On my final night in Siem Reap, I walked its dusty streets alone, feeling outside myself.
Neon-lit bridges cast shimmering reflections on the canals below; backpackers and locals alike were beginning to filter into clubs; and on I walked, feeling like I was looking down at the country from above, like I could never understand what it went through, and is still going through.
I walked until I was lost, until I no longer knew from which direction I had come. And that’s when I saw them, glowing red lanterns strung one after another down a dark and narrow alley. I followed the lanterns until the end, where I sat on a swinging bench and pulled out my sketchbook.
By this point in my journey around Southeast Asia, lanterns had become a kind of motif – from those in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown to the large red lanterns sat outside Japanese temples – so much so that I had already decided on the title for this collection of travel sketches and sketch stories: Beneath the Lantern’s Glow. And when I sat on the swing that night in Siem Reap and looked up, I knew instantly that I was looking at this book’s cover.
There was a single round lantern directly above my head, floating over two banana trees and a yellow bicycle: each a fitting symbol of my six weeks in the region. On a night when I’d felt entirely disconnected from the city, I was suddenly right where I needed to be.
I was beneath the lantern’s glow.
* * *
It’s crazy now to think that almost four months ago to the day, I first got the idea to sketch my way around Southeast Asia and Japan. Crazy only because of how much this project has evolved from what it was at the beginning, and from what I expected it to be.
I thought I would try and get a couple of sponsors (which didn’t happen); I thought I would publish three sketch posts a week (which sometimes happened); and I thought I would put together an eBook (which will happen…eventually!).
What I didn’t expect to happen was that I would spend several weeks following the journey’s end putting together an actual, physical book of 20 sketches from the trip – what will now prove to be my first official book (and the above story is even an excerpt from the introduction).
I also didn’t expect to put together an entire line of products inspired by the sketches – products like prints, sets of greeting cards, and even stationery featuring some of my favorite travel quotes.
All of which is to say – don’t ever discount those little seeds of a dream that drop into your head. You never know where they may lead, or what they’ll grow to be. If there’s anything these last four months have taught me, it is that the creative life requires many of the same qualities required in gardening: patience, consistency, dedication, hope.
It’s all about giving our seeds a chance to grow.
* * *
So here we are, six weeks after the trip officially ended.
Proof copies of the book are on their way from Amazon (!!!), cardstock and envelopes have been ordered and re-ordered (who knew figuring out what weight of paper to use would be such a hellish fun challenge), and I have learned an extraordinary amount about inDesign and PhotoShop in an extraordinarily short time (all thanks to my dear sister Brooke).
And, I am proud to say, the book itself will officially be for sale on Amazon two weeks from today – on Monday, the 8th of July – and the prints and cards will be available on Etsy.
But that’s not all (it never is, right?): To celebrate the upcoming launch, I’ll be giving away two copies of the book to two lucky readers, and each winner will also receive a little mixed media art set by Faber-Castell and a sketchbook (which even says ‘sketch’ on the cover – I couldn’t have designed it better myself).
Because if there’s anything I love more than sketching, it’s seeing other people sketching.
I want to keep the giveaway as simple as possible to enter, so all you need to do is:
- Sign up for my mailing list, either by entering your email on the right sidebar or by clicking on the mailbox sketch below.
- Leave a comment telling me you did so (or if you’re already signed up, let me know that in a comment instead).
So there you have it – now go enter the contest, cross your fingers, and get excited about Beneath the Lantern’s Glow hitting [virtual] bookshelves two weeks from today!
I just subscribed to your wonderful blog. I have enjoyed reading your posts over the past month or so. Truly enjoyed your sketches as well. Best of luck to you and your book!
Thanks so much, Cristen! I’m so happy to hear you’ve enjoyed the sketches, and I can’t wait to share the book with you soon 🙂
Candace, this is so amazing!!! I can’t wait to see it for myself. I love that you’ve been willing to take the turns in the road on the way to your finished product rather than trying to control the direction. Sometimes life has way better ideas ready for us, we just have to be willing to accept them. I’m sure it’s brilliant. Congratulations!!
