A long time drawing student who has become a friend hit a metaphorical speed-bump in life. Her body has betrayed her; one of the symptoms is weakness and a tremor in her dominant hand. We’re not going to talk about diagnosis or the emotional wallop, only about our time together drawing. She is without a doubt the best student I have ever had.
When she stopped coming to lessons, she had 2 drawings that were almost finished. People who don’t draw, or who don’t draw as well as she does, might have thought the drawings were finished.
She asked if I would finish the drawings for her. My first thought was that I would be happy to help her in any way, and of course I would finish the drawings. After thinking more, I proposed that we work on the drawings together. She could do the parts that she is able to do, and then she could tell me exactly what else she would like to be done.
It was just like drawing lessons, except this time she was doing the instructing, and I was following the instructions. After many years of drawing together, this went like clockwork; we were like a well-oiled machine.
Almost three hours flew by, and these two drawings are the result.
8 Comments
Thanks for sharing this unique experience. Not meaning to over-use a popular name for an intentional practice, this is the best example of “living mindfully” I have heard. Blessings to you both. Donna
Thank you, Donna. “Living mindfully” was a good thing before it had a fad label assigned to it. I hadn’t given it any thought, but I guess we were both trying to “carpe diem”!
Wonderful story, wonderful art. I hope your friend can recover her strong and steady hand. Even if she can’t, and must find another outlet for her artistic creativity, she will always be able to recall the joy and satisfaction of having been able to express herself so very well with a pencil and a piece of paper (thanks in part to having had such a good teacher and fine friend).
Thank you, Laurie. Her work never ceases to amaze me.
Jana, you are such a caring and thoughtful friend!! She needed to finish her drawings. You two together made that happen. We can sense, thru your words, your desire to help. May you be blessed.
Thank you, Melissa! The two of us together are a drawing force to be reckoned with!
When I read your blogpost, I thought of Julie Andrews, who sang beautifully for her entire life, but abruptly lost the ability to sing altogether due to vocal surgery. What a loss!
You had the perfect solution. “She” finished the drawings by using you as her instrument. And the drawings are beautiful! [[hugs]] to your friend.
Thank you, Sharon! It was a real pleasure to be my friend’s hired hand.