Happy day
Posted: May 6, 2014 Filed under: Uncategorized 8 CommentsOne of the wonderful benefits of keeping a sketchbook is that not only do you have a visual record of a place that is often more evocative than a photo, but the sketch may also bring back associations — good or bad — of how you were feeling while you were drawing. Today I was visiting one of my students who is doing an internship at a downtown company, and we took a little time to sit together after my visit to chat in sunny Place Jacques Cartier while I drew and he ate his lunch. For me this sketch of the Nelson monument is not at all about the drawing, but rather about the feeling of immense pride I had because this young man — and in fact all the students I have visited in the past week or two — are so successful in their internships. I don’t want to get sentimental but that is a pretty great feeling for a teacher to have. To know that students you have been teaching for many years are well on their way in the world. It kept a smile on my face for the rest of the day. Or maybe it was just that spring has finally arrived in Montreal. Either way it was a happy day.
I often listen to the radio when I am sketching and when I look back on the sketch some time later I can always remember what I was listening to.
That happens to me so often too!
So true. When I sketch at a location the experience becomes so much more rich than simply taking a photo. I need to do it more often. Thanks for your thoughts!
Thanks Courtney!
As a retired teacher, I know just what you mean. It’s Teacher Appreciation Week here in the states, but I’d like to pass that on to you, too. Your students are lucky to have you— and your sketch is very nice, too!
Thanks Vicky. We have teacher appreciation week here too but it doesn’t really happen at colleges. It’s more for high school and elementary school.
I’ll add that it’s a pretty incredible skill to be able to be engaged in a serious conversation, and still do a great watercolor sketch like the one featured here. Even though I sketch in some pretty busy environments, I still try to zone the world out as much as possible.
You certainly should feel very proud of the impact you are having on these future artists. I know that you have certainly inspired me to get back into painting after a three year break and you continue to inspire me daily….We are all very fortunate that you are willing to share your passion with us