Amelia Carson: I draw, I write

Last week my first guest on I Interview David Litchfield finished his Drawing a Day project. I, for one, am going to miss being greeted on Facebook by his imagination and pencils. As the final day drew near and I grew mildly crankier Iwas thinking perhaps I'd just not look at the last drawing then I could pretend.... but I am glad I did look because there it is, down below. What a wonderful THANK YOU! How flattering and touching, but also what a fantastic indicator of the symbiotic relationship between artist and audience. We creators thrive on feedback- almost any. It motivates us and helps us grow and learn.
 I hope by now readers that you understand I reject the artist as loner stereotype. I believe so strongly in the importance of creative communities, we spend enough time alone in front of the desk, the page and the easel. We need stimulation and responses and interaction on all sorts of levels- like any other little person. I remember listening to a lecturer insist that the cafe culture of artists was dead and being too young and too timid to say to her - your BARMY. As if! Restructured, maybe. Novel, probably. Different, definitely. But DEAD! Seriously. At that stage the internet was a burgeoning phenomenon and only hinted at the new ways for people to form creative circles, David’s drawing demonstrates the beauty of just one aspect of this wonderful development. His community of fans, followers and creatives enjoyed the year and he created one of the loveliest “Thank You’s” I have ever seen:

I would like to thank David for his interview, his generosity and the gentle inspiration and lessons I took from his project: trust, courage and giving it go- Old lessons that still need teaching over and over again.

Stay tuned for the next installment of I Interview next week with another brave and talented artist:
 Lily Mae Martin