Something interesting happened today as I was leaving my art class.  I was riding the elevator in the parking garage when someone said to me “are you an artist?”

Perhaps they had a hint from the portfolio that I was carrying and the charcoal smudges on my jeans, but it was kinda cool to have someone walk up to me and say that.  I said “yes,” and we started talking … as long as one can on an elevator.

Nice ego boost.

I’m still trying to hone my skills, the class I just mentioned being part of this, and, but I’m increasingly thinking more and more, “What am I trying to say?” and that brings me back to the physical world verse the spiritual world.  It’s still a struggle.

Even if I can’t find a resolution there, I’m gaining more skills.  I love the figure drawing.  There’s something very visceral and very real about it, and I’m learning so much about the human ability to recognize.  We are evolved to recognize other human beings through form, structure and expression so when you are drawing another person you are communing with that person in a way but you are also sharing with the viewer of your drawing.  They are able to recognize the form and the beauty in the form.  This gives me a kind of metaphysical feeling to be painting another.   Here is the latest sketch from the figure class.