Life Drawing
Life drawing is a way of learning to see, allowing me to see beyond the mind’s natural filters, biases, and assumptions. Each drawing is an act of resistance against these preconceptions, a step toward a truer understanding of the human form. By committing to each line, I try to simplify and capture the gesture, form, and expression of the model, striving for a more honest understanding of the bodies we inhabit. Life drawing for me has been both an artistic and a deeply personal journey.
Life drawing is core to my practice as an artist, and is something I would recommend all artists do on a regular basis. It's a great way of training observational skills, building a visual library, and improving hand eye coordination and overall drawing skills. It's also a deeply mindful and meditative experience, and a great way to focus and clear the mind.
The life drawing community is very diverse, positive, and welcoming. I've made some of my best friends through life drawing, and interacting with other artists has been a constant source of inspiration and artistic development.
By observing a diverse range of body types I've also been able to develop a greater appreciation for the beauty of the human figure, all human figures. This in turn has enabled me to confront some unconscious personal prejudices I had (and wasn't aware of), and more importantly develop a stronger sense of self-worth and appreciation for my own body. If I can treat someone else's body sensitively in a drawing, I can observe and treat my own body in the same way.
Life drawing as well as being an artistic journey has been a deeply personal journey for me.
