Hong Kong, 24 September 2021 ————– FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
ARCHITECT LAUNCHES BOOK OF SKETCHES FROM HIS WORLD TRAVELS
Award-winning architect Tom Schmidt launched his new book, The Bumbling Traveller, in Hong Kong on Thursday, 23 September 2021 in advance of commemorating World Tourism Day and the book’s international debut on 27 September 2021.
The book launch was held at 7pm at TGIF, located at G/F Wo Fat Building, 539 Queen’s Road West in Shek Tong Tsui. The well attended hybrid in-person and virtual event was live streamed to an international audience around the world. Over 60 book lovers and media representatives attended the in-person event, during which Schmidt provided a brief overview of his book, followed by a live sketching demonstration, and book signing.
Using a photograph for reference, Schmidt spent 20 minutes sketching a 140-year old historic building located at the Hong Kong Observatory, to simulate a scenario of rapid in-situ sketching to capture a subject during deteriorating weather conditions. Schmidt’s black and white demonstration sketch was produced with a 0.6 Faber-Castell Ecco Pigment lightfast permanent marker on sketch paper, generously donated by Hong Kong Faber-Castell. Schmidt narrated his sketching process to the virtual audience while drawing. The completed sketch was given to one winning event attendee by way of a lucky draw.
In addition to a selection of the author’s previous books and other creative products, the event venue featured a montage of projected images from Schmidt’s new book, in addition to large format graphics affixed to the exterior windows to simulate a “sketch view” of Sukhothai, Thailand from the interior of the space.
The event was hosted by Ian McGinlay, live streaming was provided by filmmaker Hayley Rofkind, and catering for the event was provided by Kate Lai with additional culinary contributions from Rebecca Lo. Assistance with venue setup and dismantling was provided by Winston Cheng, Andy Niven, Sherie Tsang, and Michael Lai. Schmidt noted, “I was thrilled with the turnout, and truly appreciate everyone who supported our event.”
The Bumbling Traveller is filled with over three decades of Schmidt’s highly detailed architectural sketches and analyses of various destinations around the world. According to the highly acclaimed Midwest Book Review, Schmidt’s new book is “Inherently fascinating, impressively informative, uniquely inspired and inspiring, ‘The Bumbling Traveller: Sketching the World’ is a unique, extraordinary, and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, college, and university library contemporary art instructional reference collections.”
From subjects of architecture and the built environment to local people and handicrafts, readers will experience the age-old tradition of putting pen to paper to remember the world around them, capture moments in time, tell stories and daydream. With over 250 hand-drawn illustrations in a variety of media, readers will see the genesis of the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series. Schmidt hopes that the book will inspire younger generations of travellers, artists, and architecture students to sketch the world around them, and better appreciate the places they visit.
The Bumbling Traveller is the fourth installment in the award-winning Bumbling Traveller™ Adventure Series, a book series that seeks to promote environmental and cultural awareness through entertaining mysteries and adventures. The book is currently available in regional and international bookstores, and can also be ordered online from the publisher, Kakibubu Media Limited (www.kakibubu.com).
ABOUT THE AUTHOR / ILLUSTRATOR:
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Tom Schmidt is an award-winning architect, writer, illustrator, musician, and part-time stand-up comedian. Born in the United States, following his studies of Architecture and Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, his wanderlust has carried him through various bumbling adventures in over 70 countries around the world, across all seven continents.
Schmidt is a licensed architect in the US and New Zealand, an Accredited Professional in the LEED® and WELL building certification programs, a founding member of the Hong Kong Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), and a member of the American Society of Architectural Illustrators (ASAI). He has resided in Hong Kong since 1997 and is founder of Sepia Design Consultants Limited (www.sepiadesign.com), an architectural consultancy specializing in sustainable hospitality design.
BOOK STATISTICS:
| Title: | The Bumbling Traveller |
| Author / Illustrator: | Tom Schmidt |
| ISBN: | ISBN 978-988-18066-4-2 |
| Category: | Travel / Art / Architecture |
| Length: | 156 pages |
| Retail Price: | US$39.95 |
| Binding: | 11.0″ x 8.5” (28.0 cm x 21.6 cm) softcover |
| Illustrated: | 252 Color and B&W illustrations |