A visit to Clement Street is incomplete without stepping inside Green Apple Books which is where the artist saw this lady dressed in a compelling retro outfit casually browsing through books. She stood out from the rest of the customers, and Roy wanted to capture how conspicuous she looked in her vintage riding breeches, waistcoat and a bowler hat, but also blended seamlessly with the timeless ambiance of the old bookstore with its creaky stairs and dusty used books.
These crayon and colour pencil drawings are a part of the artist's ongoing project documenting the daily life and the distinct character of San Francisco and its residents as they navigate their day. These artworks encapsulate the joy of discovering a place by slowing down, observing deeply and capturing fleeting moments.
Print size is 5 in. W x 7 in. H
Somali Roy is an artist, illustrator and writer currently based in San Francisco. They've written and/or illustrated for National Geographic Traveller Magazine, Smithsonian Magazine, Bon Appétit, Complete Wellbeing Magazine, Selamta Magazine, Cup of Jo and Changi Airport to name a few. Their illustrations have been awarded ‘selected winner’ in the annual American Illustration AI 43 in 2024, and will be published in the book this year. They were also a ‘chosen winner’ in AI 41 and 42 competitions for the previous two years.
