This first image is my self portrait. It was made over 15 years ago. Prior to this time in my art history, I was completely disenchanted with drawing and art in general. I was tired of assignments like, "Choose an object on the shelf and draw it". I had reached my limit. I decided that drawing was about me and how I felt, and I had a lot to say. Instead of using words, I chose to talk about it visually, and I think it was better that way for me. Instead of taking a piece of charcoal and delicately dragging it across the paper with no concern except to take up the time and layering endlessly with no feeling; I took control. I guess I drew this in about 5 minutes. I think some people may look at it and see exactly that. But, for me, this was more about a moment in time. Probably the longest five minutes of my life to that point. I didn't care if the charcoal cracked and crumbled. I laid it down with intention. I sewed the seams that held it together. I didn't worry if it looked realistic or not. I was capturing a feeling, and that feeling was leaving me, but I had recorded the evidence. That evidence shaped my journey to this day.
