A Student Again

This winter I have been taking a figure drawing class at a nearby art center, starting in January and continuing on into May. My thought was to get out a little, draw, meet some people—old and new. Perhaps hone my drawing a bit, because it is true—you can fake a lot of stuff, but not the human figure, no matter how abstract it becomes.

Lining up my supplies for that “first day of school” I found myself hoping for a snow day, just like a kid again. What is it about having a commitment to be somewhere that brings out the resistance? Well, I didn’t anticipate what a boost it would be to my hand, my eye, even my psyche. Wow.

With charcoal in hand, on that first gesture with that first piece of newsprint, I discovered my passion for drawing all over again: the beauty and frustration of the line, trying to capture the dance of a model’s movements, dealing with something organic and alive and not being able to cheat or skimp on it. Even having an instructor who is also an artist and friend who knows me well enough to push me along out of my ruts is part of the group experience.

Our work as artists is by necessity a solitary job as we explore our vision. “It is a journey that one must make walking straight and alone” said Clyfford Still. But being in a gathering of other like-minded artists intent on learning and improving their craft is such a joy. We must always allow ourselves to remain open, inquiring, pushing ourselves. It is important for me to be both my own student and teacher and not to become dependent on classes continuously to think for me. But for just right now, this has been a great experience for me.

Here are a couple of the sketches I’ve done so far. I’ve accumulated a pile to review later, perhaps work some into finished pieces, or incorporate some into other projects.

“Do what you do intensely” Robert Henri