In the World
“It is beautiful to be alone, it is also beautiful to be in love, to be with people. And they are complimentary, not contradictory.”
Taking art out of the studio and into the world sets the stage for so much beauty.
Regardless of time or space, opening up a sketch book is a way to open up to opportunities that are present in any situation; to open up to the life that is in each moment. I particularly love portrait art because it allows for connection with people on a very real level, no matter whether we speak the same language or share any obvious similarities. People often become intrigued and will come over to observe or ask questions, or request a portrait, and I love it when this happens and things start to come alive. Quite suddenly, a new and unfamiliar environment can shift and become friendly, full of conversation with everybody making an effort to connect rather than stay distant.
The challenge of capturing somebody on paper draws me to this type of live art, but mostly I love that I have a way to explore and discover the stories of other peoples' lives. It is that human interaction that sustains my interest, that ability to let differences quickly drop away as we start to dip beneath the surface. Opening up to this honest connection has led to some of the most wonderful experiences of my life.
Art knows no language barriers. People are just people, no matter where you are in the world, and everyone has their own enchanting story.
Bishnoi village, near Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Bopa Musician, Pushkar, Rajasthan.
Dhanraj the sadhu, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
kochi-varkala train ride, Kerala
Gypsy camp, Pushkar, Rajasthan
Punjab Sleeper train
James of the Eagle Clan, Masset, Haida Gwaii
