I ran into my “chair” (chairperson for my department at Kutztown, not a literal piece of furniture) at a coffee shop last week and we got to talking about drawing. He’s writing a paper about when drawing becomes less about observation and something that could be considered elevated from a technician’s approach to documentation. By no means does he negate that value, especially since it is a fundamental and required skill for pretty much any artist (although both students and artists of a sort would argue with me).

I will have to admit that I have strayed from traditional “observed” drawing but I do continue to consider drawing as a method of observation. It is mark making that becomes more about context of the emotional self than it is of observation of the physical self. I never really thought much of that difference and I guess I would have to admit that I am a bit tunnel-visioned into my own process than I am aware of other artists around me. I deal with budding artists on a daily basis- but that is the establishment of fundamental design skill and in looking at art, I don’t know why the technical process becomes so secondary of a concern for me. Who knows.

But when talking to my chair (again a person, not furniture), he began to discuss a paper he is writing about when drawing becomes more than the plastic observation.  I mentioned how I am struggling in the studio in working on my sister’s image.  And during this discussion, it became apparent that drawing makes me more aware about who my subject matter is to me and what my perception of them is.  I guess I already do that when I use my own image but what is true is that I can truly attest for the bits of my identity… when considering another, it becomes an educated guess.

So what I’ve noticed that I do is to examine what the relationship dynamic is and who they are to me.  I had a really great conversation with a high school student at First Friday and she questioned why I don’t work with men (which invoked a minifreak out in my head).  I said that I don’t know if I could authentically work with a man.  I know nothing about what it means to be male.  And I really strive a for such honesty in my work.  In writing this now, I maybe should reconsider my answer.  I will never know what it is to be within someone’s skin, experiencing what they experience.  So really perhaps I have been kidding myself… if in working with another’s image is more about the relationship I have with them and that perception- why wouldn’t I tackle the male image!

All I can say to that is fear.  But I’ve gotten over a lot of things I’m afraid of (aside from fish) including considering peas to be PART of a dish (Mom, do not whip up a bowl for me just yet).  I don’t know that I will race right out and tackle the male image however you men in my life… you thought you were safe!  Think again :)

ps. My chair will be including me in his paper…