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Now Where Was I? A Sketchbook Memoir
Large-format illustrated memoir containing hundreds of pen, ink and watercolor drawings, urban sketches, biographical comics, and excerpts from the author's journals. Steven Reddy narrates his nomadic life through densely detailed on-location drawings as he leaves a 15-year teaching career to travel from Seattle to China, Bangkok, Singapore, Mexico and along Route 66 to his birthplace near Sidney, Iowa. Tying the illustrations together is a candid, self-deprecating narrative of the author's life.
Reprint available 2016 at https://www.etsy.com/shop/StevenReddy
Reprint available 2016 at https://www.etsy.com/shop/StevenReddy
292 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 9, 2015
Now Where Was I? is an amazing sketchbook from artist, teacher, traveler and writer Steven Reddy. This book was made possible by a successful Kickstarter campaign that ended in August 2013.
Steven Reddy has been drawing since 1979. This book features selected art and sketches from his over fifty sketchbooks, with the majority of the artworks featured coming from the last 5 years.
It's quite a thick book at 292 pages. The paper is quite good, but the paperback cover is warping already after one day.
About 80% of the book are his sketches, mostly coloured, there are some oil paintings, figure drawings and the rest are filled with either his very early or current comic strips.
His sketches are really delightful. There's sort of a cartoon-like simplicity to them but if you look closely they are actually quite detailed. They also come with quite a lot of commentary. It's very inspiring to learn about his life story and see where he is today. It's a book that you should peruse slowly so as not to miss any details.
The sketches are organized generally by locations and other topics, such as his son, teaching career, oil paintings and others. He draws mostly on location and some of the places included are Seattle, China, Bangkok and Singapore. I actually met him in Singapore, and saw his A4 spiral sketchbook which is like a printed book itself.
I highly recommend this book if you like sketchbooks, travelogues or just good art.
Steven Reddy has been drawing since 1979. This book features selected art and sketches from his over fifty sketchbooks, with the majority of the artworks featured coming from the last 5 years.
It's quite a thick book at 292 pages. The paper is quite good, but the paperback cover is warping already after one day.
About 80% of the book are his sketches, mostly coloured, there are some oil paintings, figure drawings and the rest are filled with either his very early or current comic strips.
His sketches are really delightful. There's sort of a cartoon-like simplicity to them but if you look closely they are actually quite detailed. They also come with quite a lot of commentary. It's very inspiring to learn about his life story and see where he is today. It's a book that you should peruse slowly so as not to miss any details.
The sketches are organized generally by locations and other topics, such as his son, teaching career, oil paintings and others. He draws mostly on location and some of the places included are Seattle, China, Bangkok and Singapore. I actually met him in Singapore, and saw his A4 spiral sketchbook which is like a printed book itself.
I highly recommend this book if you like sketchbooks, travelogues or just good art.
January 7, 2016
The author's Craftsy class literally transformed my art overnight, teaching me that I could in fact draw way better than I thought I could, so the decision to back the Kickstarter campaign for this book and the second volume, "This is then, that was now" was an easy one.
There is so much to love about this book. It's printed on high-quality paper and has the feel of a book that will stand the test of time and the inevitably frequent browsing. The writing is entertaining but always in service to the real star of the show, the art. There are sketches, cartoons, drawings and paintings here - way too many to count! - and even if you never read a word of the text, the book is worth the price just to look at the pictures.
I could go on and on, but I'm impatient to start on the second volume!
There is so much to love about this book. It's printed on high-quality paper and has the feel of a book that will stand the test of time and the inevitably frequent browsing. The writing is entertaining but always in service to the real star of the show, the art. There are sketches, cartoons, drawings and paintings here - way too many to count! - and even if you never read a word of the text, the book is worth the price just to look at the pictures.
I could go on and on, but I'm impatient to start on the second volume!
July 9, 2015
Because I follow Steven for a while I bought this book 'Now Where Was I' and was not be disappointed at all! Besides the many wonderful inspirational sketches, the book is full of personal anecdotes. Overall a lovely thick look- and read book, which I still watch regularly.
July 9, 2015
Steven Reddy is one of my favorite artists,so when I found out that he was publishing his first memoir, I was extremely excited!
This book is jam-packed with inspiring and beautiful drawings.
I keep this book close by as a constant source of inspiration and learning.
Any aspiring artist, or experienced artist as well as the "non-artist" will find beauty throughout the pages.
I can't wait for his follow-up book that will be available in 2016!
This book is jam-packed with inspiring and beautiful drawings.
I keep this book close by as a constant source of inspiration and learning.
Any aspiring artist, or experienced artist as well as the "non-artist" will find beauty throughout the pages.
I can't wait for his follow-up book that will be available in 2016!
July 10, 2015
Captivating book. If you love drawing, you'll find this book delightfully well done and will go back to it over and over again for inspiration. A gem in my library, for sure.
August 27, 2016
I loved Steven's art as well as his comments throughout the book. I own both books ("Now Where Was I?" and "This Is Then, That Was Now") and they aren't "regular" sketchbooks -- both are almost 300 pages so there's plenty of stuff there.
My wife is a graphic designer and she really enjoyed not only the art but the books material (paper, printing, cover, layout, etc), indeed very nice!
My wife is a graphic designer and she really enjoyed not only the art but the books material (paper, printing, cover, layout, etc), indeed very nice!
October 29, 2015
Mr. Reddy was a teacher at my son's school which is how we learned of his book. We bought it and have really enjoyed all the drawings. He is very talented and has a great style. I also really enjoyed the way he told his story through the drawings.
July 9, 2015
The best artist ever! :) Very delighted to find his books and backing the current kickstarter. I love his book and everything in it :) worth buying and keeping as a forever keepsake!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews