Sharpies can be intimidating...but you have to risk it to leave a mark

It all started with a picture...it was Christmas and I had bought a cheap little kodak digital camera back when they made them the size of half a brick. I was walking around the park with my brother and my mom, and I had been taking pictures just for fun because I was starting to really get into photography. My brother decided to throw a fit and he sat on his knees in a moment when the sun was just starting to go down. I couldn't resist the poised and concentrated look on his face and the way the shadow seemed to project how grandiose he will grow up to be in the future.

In high school I started getting into some photography classes...but I had always been in art. We got a new assignment and although I was afraid about whether or not I would be able to pull it off, I risked it and decided to draw my favorite picture I have ever taken...

I realized that I had a way with sharpies and paper and honestly I love the way this technique creates an illusion in your eyes, just as Rembrandt discovered early in his career. He is one of my favorite artists and this is one of my favorite ways to draw. I think the shapes that I have loved using the most are smiley faces and little stick figures because then people get up close to the drawing and they start laughing.

When I draw these I really do get the feeling of "Flow" that Mihály Csíkszentmihályi describes in his approach in psychology. In fact, it is so strong that I will spend the whole day drawing and I will finish the drawing in one day!

Believe it or not this one of Charlie Chaplin took me one day! And people always ask me how long it takes me but I don't want to sound like I'm bragging when I say the truth. But yes, this only happens when I have nothing else to do...and when I am throwing in a little bit of procrastination into the inspiration.