Thank you so much, Carmel!! Your support means the absolute world to me. It definitely can be a little tricker to go with the flow of a creative project, but I’m hoping in this case it’ll be worth it 🙂 Thanks again and I can’t wait to see you in July!
I LOVE your blog and LOVE receiving updates via email… and in my Facebook newsfeed! If I receive one of these books I will hyperventilate for 24 hours straight! You are so talented and I can’t tell you how much I enjoy your work! xo
Sarah, I can’t tell you how much I laughed out loud to your comment – I dearly hope you won’t hyperventilate for *too* long if you win, but I am delighted to hear you’ll be so excited 🙂 Thanks so much for your support, it means a lot! Hope all is well in New Orleans.
This is so exciting! I’m already subscribed to your blog and enjoy reading every single post. Congrats on “Beneath the Lantern’s Glow” – can’t wait to see it!!
Hello again, Steph! It’s wonderful to hear you’re already subscribed – thanks so much for reading, and I can’t wait to share the book of sketches with you too!
I like the little preview you gave us, and I like that you’re encouraging other people to start sketching as well! I used to carry a sketchbook around with me when I first started travelling through Europe, but somewhere along the way I stopped doing so…I’m not really sure way. I think I need to pick that up again. 😉
Thanks, Audrey! I definitely *love* to see other people sketching – nothing makes me happier than when someone walks up to me as I’m sketching and starts drawing with me. I love that art can be such a force for connection around the world! I second you on how you need to pick your sketchbook back up again – do that, and then be sure to share a few sketches on your blog 🙂
Congratulations Candace for your first book! I adore travel sketch and yours is just awesome to look at. I have subscribed. Would really love to win this! Take care!
Thanks so much, Elisa! I love hearing that you adore travel sketches, and I really hope that you’ll enjoy this book as well – it’s been so much fun to work on 🙂
Congratulations Candace! When you wrote “Because if there’s anything I love more than sketching, it’s seeing other people sketching.”, I thought the task for the give-away would be to submit a sketch. And I was thinking – ‘Aha! I’ve got a chance here!’ 😉
Anyway, subscribed to the mailing list as well now! 🙂
Haha, I love that idea, Abhijit – that would have been a fantastic premise for the contest, but then I would have agonized over which sketches to choose – no doubt I’d love them all 🙂 I am actually hoping to do a call-out for sketches pretty soon for a “Summer’s Sketchbook” round-up post, so I dearly hope you’ll submit a sketch or two for that!
I just subscribed! Beautiful cover and story. I’ve enjoyed following along on your sketching adventure.
Wonderful! Thanks so much, Karen 🙂 I’m so grateful you’ve followed along this last adventure, and I can’t wait to share the details of my next sketching trip with you soon!
I’ve been OBSESSED with you blog for the past year. I’ve read every single post. And your blog has inspired me to not only dive back into my love of sketching again, but to pick up a camera and take pictures. Thanks! I’ve subscribed to your blog!
Thanks so much for saying hello, Taylor! I can’t thank you enough for following along and reading The Great Affair, and it has made my day to hear it’s inspired you to get sketching and photographing again – documenting the world through words and art is my passion and I love sharing that with others! Hope to hear from you again soon here 🙂
I just subscribed!! I absolutely love reading your stories. The way you describe the places you’ve been is absolutely priceless. I’ve physically been out of the United States once for my honeymoon 3 years ago so reading your stories allow me to have an idea of all the different places I need to experience first hand! ! Your sketches are amazing! Good luck with everything! Excited to read about the next place you’ll be visiting!!
Thank you so much, Shannon! I really appreciate your kind words and love what you said about being able to still travel outside the country through stories and sketches…that’s really fun to think about 🙂 I will indeed be sharing more details about my next sketching trip, so watch this space!
Candace,
I was so impressed to hear of you publishing a book. Your work is amazing and I have secretly aspired to be able to have your creativity of artistic expression. You will have great success for you are nothing more than Christ driven. I have subscribed to your blog and can’t wait to get my hands on your book!
