Amazing Diversity : Unfathomable Variety
Occasionally I do sketches of complete strangers, when I find myself presented with the opportune moment and recently, I have taken to challenging myself by doing the quick drawings on whatever paper I have at hand (thus the lines from my steno pad). The subjects I choose are those I haven’t had a lot of experience drawing. I love the lines that age and time draw on the canvas of the human face.
As a whole, American society is very jaded in it’s perception of what defines beauty. Advertising tends to feed us it’s own criteria for the very narrow field of what it considers pretty.
The intimate experience of drawing strangers has given me a very sincere appreciation of the diversity of the human race. I have always loved drawing other people. But as a younger artist, I stayed within the realms of the familiar; young, pretty female subjects. So it only seems natural to expand into a much wider spectrum of humanity.
I believe that beauty can be found almost everywhere in creation. I think the more unusual and less familiar something is, the more potential it has for being an expression of true beauty.
It is always healthy to push yourself just a bit beyond your comfort zone. You never know what you might learn.
Longstreet’s
One of my most favorite lunchtime venues has to be Longstreet’s Deli in on Sycamore Street in Olde Towne, Petersburg. Their food is always spot-on and the service is excellent. They also sell specialty wines and beers and have a great selection of imported and local vintages to choose from. The atmosphere is very laid back. It’s not unusual for the owner to prepare your food and there has been many a time that his wife would bring it out to you on roller skates (She’s a champion skater so don’t worry about wearing your lunch entr√©e.)
When my work and life took me south of Richmond (too far to warrant a lunch in the Fan or Shockoe Bottom every day), I missed the eclectic, quirky, yet relaxed atmosphere of the eateries in our capitol city. Longstreet’s filled that gap and continues to provide my friends and family with it’s blend of unique charm and excellent edibles as it has for years now. If you are ever in the area, I highly suggest checking them out.
This was sketched at Longstreet’s Deli, very quickly, in my little Moleskine book while waiting for our food last Friday.
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Cultural Renaissance
The city of Petersburg, Virginia has long been in something of a cultural slump. Once a renowned commercial center for transporting and processing cotton, tobacco and metal, produced and shipped from the region, the city boasted a thriving ironworks industry whose remnants can be seen in the antebellum architecture that remains. I can think of several examples of incredible architecture just in the space of a few square blocks that inspire me. Of these, a highlight would have to be the Petersburg Courthouse, a gem in the skyline of Petersburg and a magnificent specimen of Classical Revival of from what I understand, is the or one of the oldest operational courthouses in the country. Also, of my favorites, is Battersea, a colonial era Palladian mansion and Blandford Church and Cemetery (where many a Traylor lies in eternal rest) that boasts an impressive collection of Tiffany stained glass windows.
I tend to head down to the city when I am looking for some external inspiration. The Olde Towne District is one of my favorite haunts. It’s the city’s hub of the arts renaissance. TT and I can often be found gallery hopping on Second Friday for the Arts. We frequently visit the Petersburg Regional Art Center (PRAC). It’s a fantastic date night with loads of great restaurants and things to do. I’ll post links to a few of our fave eateries next time.
TT
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