Thursday, September 05, 2013

Robert Henri and the Sketch Hunter...

I was reading The Art Spirit by Robert Henri this morning and came across the passage that prompted the title of my blog...

"The sketch hunter has delightful days of drifting about among people, in and out of the city, going anywhere, everywhere, stopping as long as he likes --- no need to reach any point, moving in any direction following the call of interests.  He moves through life as he finds it, not passing negligently the things he loves, but stopping to know them, and to note them down in the shorthand of his sketchbook, a box of oils with a few small panels, the fit of his pocket, or on his drawing pad.  Like any hunter he hits or misses.  He is looking for what he loves, he tries to capture it.  It's found anywhere, everywhere.  Those who are not hunters do not see these things.  The hunter is learning to see and to understand --- to enjoy."

While it's been many years since I was able to "drift about among the people...going anywhere, everywhere", I still see like the hunter and keep my sketchbook with me at all times.  At meetings, at church, even open while driving in my car  (Thanks, Sheldon!).  Stopping and taking note when the need arises. 



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