Project Dogwalk’ which involved drawing local dog walkers with their dogs, and was a great way to get involved in the community. She used to be a veterinary nurse, so found the subject familiar and inspiring. You can see more of this wonderful project on her Project Dogwalk website!
From then on, she spent many years developing her drawing skills, exhibiting when she could. “It was during this time that I discovered Twitter and the art community that exists there,” she says. “I have taken part in #DrawingAugust for the last 3 years. #DrawingAugust is for anyone, just draw something every day and post it onto Twitter using the tag. You can then see everyone else’s inspirations.”
This year Minnie added watercolor and ink to her sketches and she’s also returned, once again, to painting with oils. “Sketching outside is important to me,” she says, “and I take part in a weekly sketching group ‘Drawing Outside Northampton’.” She’s married and has an 8 year old daughter, and because of her love of animals, of course, two cats and a dog. She spends the rest of her time painting and drawing animal portraits.
To develop her skills, Minnie regularly attends courses with artists that she admires and she posts regularly on Twitter and Facebook, so be sure to follow her there! “I try to create something every day,” she says, “and find that my work is constantly evolving.” And what a pleasure to watch your work evolve friend! Thanks so much for sharing your amazing talent with us, Minnie, and we can’t wait to see more!
Kudos to Minnie for sticking with her dreams even if it means pursuing them later in life (I can relate to that!)! You will need to tell us more about #DrawingAugust, Charlie! 🙂
Yes! So inspiring! And #DrawingAugust was what got me really sketching again! It only comes once a year though sadly. It’s such a great community of artists and hasn’t grown too big to be effective in meeting new people like #Inktober.
Well, keep us posted; I might join in next August!
No “might”…you’ll do it with me. This is already decided. 😉lol
Yes, Sir! Boy, you don’t take no for an answer, do you? LOL! x
Nope…never been good with No’s… Lol
A well-known kid lit author (the awesome Kwame Alexander) told us that his motto is “always say yes” because you don’t want to shut out any opportunities. 🙂
That’s sounds about right! I live by that advice!! Hehe …and you should too, that’s why you’ll be doing DrawingAugust with me when it comes again. 😉
You are sneaky to use my own words against me! You’re lucky you’re such a sweetie I don’t mind it when you do. 😀 I will definitely do DrawingAugust! x
Hehe…those were darn good words! And yay!! 👍🏻😃😃
It will be fun! It’s always fun to do art with friends! x
Such a lovely story…. Wonderful doodlewashes too 🙂
Awesome! So happy you liked Minnie’s work Nicole!
Loved reading this!
Awesome! Glad you liked it Kari! ❤️😃
I love dogs I have 3 of my own. Glad to know about the project. Very nice art work.
Awesome! Wow…3? That is some dog love! 😃👍🏻Glad you liked the feature! 😉
Enjoyed Minnie’s art very much, Charlie! 😊 Fun to see what people have a passion for in their art! 🎨💖
Excellent! Glad you enjoyed Minnie’s work Jill. She’s fantastic! 😃👍🏻
Thanks so much for sharing, Charlie!!! Really enjoyed this portrait and Minnie´s art! 😊💕
Awesome!! I’m so glad you enjoyed this one Ann!! ❤️😃
Great art, love the art attitude. Wonderful feature, thank you Charlie (I don’t know how I missed this segment).
Glad you found it! And liked it! Hehe…yay! 😃
Doing drawings and watercolor pulls from a place within that I didn’t know existed before.
What an idea! Project Dogwalk sounds fun!