5 years ago, I began sketching what I saw, when I saw it, in front of God and all mankind. Well, I exaggerate a bit... but let me describe my experience. From the time I had first learned to draw, in 4 years I realized I had filled many sketch books with drawings and studies from magazines and photographs, but never in public. This was always an exercise I confined to the privacy of my studio or kitchen table without any others around to offer critique. I liked it that way. Then, Sara and I had an opportunity to go to China. While on the River Li, I was taking photos like all other tourists as our boat cruised by those beautiful karst mountains seen in asian art and currency. I don't know what sparked me, but suddenly I ran below, grabbed my sketchbook and pencil out of my backpack, and returned to try to quickly catch the shapes and mood in graphite before each "snap shot" receded from my eyesight and memory. I became totally emersed in this collaborative exercise between my eyes and my fingertips. To top it off, I was not aware that many people were gathering behind me to watch what I was trying to do. Many offered compliments (I think) in French, German, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and more! That day, my art became a delightful vehicle to engage others from all over the world. Who would have guessed! This Summer, I'll add sketches from my sketchbook, beginning with this from the River Li.
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7/30/2018 07:09:06 pm
I did not start sketching until I am in my thirties. It's like a hobby I never got myself into. They said it's never too late to learn something new. I was even thinking about going to a ballet class for adult beginners. I am not even sure if there is such thing as that but I am really hell bent. I want to get into the arts. It's something I wasn't encouraged to do as a little kid. I think we should just let our children do what they want. I wanted to do it as a child and I have a lot of regrets now that I am too old for some of this.
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Sorry I missed your comment earlier. Talking about trying "new things" this website stuff is one of them. I was always allowed to do my own thing as a kid and, as a result, developed too independent of a streak... My wife says I don't play well with others. I still do my own thing and make a lot of mistakes, but learn from every one of them. Of course, I feel I'm being watched over too and that helps.
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AuthorBill Needs Archives
January 2024
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