Hello Lara! Thanks so much for your comment and kind words, they mean a lot. I am indeed so grateful to God for the opportunity to publish this book and share my love for travel and art at the same time 🙂 Thanks again for saying hello, and I hope you enjoy the book once it’s out!
So great to see your dreams realized and reshaped in beautiful ways! Would love to show E and E what their lovely friend Candace has been up to lately! Can’t wait!
Sylvia! It’s so wonderful to hear from you here. I really love and appreciate what you said about my dreams being reshaped, for that has definitely been the case. And it makes me so happy to think of Esme and Ella seeing the book! One day I will have to get to Korea to do a few sketches for them from there 🙂
Just subscribed! Your sketches are so pretty!
Thanks so much for subscribing, Megan! I’m so glad you enjoy the sketches 🙂
Signed up! Congrats on the book! 🙂
Yay! Thanks for subscribing, Brandee, and many thanks for your congratulations as well 🙂
Hello! This is so cool, I had liked your FB page recently because I have been so impressed by your work. And now the giveaway encouraged me to subscribe to your page here. Your book seems very promising and interesting. Congratulations 🙂
Hello Fazila! I definitely recognized you here from the FB page 🙂 Thanks so much for following along and subscribing – I really appreciate it! And I hope you’ll enjoy the book just as much once it’s out.
Hi Candace, I’m already signed up on your mailing list, and I always look forward to getting those updates! Congratulations on the book, your sketches are gorgeous! 🙂
Thanks so much, Marie! I’m delighted you enjoy the sketches, and I can’t wait to share the book with you soon 🙂
YES!!! So excited! I’m signed up for your mailing list already. Fingers crossed. XO
I’ve got my fingers crossed for you too, my friend 🙂 Thanks so much for your support with this, I love that it all started in Goa!! xox
Signed up! Girl, this project is so killer. Cannot wait to see the finished products.
Heads up, tho: the mailbox picture subscription link just links to the image itself, not the signup page!
Thanks so much, Naomi! I’m so glad you like the project, it’s definitely been heaps of fun to work on. And thank you thank you for the head’s up about the link – off to fix that right now! 🙂
Your words are inspiring and your sketches take me back. If I don’t win I will just HAVE to buy.
Great Job Candace x
Thanks, Will! That means so much to hear, and it’s exactly what I hope for my stories and sketches to be – both inspiring and transporting 🙂 Glad to hear you’ll still be getting the book even if the odds aren’t in your favor!
Dear lovely friend,
such a wonderful news on this sunny morning here in London. I am so proud of you and happy to know you. Well done with the new book, looks awsome and I can’t wait to flip through its pages. I am now keeping my fingers crossed for your new adventures (down with the pinguines would be nice, but am hoping to see you in London soon as well). Celebrate your huge success and keep on writing,sketching and being inspired because your work and creativity inspire me as well.
Tanja, I can’t thank you enough for your support and your kind words. It means the world to me, and I am so happy to know you as well – isn’t it crazy to think that we’ve now been friends for over four years?! I’m just in the middle of putting my next sketching trip together right now, so I can’t wait to share more details with you soon! PS – Huge congrats on finishing your 5K last weekend! I’m so proud 🙂
This is awesome! I am SO excited for you! Of course I’m already subscribed – I’ve been following your awesome adventures since you left us at UVA forever ago! I cannot wait to get a copy of your book, and I’m going to need it signed at some point 🙂
(ps. I’m not intentionally trying to leave you a million comments. My computer says they aren’t going through, so if there are like ten posts, I’m so sorry! I just HAD to tell you how cool it is that you’re publishing a book!!)
Emily! It is such a fun surprise to hear from you here 🙂 Thank you so much for saying hello, and for following along my journeys! And am I correct in thinking you just finished law school?? Huge congrats on such a big accomplishment! PS – So sorry for the comment troubles!! I really need to get that sorted out soon, so thank you again for your persistence in making sure they go through.
