Draw What You Own

 

Everyone is familiar with the old adage, “Write what you know.” I have my own version of that for visual artists that I have made a practice of, and it is to draw what you own. When I was in art school I was accused of visiting the local flea market just to pick up items that I might like to draw. There’s nothing like having an object right in front of you that you can move around so that you can view it from different angles and in different light. My family is even skeptical when particularly colorful cupcakes show up in the refrigerator. They wonder if they dare eat them or if I’m about to set up a still life.

 

The little Scottie dog is a pin that I have had since I was a child. It’s carved out of wood and hangs from the little chain and pin that you can see in the photo. The detail in it is quite amazing. Now, having an actual Scottie to draw might trump my little pin, but then again I would have to wait for a still moment.