For the last couple of years Len Grant, a Manchester-based urban sketcher, has been documenting Burton Road between Withington and West Didsbury in a new sketchbook.
During the project, Len has sketched dog groomers, bicycle mechanics, pizza chefs and even a bakery making over 400 naan breads a day. His drawings include many of the independent delis, cafés, bars and restaurants that make this part of town one of the most popular Manchester suburbs.
“It started between lockdowns,” Len said, “it was somewhere close to home where I could sit out on the street and draw. I didn’t at first think it might become a book.
As well as Len’s sketches, the 96-page hardback book features work by his 27-year-old daughter, Rebecca who took up sketching after attending a workshop run by her dad. “She has such a creative flair,” he furthered, “she makes drawing look effortless.”
This is Len’s second published sketchbook. In 2018 he made The Rusholme Sketcher after a year-long blog of the same name. “I spent my evenings and weekends sitting on the street and in takeaways and shisha bars. It was definitely the inspiration for The Burton Road Sketchbook.”
The Burton Road Sketchbook is being launched on Thursday this week from 6pm – 9pm upstairs at Withington Baths on Burton Road, M20 3EB. Everyone is welcome to attend and marvel at the wholesome work of Len.
To order the book online for £17 plus postage just search ‘Len Grant Big Cartel’ or follow the link below.
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