I have tried in my way to be free
a note from someone who found my tiny drawing + events
Dear reader,
A few years ago, I began leaving art in public spaces for strangers to find. My work was feeling too precious, and I needed to get over it. By giving away something I had made, I sought control over my destiny, my creative journey, and my skills.
Vancouver, and the Pacific Northwest in general, is full of Little Free Libraries, and I carry extra drawings in my bag just in case I run into one.
When I find a Little Free Library, I leave inside a drawing and a little note for the stranger who might find it.
I do it without expectations, and have heard back from finders only 2-3 times. It happened with this one:
I have suffered 3 major traumas recently, like the 3 electricity charged cylinders in your sketch … On Sunday, I was a few minutes early to my first counselling session at 5pm and I took a few minutes in the plaza, I looked in the tiny library. Finding your sketch, reading the quote and your message. Hit me hard… I have tried in my way to be free - how could this stranger know that? I felt a wink of recognition from a stranger who knows being chained doesn’t stop you being free.
Thank you Nishant. You have helped me more than you could ever know.
Reader, as I am in the habit of asking myself difficult questions, I will often return to this classic: Why do we make art? Who cares? In my low moments, there is no answer. On the good days, I can come up with some good words.
Reading this email, I got another answer -
We make art so that it will be seen, and we will be seen. We make art because in it someone may see themselves too. The making and sharing of art, and these glimpses of self, are reminders of our interconnectedness. What is worth more than that?
This morning there was another message in my inbox, this time from a reader asking after a post I had written about art in the age of AI. They could not find it, but a quote had stuck with them. I wrote that post in December 2023, at the start of the GenAI hype-cycle, and it closes with three big predictions:
In two years, AI Art will be as inimitable and useful as stock photos. It will also be just as valuable as a stock photo.
The value of verifiably human things will skyrocket.
This is the best time to be an artist.
I am proud to stand behind each of them.
The SneakyArt Post is a newsletter of secretly drawn art of the world. I share thoughts and ideas and sketchbook pages from my journey as an artist and writer. You can support my work simply by sharing it with someone who might like it too.
🗽 [New York City] I am doing a workshop in NYC on Saturday, May 2. Some seats are still available. Tap to learn more, share with someone you know, or sign up!
💻 [Draw Tiny People] My online course, with over 7 hours of content and a thriving community of 500+ sketchers, is reopening for registrations this week. Grab a special price by signing up to the waiting list!
This Friday, The Beaumont is hosting an exciting night of art, live music, a full bar, and raffle prizes. Art Incognito features 200+ anonymous artworks at a fixed price. You find out who made it only after buying it. Grab a ticket!
My studio doors will also be open from 6pm until 9pm. If you live in the Vancouver area, I hope to see you there.
Thank you for reading.
But I do agree with your entire message that art is meant to be shared and connect with others. I think there is a lot of value in sharing our work, even freely available. Being an artist now is important than ever to remind us the value of human made art.
I loved this post, and your perspective. Now I know what to do with that collection of little cards I bought back when I was doing rubber stamping. What fun it would be to find one of your sketches, in a book or anywhere. A very clever idea, Nishant, and obviously one that has had significant impact. This is what art is about--that, and allowing us to express our own selves, a basic human need that may not always be met in a way that fulfills us. Thank you!