Ms Tia Boon Sim, 60, an artist-in-residence at Temasek Polytechnic's Centre for Transcultural Studies, is the founder of informal sketching group Urban Sketchers Singapore.

She led about 400 Singaporeans on sketch walks around the island earlier this year to capture locations such as Changi Airport and the Clementi town centre.

From Nov 26 to 29, 200 of these sketches will be on display at the SG Heart Map Festival at The Float at Marina Bay.

The free event is a culmination of the SG50 initiative, in which Singaporeans share memorable moments associated with particular spots.

Ms Tia lives in a condominium in the Upper East Coast area with her 61-year-old husband, who is head of the property department at the Singapore Turf Club, their 27-year-old daughter and 20-year-old son. Her elder son, 31, lives in Hong Kong with his family.

Is sketching a must-do activity during your down time?

Sketching is my favourite way of winding down. I can do it anywhere and any time, even in between lessons at the poly- technic. I particularly like to sketch environments and Singapore's cityscape.

Besides sketching, what do you enjoy doing for leisure?

As I was trained as an architect, I enjoy doing 3D art, including pottery. While sketching is a quick way to relieve stress, 3D sculptures take more time, allowing for more self-discovery in the process.

I head to dragon kiln Thow Kwang Industry in Jurong at least once a month with friends to do pottery. I also play the pipa in Braddell Heights Community Centre Chinese Orchestra.

I used to be in the Chinese orchestra in junior college and some of my friends from the group reunited and play together now.

Do you have a regular chill-out spot?

I like going to Penny University in East Coast Road as it's near my home.

Also, the food and ambience are good. I always order the Eggs Benedict and, sometimes, add an extra poached egg on top of that. It's a little pricey, so I don't go too often, usually twice a month.

If you could hang out with anyone - dead or alive - for a weekend, who would it be?

My idol, the late Austrian artist, Egon Schiele. I like how he injected energy and life into his works.

It would be good to find out more about his thought process and inspirations.

I don't specialise in drawing figures, so perhaps he could share tips as he drew them so well.

What sounds like a good way to top off the week?

To do absolutely nothing. I have been doing a lot, so I should do the opposite.

I might get bored, though, but I will consciously make the effort to do nothing except ponder for an hour each day.

Gurveen Kaur