Last week I was in Mahendranagar, way out on the far western border of India and Nepal. The above sketches were done “live” by the Maiti Nepal outpost, where Maiti staff watch for suspicious looking folks who they think might be attempting to traffick girls across the open border. Just as I arrived, one of these very cases happened right in front of me – the young boy and the girl had two very different stories and it reeked of foul play. For more sketches from my recent trip, or a glimpse at my graphic novel in process on human trafficking in Nepal, click on the button in the right hand sidebar (it’s $5 for access, payable via Paypal).
Continuing my experiment of posting from the field, this was sketched directly in ink while interviewing Sharada this morning. For background on the Tharu community, hit “previous” below and read yesterday’s post. I’m finding time and time again that drawing live creates a curiosity and connection with the subject that I just don’t get when I take their photo. It just feels more respectful, and somehow allows the shyer girls I talk to to come out of their shell as I draw them. Especially as they see me with pens in my mouth, a watercolour set on my lap and ink all over my fingers. Off to Mahendrenagar on the far west border with India first thing tomorrow to see just how porous it really is.
Continuing my experiment of posting from the field, this was sketched directly in ink while interviewing Sharada this morning. For background on the Tharu community, hit “previous” below and read yesterday’s post. I’m finding time and time again that drawing live creates a curiosity and connection with the subject that I just don’t get when I take their photo. It just feels more respectful, and somehow allows the shyer girls I talk to to come out of their shell as I draw them. Especially as they see me with pens in my mouth, a watercolour set on my lap and ink all over my fingers. Off to Mahendrenagar on the far west border with India first thing tomorrow to see just how porous it really is.
Attention all Kickstarter supporters: a new update will be out tomorrow (complete with new rewards too).
As the chaos of moving to the other side of the world dies down, I can get back to covering the stories I’ll be looking into over the next few weeks. First up is a feature on the children at the Early Childhood Development Center, run by CNN Hero of the Year 2012 finalist Pushpa Basnet. Who also happens to be one of the most light-hearted and humble people I’ve met. Expect an in-depth comics treatment of some of the kids’ stories soon.
Breaking news: I just launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund my comics journalism project to investigate human trafficking in Nepal. Click here to watch my video intro to the project and read about how you can contribute.
Before you ask, the pastry Gemma’s holding in the last panel was a portuguese custard tart. And it was delicious. More on Nepalese trafficked survivors to Lebanon here.
Anything I’ve left out? Leave your suggestions in the comments. The doohickey in the top right hand corner is a lavalier mic and condenser for the iphone.
One omission I’ve just noticed: camping head light for drawing during electricity black outs, which apparently are pretty frequent in Kathmandu.
Aforementioned Kickstarter project is currently awaiting official approval, for launch this week (hopefully before I leave for Kathmandu on weds). The artwork attests to the challenge of penciling, inking and watercolouring on a airline tray table, flanked by two portly co-passengers. I’ll post the process photo tomorrow. Coming up: what tools I’m bringing on the trip, to satisfy your inner graphic journalism geek.