A chair is a chair when you sit on it

notes from getting lost in ikea

Dear reader,

The longest word in every Sneaky Art workshop is the word PHENOMENOLOGY.

To be a phenomenologist is to see familiar, everyday things as if they are PHENOMENA.

Phenomena (philosophy): an object or aspect known through the senses rather than by thought or intuition.

From Sarah Bakewell’s excellent book, At the Existentialist Cafe: Freedom, Being, and Apricot Cocktails, I learned about this philosophical movement that began in 19th century Germany as a precursor to modern existentialism. The idea was to see the world as it presented itself, rather than through our various preconceptions, biases, prejudices, foreknowledge, and inherited understandings. To refresh and re-evaluate our relationship with conscious reality.

“If the doors of perception were cleansed everything would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things through narrow chinks of his cavern.” ~ William Blake.

In my workshop, I tell participants that they must become phenomenologists too. The phenomenological sketcher draws what they see without letting prior mental images of what they know the object to be obstruct what is in front of them. You are not drawing a hand as you know it to be, or a person as you know a person looks, or a chair as a chair must look. You see a line, and follow the line.

Sometimes, this is the only way to draw a chair.

From phenomenology we can proceed naturally to existentialism:

“Existence precedes essence.” ~ Jean-Paul Sartre.

Sartre says that we are not born with an inherent, essential purpose to our life (ordained by a god, or a state, or any higher power). The purpose of one’s life is defined by one’s actions. That you create the meaning of your life. That it is your terrifying responsibility to figure this out.

Soooooooo … back to chairs.

Is a chair a chair if no one sits on it? Without a purpose for its existence, does it still have an essential self? Or does its usage as a chair define its chair-ness?

In my workshop, I bring up such fun questions as: Is a cafe a cafe if no one drinks coffee? Is a traffic light a traffic light if no one ever stops? Is a city a city…

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Reader, what are some other examples of: A _____ is a _____ only when you _____ it?

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If existential questions during a drawing session appeal to you, or someone in your life who is equally strange, sign up to my upcoming workshops in Edmonds (WA) on 15 August (Building a Spiral of Attention) and 16 August (Drawing Tiny People).

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🖼️ Open Studio Hours | 31 July

Next week, I am opening the doors to my new studio-space, with an interactive, immersive sneaky art experience for all visitors. There will be new art, prints, and linocut blocks to play with:

In addition, I am collaborating with good friend Monique to draw on a set of ceramic pieces made by her. I am super excited for this. Check out her incredible work!

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📪 A Workbook for People Watching

Zines for this month have gone in the mail to paying subscribers. This month’s edition is a workbook for people-watching. You carry it with you at all times, and make notes whenever you find a suitable candidate. The first person to finish their workbook gets a special reward!

If you are a paying subscriber interested in getting monthly zines, send me an email with your mailing address.

If you are a reader who would like to get the monthly zines, become a paying subscriber!

I am in Eau Claire (WI) this weekend to be a Writer/Artist-in-Residence at the Eaux Claires Music and Literary Festival. I am visiting this beautiful town after 7 years, and it has been a joy to see all the things that have changed and everything that has stayed the same.

Thank you for your time and attention. I am so glad to have a space in your inbox this week!