SOL20 Slice #21: Taking a Trip

I am participating in the
 Slice of Life Story Challenge (SOL20).  
All participants are sharing stories about moments in their lives, writing 
 every day for the month of March 2020.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers!

I just went on an unplanned, unscheduled trip and had so much fun. I visited several far away places, though isolated within the confines of my house. It's Saturday, and I have declared to myself that this weekend day must feel different than the preceding five days of virtual teaching and confinement: I will dabble in drawing. I will get out my drawing pencils and sketch a bit. I haven't done this in ages. This coronavirus gives me the gift of time, to pursue a hobby. 

My pastel drawing of my house

This desire was instigated by one of my preschoolers, during a Facetime call yesterday, who asked - What's that picture, Ms. Ingram?

I had forgotten that you can see 'everything' during a phone call like this! Thankfully, it was simply a picture I had drawn many years ago.

Oh, that - it's my house.

Your house?

Preschoolers don't entirely understand this virtual thing we are doing these days. I heard the incredulity in her voice - as if she wondered how I could possibly have any picture on my wall that she hadn't already seen. In all likelihood, she imagined me holed up in the school classroom, while only she was away at home.

Years ago, we moved as a family to Little Rock, Arkansas, due to a temporary assignment through my husband's work. Two years and temporary meant that I substitute-taught (oh, this was hard!), and - for sanity - I indulged myself in a 'drawing with pastels' class at the Arkansas Arts Center. I loved this class so much, that I signed up for the same class over and over again, several semesters in a row, connecting with the same fabulous teacher (Endia Gomez) and community of artists. One drawing I did was the one my preschool friend noticed - I missed my home in Maryland so much during that time in Arkansas, that I literally drew it.

So, thanks, preschool friend, for reminding me that I could take this time, in this new wilderness, to work daily on some favorite, forgotten pastimes. Hey, I could try to draw Frog! (My grandchild's nickname.) I am missing her! I don't know the first thing about drawing real people. I can draw a cartoon or two. What was the name of that amazing artist that did huge, poster-size pencil portraits of people's faces? He taught at the University of Arkansas in Little Rock? He was my art teacher's professor. He spoke with us, we were able to see an extraordinary exhibit of his work? The drawings were so detailed and finely done, they looked like large-scale black and white photographs - until you got very, very close and could see the pencil strokes. Oh, those were amazing! 

I wandered a bit on the internet, trying to find him. Then I headed to the cabinet where I store my journals, to find the ones from 2004-2006...yes, I went down a rabbit hole...

Now, fully two hours have gone by, and I never could find that artist's name. He is so clear in my heart and mind, but I cannot get the name. I have come up empty-handed, and I still haven't taken out my drawing tools, but, geez, I just had fun! I traveled in my mind, and there's something to be said for that, right?

I think I'll get in touch with my pastels teacher! Something else to pursue during these endless days ahead, right?

Happy Saturday, Slicers! Day 9 in isolation.