My family members often ask me why I don’t use rulers when I draw things with a straight edge, such as buildings and windows. The reason for that is not simply because I don’t have one, or because I’m lazy. The reason is all about perspective.
Perspective is something that I consider to be somewhat of a holy factor in art-making. To me, perspective is tied to everything: the content of one’s art, the manner in which one approaches their art, the message that the artist is trying to convey, and so on…I like to focus specifically on perspective, because whether you’re an artist or not, the one that you have is the most rare thing on this planet, and even still is ever-changing.
When I worked on these illustrations–Window Views–I wanted to incorporate perspective in less obvious ways. Of course, there’s the personal window view that only a handful know, but what divides those few who see the same thing? What makes their memories different from one another’s?
The answer is within themselves.. It is not just what they do, but how they do it. Take this line from Charles Wright’s groovy classic, “Express Yourself”:
“It’s not what you look like
when you’re doin’ what you’re doin’
It’s what you’re doin’ when you’re doin’
what you look like you’re doin'”
Of course, Charles Wright was talking about dancing, but I think art-making can go by the same rules: It’s more important to put your heart into something than to try to be something that already has been.
When I draw a window, I don’t want any help–I’m dancing by myself. This is the way that I feel that window. And when people see it, with its trembling panes, I hope they recognize it not as a misstep, but as a nod to style and fearlessness.
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