Rolling in it and with it

How things went

This last week was, metaphorically, the last miles of the art events marathon I've been running leading up to the live-drawing event Dec 9 at Vintage Books that I wrote about in my last newsletter. I felt tired like a marathoner does in the last stretch so several mornings I worked during breakfast on this ink drawing to remind myself to enjoy the entire experience.

This week, as per prior arrangements, I delivered copies of my newly published sketchbook A M Sketching - drawings done at breakfast to the Aurora Gallery. [As a subscriber you got access to this book first - if you're a new subscriber (welcome!!!) please see this newsletter edition to catch up.] Here's me at the Aurora Gallery with some of my books and artworks.

Here's a closer look at a shelf full of 20 or so of my artist book titles along with some of my original artwork at the gallery .

While I was at the gallery I picked up a box full of the tiny 2 x 3 inch frames for my live-drawing event.

The morning of my live-drawing event at Vintage Books was cold, steel-grey and rainy. The weather forecast was for rain all day with 40 degrees as the high temperature. “I hope the weather won't keep people from coming out to your event.” said my wife. Taking a deep breath I replied “Well, even if no one comes I'll be sitting in a locally owned independent bookstore and drawing so I'll be fine!” My wife laughed and said “Yes, you'll be in hog heaven!”

About then my phone pinged with a message from Vintage Books. The heating system was out in their building and would I please dress warmly when I come? I pulled out my warmest coziest sweater and off I went 30 minutes early so I'd have time to help get things set up before the event began at 1 o'clock.

On my rainy drive to the bookstore the clouds were so low that I couldn't see the tops of the trees or buildings.

When I got to Vintage Books the parking lot was semi-full so I parked a distance away, grabbed my two small boxes of drawing and framing gear, and dashed in the chilly drizzle.

I was about two feet inside the front door of the bookstore when the owner greeted me with a grin “Two portraits already paid for with customers waiting!”. I rolled with it and hustled to get started. Instead of my event running from 1 to 3 pm it went from 12:30 to 4:30!! My wife's phrase ‘hog heaven’ was apt.

Prior to my arrival the bookstore had everything set up: my tree portraits and a rack of some of their books about trees, a rack of my greeting cards and my Portraits Of Trees book and my A M Sketching- drawing done at breakfast book, all were in their places … all I had to do was sit down in the chair and get out my drawing gear. I spread out a black cloth to work on so I wouldn't get ink on anything I wasn't supposed to get ink onto.

The bookstore had also thoughtfully arranged matters so people could chat with me but not crowd me while I worked. Here are more photos that the bookstore staff carefully snapped for me to share with you.

We're not sharing pictures of people in the store or much of my in progress or finished portraits because many of the artworks are gifts for someone and no spoilers! Primarily I drew cats and dogs. I did do one tree drawing on the spot. The little frames got filled one way or another and I delighted in seeing so many happy faces!!

I did discover, as I had hoped, some new tree themed books! At the end of the event I bought “In Search Of The Old Ones”. I would have bought “Nature Of Oaks" (seen in the photo) too but I had a fun conversation about trees with someone and they bought the bookstores only copy of that title. I'm betting the store can order another copy for me later.

In addition to several fun conversations about trees, and more than a few delightful discussions about pets and the people the pet portraits were gifts for, there were cheerful conversations about books! At one point a 10 or 11 year old was there with their adult and even as deaf as I am and as focused as I was on my drawing I could hear their squeals of delight at the books they found! That made me smile!

Also a smile maker were the friends who dropped by to say hello! Some passed by when I was busy with someone and just waved at me. Others popped their face around and grinned at me. One friend happened to come during just the right time so we were able to talk and catch up while I drew! I was also able to collaborate with my friend to personalize a card for a mutual friend!

Such fun it was to meet nice people that I didn't know in the midst of seeing friends! It also encouraged me to hear that Vintage Books wants to continue carrying my books and cards even after the day was done!! It all helped cheer me forward during my last art event of the season!

So you see why I say so often that human creativity is an essential part of being in human community. Art, books and cards (and coffee cups 😉) are tangible forms of love.

I hope your week is filled with love and that you're able to enjoy it aka roll in it and with it!

I'm going to go rest now and read my new books about trees … thanks again for reading and subscribing!!

P.S. If you're a newly paid subscriber (thank you!!!) please download whatever you like from the index of 12 ebooks that I've written and illustrated.