3.  Original Plein Air Drawing, “Portrait of Max on Laptop, 5.29.24”, ink, 9 x 12”, 2024

Location: Denver, CO

This portrait drawing of my artist friend Max came out successfully. Although he is not posing for this piece, he was aware I was drawing him (of course), and so was patient and tried not to move too much. Intimate portraits like this one, unposed, of people doing what they would normally be doing, are my favorite kinds of artworks to make. I stayed with Max for several days after the conclusion of ArtX Flagstaff (Event #1 on Art Tour 2024), without the intention to paint or draw. We both are full-time working artists, so during the day while Max was doing some laptop-related work, I was free to draw him. The three portraits of Max made during this stopover in Denver are my favorite works from Art Tour 2024. In the foreground, you can see the inclusion in the drawing of the sketchbook itself, including a drawing of the drawing, the top of Max’s head, the spiral binding, doubled because of the focus on the midground object of Max in his chair (try holding your hand in front of you at arms length and focus on the wall beyond or the horizon - two hands!).