Sunday, November 2, 2008

North Africa Trek

Today I’m leaving for a month-long sketching expedition to North Africa. My traveling companion is the writer/adventurer Alan Dean Foster. I first got to know Alan over 20 years ago when I painted covers for his science fiction novels. Later he wrote two novels in the Dinotopia universe.

Over the years Alan has sent me postcards from places like Timbuktu, Pitcairn Island, Great Barrier Reef, Papua New Guinea (above) and Oouagadougou. This time I’m thrilled to be joining him. I’ll be researching a couple of different projects and sketching in watercolor and gouache. We’re going first to Malta, and then Tunisia and Morocco.

I’m leaving the laptop home with my wife Jeanette, who will be posting regularly to the blog, using content that I worked up in advance. Maybe she will share a few of her own sketches. If I can figure out the tech, I’ll try to send home some pictures from Internet cafes along the way before returning on November 26.
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19 comments:

  1. Patrick DizonNovember 2, 2008 at 5:48 AM

    Man...I would love to travel the world someday and just sketch, sketch, sketch.

    Take care, sir!

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  2. dragonladychNovember 2, 2008 at 6:05 AM

    That sounds like a wonderful project! Can't wait to see the results.

    And yes, please, Jeanette, show us some of your sketches! I really enjoyed seeing some here a while ago!

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  3. innisartNovember 2, 2008 at 7:34 AM

    Have a wonderful trip!

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  4. Erik BongersNovember 2, 2008 at 8:54 AM

    Have a nice journey Mr. Gurney.
    Do inform us which colonies you have established.

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  5. BrianNovember 2, 2008 at 9:07 AM

    Have a safe trip.

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  6. Michelle JohnsonNovember 2, 2008 at 9:40 AM

    Oooh! That sounds fun. Have a safe and wonderful trip!

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  7. J MNovember 2, 2008 at 9:43 AM

    wishing you a very happy (and productive) trip,

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  8. AnonymousNovember 2, 2008 at 11:27 AM

    Wow, that´s great! One day I´ll do that too! But for now, I am "spiritually" with you on your journey. 8)

    I wish you a lot of fun, splendid weather to enjoy, nice meetings to behold, exciting places to visit, tons of new sketches to draw...and I recommend to have a lot of coca cola (or something equivalent) with you, just in case. ;)

    Cheers

    Álandiras

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  9. arecolNovember 2, 2008 at 12:55 PM

    Jeannette Bonjour
    Ferez-vous des croquis de chevaux
    s'il vous plait
    merci

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  10. BethNovember 2, 2008 at 1:24 PM

    Wow, that is *so* cool! I hope you have a great time.

    Beth

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  11. Randall EnsleyNovember 2, 2008 at 5:51 PM

    Good Luck on your journey.

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  12. VictorNovember 2, 2008 at 8:15 PM

    I'm curious as to how you fund your various excursions. Are you getting paid for your Africa trip or are all expenses coming out of your own pocket?

    Either way, have a great time!

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  13. Terry DanielsNovember 2, 2008 at 10:40 PM

    Safe journey and good atmosphere. We look forward to the results!

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  14. Jeanette JobsonNovember 3, 2008 at 4:57 AM

    Now that will be an adventure. I'll be watching to see what delights come out of your trip. Stay safe.

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  15. NathalieNovember 3, 2008 at 5:43 AM

    Have a safe and inspiring trip!
    And I second everyone else who posted they would love to see more of Jeanette's work. ^_^

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  16. UnknownNovember 3, 2008 at 11:29 AM

    What? I feel like you just stepped into one of your books. Can't wait to see the artistic results of this.

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  17. DavidNovember 3, 2008 at 12:06 PM

    That's wonderful! I recently returned from east africa and filled several sketches. I'm green with envy- Have a great time. If you get a chance tell me what you think of my African Diaries as I am a big fan of your work.
    http://www.dgderrick.com/journal

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  18. Jen ZNovember 4, 2008 at 10:13 AM

    Oh wonderful - I hope you have a safe and exciting trip! Take care and hello to Jeanette, please do fill in on the Gurney journey, since you're one too. :D

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  19. - Paul HastingsNovember 9, 2008 at 1:59 AM

    Rock on dude, we'll be looking forward to some great African sketches.

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