Week #12: The hidden benefits of being a traveling artist

   As anybody who practices on a regular basis knows, being an artist can be a very solitary effort. As spring fever leaves it's sunny brand, I am compelled more and more to go out on sketch-ventures, sometimes wondering where the intention is strongest, to be back in the land of the living or to be working in more challenging circumstances. This week I multi tasked my sketch practices with my ongoing need to study masterful art by going to an Art Museum. After the time efforts and cost of a 120+ mile drive, the $28 parking in the city fee, this annual museum member discovers that it is "free Thursday" and the place is packed! Unlike when I normally stand close to the work and sketch, this was a huge painting so mid of the room was the only way to "see the work". The cons were that I was like a drunk fan at a concert with floor seats... swaying and bobbing to see past the steady flow of viewers- many of them with their backs to the painting?!? The pros prevailed with the bench being in the center of that room, perhaps the 1st time I have sat and sketched but not to save my feet/legs/back from standing in one place so long. No the hidden benefits were the people that came to join me.
   It began with the usual older folks "admiring that people still even do you're  doing," while taking a break... never hesitant to exchange conversation among strangers. One even asked for a brief education in the ways of printmaking as she was inspired by the Rembrandt intaglio prints. She needed to understand the difference between etching and dry point before proceeding on her intentions to visit her local art store to pick up supplies as she had stated. She was lucky I'm a printmaker as I even covered engraving so that she would have more choices. Then came the middle aged folks (some artists) trying to slyly examine the work unnoticed or coming to judge whether I was doing a good job but none offering advise nor encouragement. Then there was the new parents teaching their kids to take notice that "She likes to draw pictures too, just like you." as well as the stray child broken away from parents to peek (I can feel them inches from my arm) or the child protected in Mom's arms, too shy to speak but bold enough to drag a parent for closer investigation. I always welcome the well behaved inquiries of future generations (and often parents) as they are respectfully honored that I will take the time to break my concentration and share what I do specifically with them.

"The Spinster" 3x5 comp sketch

  
My favorite part is the inspiration of drawing that sparks in others as no matter the level nor age, I strongly feel that drawing should be for everybody to enjoy. The highlight of this said art-venture was the mother with her 2 daughters. The oldest insisting, "No Momma, I want to sit down there and draw like that lady." Minutes later there were 4 of us in a row, the daughters and I all drawing the same painting. While the youngest (age 5) was following her sister's lead on mother's other side, it was only natural that the oldest daughter strike up a conversation with her fellow practicing artist...me. I spoke with her as a fellow "serious artist" with gentle/simple terms as we shouldered the bench in our good intentions as her mother got a chance to rest her weary feet. The icing on the cake was when mom was ready to go the child stated she wasn't done yet thus educating her mother because every 7 year old artist knows... you can't rush the perfections of a masterpiece! 

"The Spinster" copy drawing ... in progress
 (from actual painting)
beside  postcard

    So after lunch, as many of my drawings are memories, I decided to return to the said bench and reinvest the 2nd half of my day to a much more devoted study and begin a copy drawing from the painting "The Spinster".  Perhaps 90 minutes later, as I packed to leave, I discovered a "next generation artist". She was a young lady half my age with her sketchbook open, maybe 20 minutes into a drawing of the other painting behind me... it was a bench of inspiration. How I wished I were one of the crowd with a time lapsed glimpse, looking back (sketching all of us of course) at what I'm sure was a sweet little scene... current artist, next generation artist and future artists... all at work.