I didn’t have time to sketch at the airport in Providenciales – it was very crowded and it wasn’t long after I got through security that we boarded. Instead I sketched this in Toronto between flights. In this part of the airport there are these peculiar shaped tables – like blue stars and tree trunks. Given the chaos around the world it was surprisingly normal at the airport. In case you are wondering I have already made it back home safely!
Sun-15-Mar-2020
Here is another sketch done on my way to Turks and Caicos – I did this one while I was waiting for my flight in Toronto airport. I was hoping to draw a plane and wandered around trying to find a seat near a window (and near my departure gate) where I could see one. When I finally did, I sat down, drank my coffee and looked up to see the plane (not mine, just the one I had hoped to draw) had left. So I turned round and drew what I could see in the other direction.
Sun-1-Mar-2020
Here is another sketch done on my journey back home from TCI to the Philippines. I travelled through Canada and had fun (not) with my baggage. It’s a long story…when I checked in I was told that my bags would be checked all the way to Manila. But when I got to Toronto several officials told me that I must collect my bags….which then didn’t show up on the carrousel. So then I was told to go out through customs and to the other terminal and ask there where my bags were when I checked in for the next leg. Staff there were a bit vague and it was only until the moment I got on the plane that they could confirm my bags were loaded. What fun! So this sketch was drawn while I was grumbling and annoyed!
Sat-7-Dec-2019
On Sunday morning after sleeping overnight in an extortionately expensive airport hotel I was back in the Toronto departure area heading off to Providenciales. Sitting down to breakfast I could only find a table with some dirty plates still on it…and so much left-over food. What a shame…apparently 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted each year causing economic losses and a huge impact on the environment…perhaps the person who left it was in a hurry to catch their flight?
Sun-10-Nov-2019
Here is my second sketch done in Toronto – late at night just before boarding. This is the plane I got on…and as soon as I saw what they have painted on it, I just had to sketch it. I have no idea why they have painted the love bus on the plane, should I be embarrassed or just laugh?
Sat-19-Oct-2019
I drew this in transit – but not in the departure lounge. The system in Canada means that even if you are on an international connecting flight you have to exit, collect your bags and check in again. Thant meant waiting several hours for the check in desk to open…and only one cafe to sit at. The airport has a light train that connects between terminals (why don’t we have that in Manila?) and the city…but of course it moved too fast for me to draw it!
Sat-19-Oct-2019
After a sleepless night in the airport hotel in Toronto I was desperately in need of a coffee and some breakfast. I chose where to sit so I could sketch these peculiar light trees (the only way I can think of describing them) – they are like huge fluorescent tubes in vague tree shapes. I’m sure I’ve sat here before on my way to TCI but the decor and fancy lighting in this airport seems to change each time I am there.
Sat-14-Sep-2019
Anyone who has travelled through Toronto Pearson Airport is likely to be familiar with this sight – a giant sculpture by the American artist Richard Serra. Its a huge steel installation that you walk through as you get into the departure area. Apparently it’s so big it had to be installed before the terminal walls and roof could be constructed! You feel small as you walk through the middle of it (which I didn’t see anyone doing…maybe they think you aren’t allowed to) – all you can hear is your footsteps echoing back at you.
Mon-29-Apr-2019
Here is another of the sketches I did on my long journey home from Turks and Caicos to the Philippines. Much like on the journey out there, I had a long layover in Toronto so I chose a complicated view to sketch and took my time. This latticed dome covers a bar and food stand in the airport – quite extravagant for something as simple as that – but without these sculptural interventions I guess the airport would be pretty dull.
Tue-2-April-2019