Subscribed! 🙂 Congratulations to your book. I already like the cover and cannot wait to see the rest!!
STef
Thanks, Stef! I’m so glad you like the cover, and hopefully you’ll enjoy the rest as well 🙂
So very excited for you and the new book! Can’t wait to see it !
Thank you so much, Amy! It’s wonderful to hear from you here 🙂 I miss all of you in the Hilton crew – I’ll be sure to stop by and say hello soon!
I’m signed up, but if I win, please send my copy to a publisher – I’ll pay for postage. They would be crazy not to offer you a deal on the spot! I have no doubt this seed is going to continue to grow and blossom, and can totally envision walking into a bookstore one day and picking up a copy. You are an inspiration my dear xxx
Hannah, you are way too kind 🙂 I think you’ll be excited to hear that I’m actually considering pitching one of my favorite publishers – Chronicle Books in San Francisco – about my idea for the next book of sketches…I’ll keep you posted! Miss you lots and am sending lots of love your way today xxx
You are my travel blogging inspiration! I sketched my way rafting down the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in April for 17 days – not too good, but I have to start somewhere. I plan to spend six months in India and SE Asia beginning next fall. Can’t wait for your book – it will encourage me to practice practice practice my watercolors!!
Danielle, thank you so much for saying hello here and for your kind words! The idea of sketching your way down the Colorado River sounds absolutely magical – I’d love a peek at your sketches if you’ve posted them anywhere online? And I’m especially thrilled to hear you’re heading to India and SE Asia – if there is anything at all I can help with, please let me know! My email is [email protected] – feel free to send me a note there 🙂
PS – I noticed in your contact details that you bought the domain name for Questions of Travel? Any chance that’s named after Elizabeth Bishop’s book of poems of the same name? It’s one of my favorites!
Candace
Surfing the net I just realized you answered my comment from back in June. Thanks! Yes, the domain is named after Elizabeth Bishop’s poem. I came across the poem in 1969 while in college – I was already a world traveler and felt an instant affinity for the poem – it’s been with me ever since. I’ve been thinking about a travel blog but I’m the least tech-type I know so I’m wondering how I would ever keep it up. I bought your book. Again, your work is my inspiration! I look forward to all your posts. We will stay in touch.
I’ve been following your blog for a while and just subscribed for email updates. I lived in Korea for 3 years and have traveled around much of Asia, though there is so much more to see. Now that I’m married and live back in the States, my life is much more grounded, but I’ve been venturing out to South America now and then to continue my travels. Travel is truly LIFE!
Hello, Leah! It’s great to hear from you here 🙂 I love what you said about travel, and it actually reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by Hans Christian Andersen – “To travel is to live.” That’s incredible to hear that you’ve spent three years in Korea – I’ve been considering teaching there recently, and feel like it’d be such an interesting place to really sink your roots into for a while. What brought you there?
I do not want a free copy. I want to buy the book and maybe some postcards just as soon as it’s all released. Sending you lots and lots and lots of love!!
Margi, you are way too lovely! I can’t wait for you to have a copy, although I’m sorry to say the postcards will be coming a bit later on…I’m starting small right now with just greeting cards and stationery, but I definitely have plans to release a calendar and postcards closer to Christmas! Sending lots and lots of love your way as well and waiting for our paths to cross again soon 🙂
I’ve just discovered your blog and love it! Can’t wait to see the book
Thanks so much for stopping by, Claire, and welcome to The Great Affair! I really hope you enjoy the stories and sketches here 🙂
What a gorgeous cover! I saw on FB that you were researching card stock and I think that is a marvelous way to share you gift.
All of which is to say – don’t ever discount those little seeds of a dream that drop into your head.
That line says it all…. for but one different twisted road taken, who knows where we would all end up.
Thank you, Rhonda! I have indeed been researching card stock – I had no idea there are so many different sizes, weights, even shades of white out there 🙂 It’s been a fun learning experience, though, and as you say, such a great way to share this last batch of sketches. I also love what you said about the twisted roads life sometimes leads us down – thanks for sharing that!
