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"to know something is to draw it"....I am often reminded that some of the most powerful and magical moments
happen in my sketchbook. There is something I can't quite describe that happens and is present when an artist works, draws,
writes, meanders in their sketchbook.... a certain level of perception and awareness that is engaged that leads to deeper connections.
Just getting to the sketchbook is hard enough, kids, work, house, wife,
life....so easy for it all to get into the way. Loud music and a closed door does wonders. The way I use my sketchbook
is broken down into two levels, one is direct observation of reality (by far the most difficult and intimidating for most
artists), the other from the imagination. I try to work them both for I believe the most powerful artist is one who
can draw from both worlds....and well!!!
Sometimes when I am not sure what to draw I look at what is peeking through from the pages before. Usually you can see
something, a blur, a ghost....I use that as a place to jump off from and just see what comes up. Or just look up!!!
Look what is front of you. At the coffee shop two men were playing chess, they had a clock set for eight minutes.
I started an eight minute drawing of hands playing chess. Another time at my drawing table I didn't know what to draw
so I looked up and saw a plastic MULAN warrior that my daughter had found at the park. As I completed drawing him
I saw a little BUDDHA figure sitting on the window ledge which I also drew on the same page. Something strange and wonderful started to happen
and is still happening. They started to talk.....on the page. I had this strange realization that these two men had
just shown up on the same page, they had arrived together and they did indeed have something to say to me
and to each other. That alone is worth a short story or a feature film.
Sketchbooks are priceless. I have over two dozen 6 x 9in. sketchbooks getting dusty in the laundry room. They span over
20 years. At times I have taken over a year to complete one and I would say if I could have anything in my life
I'd have a better relationship with my sketchbook. My last last book was completed in 4 months, a record and a really good feeling.
So here you go. If you don't have a sketchbook, get one. Even if you "don't" draw. Crack it open, see what's there, what's
here. Remember your inner critic will be talking up a storm...ha!... draw's his/her/it's portrait. (Here's a secret:
the Inner Critic never goes away...the more art you do the voice just gets softer, more familiar, a known). Set time,
draw for 20 minutes, no matter what, make a mess, draw the most boring thing you can find in your space, or a chair at
the cafe, the cat sleeping, the percussion of the song. This is really a place where you are your own teacher. And/or
allow the creative spirit, the creation in the moment to lead you, then follow...ask for clarity and passion.
You see, it is not really about drawing, it is about knowledge, it's about knowing.