Sourcing of the dream career

[Morris Darby]

I dabbled with art during my music career of 30 years. I've always been fascinated with drawing faces, however, never could. Tired of the music scene, I bought a few portrait books to study it as a hobby and started drawing with no one really knowing I was THAT interested.

I knew it would take discipline, so I drew nothing but eyes for one year...in every position...of every race. Then, moved to noses for the next year. I discovered an old friend of mine was having life drawing sessions at his house and I joined. The next year in my personal sketch book I continued my discipline and drew mouths. The following year I saw the crosshatch drawings of Rembrandt. In awe, I drew straight lines freehand for a year. First, across the page, then diagnal, then down the page.....straight lines freehand, until I got them right, all year long.

This, along with doing quick sketches in restaurants on napkins, I came across a lady who had only one B/W photo of her as a teenager and asked if I would do a color portrait of it. I had my eye on a portrait set of pastels that were $70. So, I charged her $70 for a 22x30 pastel of that photo and bought my pastel set.

That was six years ago. I still work a FT job, but produce my portraits on nights and weekends. I have a string of good priced jobs and one really nice high priced job. I hope to eventually make a full time effort of painting.......portraits for now....other paintings? I've got a lot to explore.