Brava! So pleased for you, and can’t wait to see it. Thanks for being such an inspiration. xx
Thank you so much, Paige! And thank *you* for being such a wonderful friend – while I wish I could share the book with you in person, I still loved being able to flip through my sketches together in Hart’s Boatyard 🙂 xx
Congratulations, Candace!! I am so happy to hear this news, had no idea you were working on a book of your sketches. Very inspiring and I know this is the first of many!! Oh, I am entering my name, and maybe I’ll be one of the lucky ones! 🙂 Even if not, I know I’ll be getting it!
Thank you, Lily!! How fun that just as you were finishing going over the final proofs of your Belize book, I was finalizing the design of my own book of sketches 🙂 I definitely do hope this will be the first of many, as I’ve got lots of ideas for other sketching trips up my sleeve!
Will be getting one of your books either way – love your sketches and can’t wait! But if I won one that would be awesome! 😉
Thanks, Holly! I’m so glad you enjoy the sketches, and I can’t wait for the book itself to be ready 🙂
I just subscribed! I wish I could one day have an original piece by you!
All the best!
Hey Morgan! It’s so great to hear from you here – I definitely do original commissions, so let me know if you would ever like one 🙂 Hope you and Will are doing well!
Subscribed! I obsessed with your blog, I’ve been reading for over the past year. Keep writing/sketching/etc! :)))
Thanks so much for reading, Taylor! I will definitely keep writing and sketching, as long as you do the same as well 🙂
I just subscribed! Love the art it’s so pretty I would be honored to win a book but just as pleased to purchase
Thanks so much for subscribing! And I’m really glad you enjoy the sketches – fingers crossed you win one of the copies 🙂
signed up! 😉
Fantastic, Steve! Consider yourself entered in the giveaway 🙂
love your sketches!!!
Thanks again, B! Really appreciate it 🙂
Here’s to the fruits of dreaming big dreams! It is so exciting to see where you are traveling and I get to visit vicariously through your pictures, sketches and words. When your book is out on Amazon, I would be happy to put it on the alumni facebook page!
It’s so great to hear from you here, Mrs. Castelow! Thank you so much for your kind words, and I love what you said about the fruits of our dreams. Funnily enough, as I’ve been working on the lay-out of this book in inDesign, it has brought back many memories of working on yearbooks so many years ago now 🙂 I love how little pieces of our past can fit into the puzzle of our life now as well!
PS – I’m home for a couple more weeks this summer and would absolutely love to meet up if you’re around! I’ll send you an email once I’m back from my sister’s wedding this weekend 🙂
I would love to get together sometime, so I will be on the lookout for an email. Enjoy the wedding!
I just subscribed! Congratulations for the book and the gorgeous cover! I love Japan where I spent one year and Southeast Asia so looking forward to read/see more posts 🙂
Hello, Ilana! Thank you so much for subscribing, and for your kind words. That’s so fun to hear you’ve spent a year in Japan – whereabouts were you based? Sadly I was only able to spend three weeks there this April, but I definitely know I’ll be back!
Candace! I have been WAITING for this announcement. I am so excited to see the finished product. And, of course, when you announced this project, I ran out and signed myself up for a watercolor class because I KNEW in an instant that this was how I wanted to document my own travels next year.
Congratulations on creating such a lovelypiece of art.
(I am already signed up on your mailing list )
Staci
Thanks so much for your wonderful comment, Staci! While I so appreciate your excitement about my book, what is even more exciting to me is hearing that you’re planning to do watercolors while traveling next year. That’s exactly the reason I’ve been sharing these sketches so much recently – sketching has truly changed the way I travel, and I would love for others to experience it on the road as well 🙂 And where are you planning to head next year? If there’s anything at all I can help with as you plan your trip, please don’t hesitate to let me know! My email is [email protected].
Candace ~
First of all I think it is lovely how you take the time to respond to everyone’s comments. That impresses me more than I can say! And judging from these comments, you are inspiring people left and right add art to their travels!
