“Why has the pleasure of slowness disappeared? Ah, where have they gone, the amblers of yesteryear? Where have they gone, those loafing heroes of folk song, those vagabonds who roam from one mill to another and bed down under the stars? Have they vanished along with footpaths, with grasslands and clearings, with nature?”
The concept of the WALKIT sketching bag was born and the first prototype made by Cecilia Simonyi in July 2015. This special bag, designed for sketchers, illustrators, visual facilitators, field workers, explorers, and curious souls then went through a long iteration process, tested by 10 members of the Urban Sketchers’ community all over the world. Through the feedback of Liz Steel (Australia), Paul Wang (Singapore), Barbara Luel (Belgium), Riona Kuthe (Germany), Eduardo Bajzek (Brazil), Inma Serrano (Spain), Ian Fennelly (UK), Suhita Sirodkar (US), Tina Koyama (US) and Marina Grechanik (Israel) - thank you all - the final version of the Walkit sketching bag was developed.
©Cecilia Simonyi - All rights reserved.
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BE PRESENT…
We rush through many moments in our lives. The world goes fast, there’s a never-ending to-do list in our heads. It is becoming a real challenge to slow down and be present in the moment.
As an illustrator and sketcher I spend a lot of time on field. As a restless soul I travel a lot. And as a mother I spend a lot of time waiting… during flute lessons or volleyball trainings. Each of these situations are invitations to slow down and be present.
Sketching is a way to do this. To stop thinking about a hundred things. notice my breathing, look around. Arrive to single focus.
To sketch is to stop, open my sketchbook, and make sense of the world “one drawing at a time”. (Urban Sketchers’ Manifesto)
To sketch is to say no to the rushing pace of modern life. Anyone can learn it, and it has the power to bring a renewed joy and serendipity to your life while walking your hometown, or walking distant lands…
I made WALKIT sketching bags to help you arrive into this moment. And stay there, take a rest in it - for the time of a sketch.
Sketch easy…
The WALKIT sketching bag prioritizes simplicity and ease of access.
The best camera is the one that you have on you, accessible. You will then have a chance to take that photo that you just spotted.
A sketcher needs to be quick to draw - as things move and change constantly. Sometimes a subject is only there for a matter of moments…
The best sketching tools are the ones that you have right at hand and can take out without much hassle.
Hassle makes you think twice, and you might not make the effort to sketch.
Ease of access helps to MAKE that decision to stop and sketch - even if you only have 15 minutes while waiting for the bus, or before your child wakes up in the buggy…
WALK LIGHT…
The WALKIT sketching bag is a small pouch for sketching tools. You can wear on your hip or on your shoulder.
It is big enough to contain your essentials - up to 40 pens/pencils/markers, watercolour, brushes, water container, eraser… Its different sized pockets and loops offer organised space for your sketching tools - each one has its place, your hand can find them blindly.
At the same time it is small and lightweight - you hardly notice wearing it. It is comfortable - it actually becomes part of your clothing.
What does not fit - you don’t really need. Walk light.
Sketching is a statement. A statement that you belong to the tribe of curious, aware souls.
That you dare to slow down, observe deeply, see the world your way.
That you can allow to come close with the city you explore, to become part of it. That you are more than a rushing tourist, you are there to understand, and see the layers beneath.
Photo credits: Andrea Soós, Nóra Hunyadi, Gyula Simonyi. Respect their work, ask for the use of their photos, always credit the artists. Thank you.
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