Urban sketching is not new Sketcher Fest Edmonds artist connects past with modern sketchers

Mário Linhares showcased George Chinnery's 19th-century sketches at the third annual Sketcher Fest Edmonds, emphasizing their relevance to urban sketching today. He argued that this art form has historical roots, with Chinnery and other artists like Picasso as predecessors. Linhares spent 13 months studying Chinnery's life at the University of Lisbon, uncovering details about his time in Macau, where he lived from 1825. Chinnery faced fewer artistic competitors there and enjoyed a comfortable life, although he struggled with financial management. Attendee Gail Wong highlighted the importance of verifying artwork attribution, aligning with Linhares's mission to bridge past and present.

Chinnery's sketches, often overlooked in favor of his paintings, are gaining recognition 200 years later. Linhares aims to elevate modern urban sketching's value in the art world. The event demonstrated a growing appreciation for the connections between historical and contemporary artistic practices.