market ˈmɑːkɪt/ (noun) a regular gathering of people for the purchase and sale of provisions, livestock, and other commodities.
Markets are a great place to people watch and to people sketch. Amid the hustle and bustle of a busy street market you can very quickly become invisible
It is when you are invisible and unnoticed that people act naturally and you get to see snippets of real life. So, wherever I am travelling I always make sure I take a detour to a local market so I can capture in my sketchbook or on my camera some unposed and natural images of people going about their everyday life.
Below are some of my favourite photographs, sketches and paintings from markets around the world, in Tanzania, Bolivia, Thailand, Kenya, Vietnam, India and Mexico.
























healingpilgrim January 17, 2018
Beautiful Ali! I love the colorful juxtapositions of photos, sketches, drawings, paintings. Wonderful idea, to show the different perspectives and what catches your eye.
Ali Dunnell January 17, 2018
Thanks, as always, for the support – I’m currently in the process of turning some of these into some bigger paintings 🙂
healingpilgrim January 26, 2018
Wonderful Ali!
SommerKunst January 17, 2018
So beautiful! I am going to travel to East Africa next year for the first time and I will be making sure to to see lots fo markets 🙂
Ali Dunnell January 17, 2018
Wonderful – it is such a lovely part of the world 🙂
Marie January 18, 2018
Beautiful. I love the vivid colors and how just a few strokes brings the figures to life.
Ali Dunnell January 18, 2018
Thanks Marie 🙂
Ali Dunnell January 18, 2018
Thank you for your kind words Marie 🙂
Samuel January 18, 2018
Beautiful. Very innovative. You are one talented person, Ali. Thank you for sharing your captures and artistic work.
Ali Dunnell January 18, 2018
Thanks so much Samuel for your kind words and thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂
mdhoffmannphoto January 18, 2018
Wonderful collection Ali! My favourite is the “Fish Market in Vietnam”
Ali Dunnell January 19, 2018
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog and and commenting 🙂
a speck in time January 20, 2018
Beautiful. You are so talented. What a great way to travel by observing and expressing it through art. I carried my watercolors through three countries last year, without opening them once. You are such an inspiration! Love it.
Ali Dunnell January 20, 2018
Thanks for the positive comments. I try to always have a sketchbook or camera with me. Ali 🙂
fleurdelilah January 20, 2018
I love how you capture your subjects and in such different styles! Beautiful and vibrant paintings!
Ali Dunnell January 20, 2018
Thanks so much 🙂
Beauty by Elisa MUA January 23, 2018
Have you ever been to Paris? Suburbs are very inspirational and multicultural
Ali Dunnell January 23, 2018
I have but a long time ago. I remember being really fascinated by the melting pot of cultures. It is a city I am longing to return to 🙂
Akshay patil January 29, 2018
i love your unique painting style. it will be your brand identity in some days. keep it up.
Ali Dunnell January 30, 2018
Thanks so much Akshay 🙂
wanderlustvlog January 31, 2018
Loving those colors! Very vivid and intense!
Ali Dunnell January 31, 2018
Thanks so much
Erica January 31, 2018
Beautiful paintings, I enjoyed this post!
Ali Dunnell January 31, 2018
Thanks Erica 🙂
Followingtherivera January 31, 2018
These are so beautiful!! I love markets and this artwork has captured it perfectly. I especially love the one of Merida 🙂
Ali Dunnell January 31, 2018
Thanks so much – I hope to do some more Mexican scenes. 🙂
Constance @ The Adventures of Panda Bear January 31, 2018
I love how you can get a taste of the culture as well as all those artists’ styles just by going to the market! I definitely need to make a larger effort to seek out local art when I’m traveling. Thank you for sharing!
Ali Dunnell February 1, 2018
And thanks for stopping by my blog too 🙂
Pierre February 1, 2018
Wow! Just unbelievable talent! Amazing how you think of things in that perspective! I love your concept of photography + artwork!
Ali Dunnell February 1, 2018
Thanks so much Pierre 🙂
adventuregirleliana February 1, 2018
These are beautiful!! And the best souvenirs one can gift themselves! Great talent!
Ali Dunnell February 1, 2018
Thanks so much 🙂
Bonita February 1, 2018
I want to know which one is from Kenya! You are very talented Ali. Sharing this post right away. I am a lover of art.
Ali Dunnell February 1, 2018
Hi Bonita, thanks for the positive feedback. The one from Kenya is Selling Bananas in Kisii (it was a road side market in this rural town) . Ali
thetripwishlist February 1, 2018
This is so captivating! I love your inspiration and how you even composed the paintings with the photographs in this post. Great work!
Ali Dunnell February 2, 2018
Thanks 🙂
Boarding Call February 1, 2018
so true, markets are the perfect places for people watching. You can also learn a lot about the local culture by spending time at one, seeing how much people negotiate, what is important to them, what foods they eat… it is just a great stop to incorporate in any travel!
Ali Dunnell February 2, 2018
Exactly – thanks so much for stopping by my blog and commenting 🙂
Alex February 2, 2018
Wow. very nice and uncommon compilation. I see your blog is full of inspiring ideas.
Ali Dunnell February 2, 2018
Thanks so much Alex 🙂
bunny333 April 15, 2018
Nice Post admin. i love the way you write post and it’s very creative. i will surely share this post. cheers !!
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alidunnell April 17, 2018 — Post Author
Thanks for stopping by my blog and the positive comment 🙂
FlySoulmates April 27, 2018
Amazing!
Wiki May 3, 2018
Hello ,
I saw your tweet about animals and thought I will check your website. I like it!
I love pets. I have two beautiful thai cats called Tammy(female) and Yommo(male). Yommo is 1 year older than Tommy. He acts like a bigger brother for her. 🙂
I have even created an Instagram account for them ( https://www.instagram.com/tayo_home/ ) and probably soon they will have more followers than me (kinda funny).
I have subscribed to your newsletter. 🙂
Keep up the good work on your blog.
Regards
Wiki
alidunnell May 6, 2018 — Post Author
I’ll check out your instagram page 🙂
Willie Lockhart July 8, 2018
this is a unique idea about traveling. You traveled to many countries to give us, known for their local market life. You have done the wonderful job, It a great inspiration for all the beginners. Your stunning painting and sketches tell the story of the local life around the world. Thanks for thinking some unique things. 🙂
Neeti September 18, 2018
I love your amazing Painting Style Ali! Great Job.
alidunnell September 18, 2018 — Post Author
Thanks Neeti 🙂
paddockfamily4 December 30, 2018
Awesome collection of art pieces!!!
alidunnell January 7, 2019 — Post Author
Thanks so much 🙂
Rae Argallon January 1, 2019
These are very nice art!
alidunnell January 7, 2019 — Post Author
Thanks Rae 🙂
Amir Mohtashemi March 25, 2019
Wonderful collection mate, Thanks for the share..
alidunnell March 28, 2019 — Post Author
Thanks so much 🙂
Amir Mohtashemi March 25, 2019
Very useful tips, I myself believe in never starting a new project before completing the pending ones.
alidunnell March 28, 2019 — Post Author
Thanks 🙂