(You can view Michael's work at his website: michaelmentler.com.
I used to doodle incessantly as a kid; in fact, when my parents remodeled my old bedroom recently, they pulled up the carpet to find crayon drawings on the wood floor underneath! I don't really know why I stopped - perhaps because I'm so obsessed with color...
Regardless of whether I work in black and white or color, having a sketchbook is great because it's the artist's own private playground, without the pressure of anyone seeing it or judging it. The sketchbook is the perfect place to develop one's skills by copying master works, practicing anatomy, or drawing whatever catches your eye.
Sometimes I wonder, when I see so many great artists out there and observe their unique quality and style, whether or not I should be in this business. What's the point? Well, here's one answer: only I can express my artistic vision in my own way. I may share a common interest of medium, subject matter, and even style with other artists, but only I can arrange these things and see them and paint them in a way that's never been done before in quite that way. Each work of art - no matter how many times an apple or hand or face has been painted - is completely unique. It is a huge privilege for me to have these skills and to be able to pursue them the way I do. And I owe much of it to other artists, like Michael, who are helping to inspire me along the way. :-)
Beautifully written Anna, and so true.
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