“I have always been focused on observational drawing, urban landscapes in particular, but I became more intense about it back in 1997 when my body nearly all froze up. I couldn’t draw at all for about two weeks. My hand couldn’t feel the pen. I was told that I might have MS and that I should switch my emphasis to working with the computer.
That sure didn’t sit very well with me. The “you might have” became a “for sure” in 2003, when I was diagnosed with MS. But I had already hit the streets perfecting my observational skills, mark making and drawing in my sketchbook with a wider variety of pens and brushes. I figured I’d better get the drawings now while I can. I’ve been teaching drawing at Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland, Oregon, since 2001, so when I was done with class for the day, out I went to a different location each afternoon to make a new drawing in my book. My sketchbooks were already going places with me.
I love the thrill of getting everything down on the page before cars leave, and of course clouds block the sun and shadows move. There’s nothing like it. Not exactly like the adrenaline rush I had when mountain climbing, but intoxicating all the same.”
• Kurt’s blog.
