Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Sketch from 2007


This is a sketch of Elliott Smith, one of my favorite songwriters. During the time when I drew this I was going through the hardest time in my life; my father had just passed away after a long, debilitating illness. I listened to a lot of Elliott's music during those few years, and looking back at that time I can see my drawings as reflections of how I was feeling in a focused, contained form. 

I am glad I have this sketch as a reminder that making things can really help one move through sadness or anxiety. Creativity, whether through art, music, writing, dance, or constructive conversation, is a conduit for healing. Making things doesn't make the sadness go away (immediately), but it can help one's feelings evolve into something meaningful.