Some thoughts about The Drawing Studio and My Experiences There

by Tom Scarborough

I’ve been taking classes at TDS for about two years. I always wanted to take art classes, but after a disastrous experience as a freshman architecture student, I decided to stick to linear, logical and mathematical pursuits. I changed my major to Wildlife Biology, and spent 35 years as a science teacher and school administrator. As my career wound down, I got braver and signed up for the Fundamentals I class.

The first night Catherine Nash had us draw a large bone. I worked hard on it, as did my classmates. I found that, while students’ innate ability varied, my bone really wasn’t all that bad. So when I got home, I showed it to my wife. She took a long look and said “What is it? A dog?” Well, in spite of my bone/dog, I have taken Fundamentals I and II twice each, Bettina’s Intro. to Color and Intro. to Pastels, and a charcoal course from Elee Oak. I also took Andy’s initial Drawing as Communication course, and I am taking it again.

I have a lot to learn. I need to practice more. But I can now draw things, rather than just random geometric doodles. My sketch book goes everywhere with me. Beyond learning some technical skills, I have learned to see differently. I am more aware of the space around me, and of the things that occupy that space and how they fit together. I also am beginning to understand what Andy means when he talks about the vocabulary of art. And I am beginning to take in images through my eyes and send my interpretations to my hands, without first filtering them through a set of predetermined descriptions of what things look like.

I now look at other people’s art in different ways. This past summer I visited the Maria Sofia gallery in Madrid, where Picasso’s Guernica hangs. As impressive as the work is, what moved me most were Picasso’s sketches for the piece. I still can’t verbalize what goes on in my brain when I look at objects and try to draw them, or when I look at other people’s work, but I know it’s a whole new way of thinking and perceiving.

My Drawing Studio experiences have opened a whole new world for me. I love making marks and experimenting with new media and styles. But learning that there are other ways to think than with the verbal patterns I grew up with has been terrifically enlightening and liberating. I will be drawing and studying for the rest of my life. I doubt that my work will ever hang in Maria Sofia, but my work will open new doors for me and help me to perceive our world in a more meaningful way. Why did it take me 60 years to get here?

Overcoming the Parking Blues

by Connie Pickering

I have to admit I was a bit concerned about parking when I saw the location of the new Drawing Studio. I was used to making two or even three trips to my car after classes with all my painting supplies and wet canvases. This was not a problem with parking just across the street. But how would I manage when I had to walk a couple blocks to my car?

After a month of oil painting classes, I have to say I was worried about nothing! It took a bit of thought to organize the supplies I would really need, but carrying them in one or two shoulder bags, even with wet canvases in my hands, has been no problem. In the morning, there are lots of parking spaces in the “green” garage, and the elevator there is convenient with my hands full. I also know that if I really have to bring a lot of “stuff,” I can park long enough in front to drop it off or pick it up. There are also great rolling carts that I plan to take a look at for bigger loads.

I can honestly say that any tiny personal inconvenience in parking is greatly overshadowed by the wonderful new facilities. Having a studio for each class eliminates the disruption that sometimes occurred when we were more cramped. The exhibition space provides more room for inspiring art work and the new easels and drawing benches are a joy after dealing with the tilting, instability and frustration of the old equipment. I particularly like seeing what all the other classes are exhibiting each week.

All in all, there are many more pluses than negatives to the new space. Seeing the progress being made in the building each week makes me excited and feel like an active part of a growing community. Don’t wait to take a class until everything is “complete.” It’s more fun to be part of a work in progress.

[For a map of available parking click here.]