My husband and I and two chidlren (17 and 14) are heading out for a year long adventure. We’ll start in SE Asia and decide from there where the journey will take us next (although the kids have been promised a safari and Machu Picchu). I may very well take you up on your generous offer for help in planning as we get closer to that delightful moment of LAUNCHING!!
Take care!
Thanks so much for your kind words, Staci! I’m always grateful when others take the time to read this blog and leave a comment, so I love the chance to say hello back and interact with them a bit 🙂
And that’s so exciting to hear you’ll be kicking off your adventures in Southeast Asia – it’s a fascinating region of the world! The people and culture of Vietnam especially blew me away, as did Laos’ natural beauty. I look forward to seeing where else you head!
Congratulations Candace! That is great news, you are a true artist in every sense (and a very talented one at that). I love the story of the title, it’s so perfect! If I win I will have to have my copy sent to someone in a country where the postal system works though 🙂
Thank you so much, Sarah! I really appreciate what you said, and I’m so glad you liked the story of the title 🙂 I absolutely understand about the trials of international postal systems – getting a new debit card sent to India took three months!! – so if you do win, we’ll make sure your copy makes it somewhere safe and sound.
love your sketches!
Thanks so much, Janiak!
love your sketches 😀
Looks like you have a big following of your sketches! Have been subscribing since I met you in Cologne 🙂
I have signed up to follow you via email. I have been following your RSS feeds. Cheers!
Thanks for signing up, Angela! I’m grateful you take the time to follow along my journey – best of luck on your own travels as well 🙂
I subscribed to your email list!
Thanks so much, Kirstin! I appreciate it 🙂
I just ran across your blog from another travel blog I follow. What attracted me to yours is that I love to travel and also love to sketch and watercolor. I am so happy I found you!
I’m so glad you wandered this way, Marilyn! It’s always wonderful to meet another traveling sketch artist 🙂 If you’re interested, I just posted a callout for readers’ travel sketches today – I’d love for you to send through a few for the “Summer’s Sketchbook” roundup in a couple of months.
Needless to say I would love to be in the running … wonderful stuff. Inspiring even .. and you know what I mean (grin).
Thanks
Thanks so much, Gerald! Consider yourself entered in the giveaway – and, as always, thank you for following along 🙂
Hi Candace
Free book please! (I’m already subscribed). I’ve missed a little of this journey due to computer ‘issues’ amongst other things. I was actually thinking recently whether sketching is something you can learn. I guess it’s like anything, a certain amount of talent that we may or may n0t have then nurturing skills through appropriate practices…or something like that 😉
I was also thinking that it would add a whole new dimension to traveling…to sit down somewhere, sketch and take it in. You’ve also made a few connections by the looks of it as a result that you wouldn’t have otherwise…a whole new world opens up!
Anyway, good luck with the book and the next phase, whatever that may be!
Adam
Hey Adam! It’s great to hear from you here 🙂 Well, you’re pretty much right on about everything: I definitely think art is something we can develop over time, whether or not we’re born with a huge amount of “natural talent.” It just takes patience and dedication to keep working at it! And yes, sketching has *completely* changed the way I travel and enhanced my experiences on the road. Whether it’s by absorbing a place more deeply or connecting me with local artists and kids, sketching has opened up so many new doors for me. Here’s hoping you’re one of the names I [virtually] draw next Monday!
How exciting, Candace. I’ve been following your writins and sketches for a long time now.. I’m really happy for you to be able to put both passions (and talents!) together!
Thanks so much, Katherina! It has been truly wonderful having you follow along all this time, and I can’t wait to see what’s next for us both 🙂
Subscribed. Duh.
Fantastic news. Thanks for stopping by the blog!
Hi Candace,
I’ve been getting your facebook updates but now I’m signed up for email too. I love your artwork and you’ve inspired me to start sketching too… even though I’m no good. It just looks like a great way to release.
Thanks!
