Sketching people is a way for me to understand them. Models I hire tell me about themselves, their family history, their friendships and how they see the world. They question me about my history, bringing forgotten adventure back with smiles and with tears. People I sketch at Jake's become acquaintances, and then friends. Sketching, I become a better listener and see others points of view a bit clearer. There is a intensity to sketching allowing us to see more clearly. Moments of understanding come about.

Without the pencil in my hand placing lines where needed, I would be forming my point of view to counter opinions coming my way. As I sketch and study my subject, my mind is more receptive to what I hear. I am not in to debating or thinking of my own experiences - I am solely into who my subject is.

The homeless man wants me to understand and see his worth. He tells me his story and I see a different person before me. Weathered lines are more important and carry more dignity, influencing the weight I place on my pencil. I draw with my entire body. Whether it be dignity or beauty, my entire body is affected as I sketch. Any stress I may have fades away as I sketch.

Autumn and painting out-on-the-spot. Those Autumn colors are always fun to put on canvas. Looking for just the right spot to set brings me to interesting farm stands. White signs tacked to trees and fenceposts saying, "Eggs and Honey," draw me off course sometimes - and sometimes to a more interesting spot to paint. I love to gather stories at these backroad farm stands. Bought an apple pie at one the other day. Asked about the barn with the sign saying, ‘Built 1854.’ Got a tour of the old barn and saw some farm equipment meant for draft horses. Looked like it could still be used. The lady showing me around spoke of her father and how he harnessed up the horses every Spring and plowed a little section of land for vegetables for canning and their dinner table. The horses added to the flavors of the vegetables that came out of that garden. Now that little garden brought in a bit more; money to keep the state from taking the farm. Mary, giving the tour, said she and her sister Paula did the repair work on the barn and when there was time they oiled down the old harnesses.

Came away with an apple pie, some butternut squash, and a half bushel of apples. Add that to the place with Indian corn and I had a full back seat with goods, two jars of honey, two dozen brown eggs, and corn stalks for the studio.

The stories and sketches are what bring me out painting every year. Farmer Chris, who leaves four rows of corn standing each year for deer and other critters that visit his property. Mr. Vargas, who boards ponies and old horses, told me about losing a couple toes in the Korean War. Sitting down and painting is an invitation for conversations, some with the farmers whose barn or house I'm including in my landscape, some with people returning from Sunday Church. One family went home and came back with coffee and donuts for my painting buddy and myself. They sat and watched us go about our business of messing up a canvas. We may not have been pleased with that day's effort, but they were.

Never know what you'll get when you follow the “Eggs & Honey” sign.