Sketch, Reflect, Repeat

Over the last few years It has become clear that art is a practiced skill. While I believe everyone is born a natural artist, it seems that about 4th grade they seem to separate those that 'think like artists' from everyone else. All of the students that don't think like artists are told that they should just leave the creative work up to the people that are natural at it. I think I was one of those kids that was separated as a 'natural' artist, which worked for me because I was always drawing and doodling something. I didn't take well to 'formal art instruction' and didn't pursue that during junior high and high school, and thus I lost a lot of my abilities.

one of my early ball point sketches

another early ballpoint sketch

I have learned in the time since high school that art isn't 'natural'. It is something you have to work for every single day. I picked up the sketching/painting relatively recently (2010-sh) and have been very serious about it for the last 3 or so years. It has been important for me to set aside at least one hour a day to sketch. Often times when I am out getting coffee or eating at a restaurant.

Here is a piece I recently started while getting coffee before work one morning. There is still a bit of work left to do on it, but It is definitely coming along, this is practice, this is art.