Kelly
Release is the perfect word for it, Kelly! Sketching is a perfect way to not only absorb a new place, but also work out your impressions of it on the page. I can’t wait to see some of your sketches – and I hope you might submit one or two of them for the “Summer’s Sketchbook” roundup I’ll be posting at the end of the summer 🙂 Thanks so much for saying hello here!
Congrats Candace! Just subscribed as well but would be more than happy to buy a copy 😉
Thank you, Lola! I can’t wait to share the book with you – it’s been so much fun to put together 🙂
Just subscribed to your list. I enjoy your blog a lot and am totally jealous of your travels.
Cheers.
Ze
Thanks for subscribing, Ze – I just checked out your own blog and am really loving the sketches from Puerto Escondido! Hope you’ll consider submitting a sketch or two to the “Summer’s Sketchbook” roundup I’ll be publishing in a couple months 🙂
Ive just subscribed! candace you are so awesome and my hero. Us DeVere’s cant wait for youre new book and will be getting copies for EVERYONE!
Mattie! It’s so wonderful to hear from you here and I’m delighted your lovely family is looking forward to the book 🙂 One of these days, I need to get a “Sketching Australia” trip in the works!
Hi Thanks for the nice giveaway 🙂 All the best for your future journey 🙂 Participated and fingers crossed.
You’re so welcome, Deepak! And thank you for signing up and entering the giveaway – I’ll keep my fingers crossed the odds are in your favor 🙂
I ran across your blog through Velvet Escape’s travel blog. I was most impressed by your beautiful sketches and watercolors. I subscribed to your blog for my personal email address but I just added my work email address because I did not want to miss anything you may post!
Thank you for your inspiration!
Thanks so much for saying hello again, Marilyn! I’m thrilled to hear you’ll now get updates both at work and home 🙂
Hi Candace!
We met last year on the Rickshaw Run in Shillong & Jaisalmer, maybe you remember the Zefant on the Run team. Since then visiting you your blog regularly is self-evident of course… 🙂
Instead of trying to get a free ride, I’ll buy your book on the 8th – promised! But I entered my mail-address anyway.
Best wishes from Germany
Stephan
(Zefant on the Run)
Hello, Stephan! Let me assure you – out of the some 200 teams I met while working for The Adventurists, Zefant on the Run is and will always be the most memorable one 😉 How could I forget you guys?? Thanks so much for saying hello here, and I’m delighted to hear you’ll be picking up a copy of my book – I hope you enjoy it, and I hope all is well in Germany!
Hi! I’m 19 from England and I love your website. I am studying Art (specially Textiles) and your sketches are amazing and have inspired me to go back to using watercolours again. I hope your book is a success, I’m sure it will be 🙂
Hello, Eleanor! Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hello 🙂 It’s an honor to hear that my sketches have inspired you in your own artistic endeavors – that’s exactly why I keep posting them here. If you ever share your work online, I’d love to see it!
I’m an art student from England and I am studying textiles. I really want to travel around South East Asia and your blog has inspired me to go back to using water-colours. Good luck with your book!!
Thanks so much for getting in touch, Eleanor! I definitely know the feeling of trying to pick up your art again…around 10 or 12 years had gone by between my last art lesson and when I finally started sketching again, so believe me – it can be done 🙂 Hope you enjoy the book!
I have been signed up to your email list for ages now, and I love receiving your emails so I can take a peek at your sketches.
I can’t draw for nuts though haha.
Congratulations on your book 🙂
Hello, Rachel! That’s so great to hear you’ve been following along for a while now – I really appreciate that and am delighted to hear you enjoy the sketches 🙂 Hopefully you’ll enjoy “Beneath the Lantern’s Glow” just as much!
Wow, all I can say is that I’m an architect and I cannot draw like that for the life of me! Beautiful work! Can’t wait to read more 🙂
Thanks so much! I’m so glad to hear you enjoy the sketches, and definitely hope to see you here again 🙂
Hi Candice! I just came across your post on the site for this weekends West Coast Sketch Crawl. I followed the link to your blog here and am so excited to have found your work. My husband and I are sketchers and are in the process of writing our first travelogue/ sketch book together. I wish you the best of luck with your upcoming book and can’t wait to meet you and sketch this weekend!
