drawing on the train the other day when i realized the guy sitting next to me was pin guy. Pin guy, he had a name and i had a picture of him and had told several people about him. Pin guy, you know I’m politically aware, check out all the pin on my bag, oh and did you see the ones in the under the flap. yeah ive got so many they kind of spill out, all over the bag. Yeah i got causes and shit i care to wear flare about.
Button guy
I have seen several of the people ive drawn since starting drawing on the way to and from work. Drawing, even for a short time, is almost like the act of writing acts and a memory aid. Your sitting there basically inspecting somebody; which in this day and age doesnt always go over well, and can be easily misinterpreted. You get to know someone while drawing them, they reveal a tic, or notice you and then you do the dance. The dance of negotiating the i notice you looking at me pretending your not looking at me; and now im gonna sit here and feel uncomfortable until my stop arrives. When you run across someone youve spent that time with its like seeing an old friend. You wonder what theyve been doing and so on.
I can relate to the early ideas/fears of cameras steeling souls… theres a power in the portriat, and its various forms.