Dear drawing,
I’m intimidated by you. Your surface is so bare, so empty. It’s almost bone-chilling.
Yet, I see something for you. I’m finding the fine relations between forms and values, lines and shapes. An image is appearing. And I want to co-create it with you.
I will gently begin. Gracefully walking my chunky 2B pencil across your surface. It might tickle a bit. But I need to find the contours. The bounds of this image. These first few marks are going to mean the most. They are going to let me know if you are ready.
I’m now switching to my handmade pencil. Please be gentle with it. It’s quite rigid and I’m going to move rather fast. Will you dance with it? Will you help me find movement? Just this one impression? To begin is sometimes the hardest.
Dear drawing, we’re going to proceed with this relationship in one of two ways. You might decide you’re not ready to be uncovered. That it’s not time for us to cement together. That you rather I not bring this vision to life?
Or, you could prove to me this idea is meant for me you, and you. That we’re ready to embark on this never-ending endeavor. And when this idea knocked at my door, you were by my side, joining me in this commitment.
Dear drawing, I just want to know that I’m taking the next steps. We mapped out the image, and I’m ready to begin layering but I need your guidance - your support to show me the way. Will you keep hold of my hand? And let me do this?
Trust.
Please, teach me to also trust.
Dear drawing, I appreciate your patience, but I need to gather my other pencils. You know I’m never that tidy. They’re just over there. Will you wait for me?
Dear drawing, I’m back. Thanks for your patience. I’m eager now more than ever. Stepping into this messy middle takes courage. One wrong move and it will shatter my vision - my idea. Let’s make her proud.
I’ll be using my chunky 4B pencil next. Working quickly to add some depth. Scurch, scurch, scurch. Finding the places where the clouds meet the universe. Counting my friends - do you see them? One, two, three. One is waiting under the peach tree.
We’ll work quickly to capture the impression - but please, let’s make sure we work in tandem. One misstep…
Dear drawing, I want to start capturing more details. I am going to work a bit slower here. Sleuthing little gestures. I find myself lost - in a good way. I need to find the pace between immediate and intention - all without overthinking. We're creating something that didn't exist before - something beautiful and unique.
I’ll use a more poignant pencil. I’ll first go here. And then a little more there.
Dear drawing, we’re actually doing the thing. It’s like riding a bike, isn’t it? And after the first awkward, uncomfortable pushes, we’re finding our stride. Off with the wind tucked in our sails.
I’ll bob back and forth between these fine details and obscene gestures. Finding the fine relations.
Encountering the end won’t be easy. I’ll have to decide when I’ve made all my artistic decisions. Either way, when it’s here, you’ll be the star.
Dear drawing, thank you for being patient. And for taking my hand.
Warmly,
Lauren