Cara! I’m sorry to just reply to this lovely comment, but I’m so happy you said hello here last week as sketching with you and Jerimiah on Saturday absolutely made my day 🙂 Off to reply to your other comment now, and I can’t wait to see you both again soon!
I can’t wait!!!
Really hope you (and Alex!) enjoy the book, Holly 🙂
Candace! Girl, I am so excited for you and this wonderful adventure you call LIFE!! You are sharing your wonderful experiences with us in such a beautiful and unique way! May God continue to richly bless you and your talent!!
Big hugs!
Annie
Thank you so much, Annie! I feel so blessed to have had these experiences and getting to share them with you here now is what life is all about at the moment 🙂 I’m so glad you enjoy it, and I hope you especially enjoy “Beneath the Lantern’s Glow!”
Well, I subscribed too : ) Mostly because your blog is a constant reminder that life can really be beautiful and fulfilling – if we dare to make it that way. Slowly, slowly, under the influence of this blog I started to change my own life (for example now, I’m applying for some internships in China : D) and my general outlook on life is also changing. I can’t wait to read your future posts, actually regardless of where you go and what you write about, because it’s your attitude to life that I cherish the most. Good luck with all your amazing plans, Candace! ^^
I can’t thank you enough for what you shared here, Inaya! For as much as I love traveling and seeing the world, it’s the journey taking place beneath it all – a journey to do what we love and live a rich life – that really fuels my passion. To then hear that that’s what keeps you coming back to this blog pretty much just made my night 🙂 I’m thrilled to hear about your potential internships in China, and really hope you’ll keep me posted! Best of luck, Inaya, and I look forward to hearing from you again.
Candace!
I just can’t wait! It is so amazing watching what God is doing in all of your lives!
You go, girl!
Julie
Thank you, Julie! That means so much, and I really hope you enjoy the book of sketches 🙂
I just signed up to receive your updates 🙂 Best wishes in this beautiful writing and sketching you are doing Candace!
It’s great to hear from you here, Catherine 🙂 Thanks so much for signing up, and I’m delighted to hear that you’re enjoying the stories and sketches! I hope you’re doing really well – whereabouts do you live now?
Candace, I am so proud of you! I am so amazed and inspired by your work! I’m so happy I signed up. I can’t wait for The Great Affair and many other works yet to come. What a grand adventure you are on, something new and different every new day! Melissa Carr
Thank you so much, Mrs. Carr! I really appreciate you taking the time to sign up here, and I hope you keep enjoying the stories and sketches that drop into your inbox 🙂
Hello Candace, I just subscribed to your blog. I love your sketches and am inspired by your work. I am a beginner really learning on my own and glean a lot of information and tips by subscribing to blogs like yours. Also looking at other artists’s sketches helps a lot as well. Thank you for posting your work!
Hello, Paige! Thanks so much for stopping by and subscribing to the blog…I really hope you enjoy the stories and sketches you find here. It sounds like you’re a sketch artist yourself…if so, I’d absolutely love to see some of your sketches, if you post them anywhere online? Thanks again for your kind comment!
On this very hot July day, I spent some lovely time looking at your sketches and feeling inspired. I’ve just subscribed to your newsletter and look forward to reading more.
The book looks wonderful. It brought back memories of my travels in South East Asia.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Jane, and for your lovely comment! I’m so glad to hear you’re enjoying the sketches, and I hope they might even inspire you to bring a sketchbook on your next trip 🙂 Where in Southeast Asia were you? Any favorite spots?
I just started reading your blog today and loved your stories and sketches!! I want to know more about how you travel, your budget , etc…Hope to catch you on email! Thanks!
Hello, Swapna! Thanks so much for stopping by and saying hello – it’s wonderful to hear from you 🙂 Thank you as well for your email…I’ll be replying shortly! Hope you’re having a great week so far.