A week in Washington D.C. over the 250th Anniversary of the United States brought a myriad of surprises. The heat was exceptional with not a single day below 101F and a humidity we rarely feel in Texas. The crowds were everywhere with background chattered as they oohed and awed over the fireworks, display of aircraft in the fly over and exhibits at some of the museums. For me it was a sketching dream and I did 24 sketches in 6 days. Some will be the future paintings and others were my thoughts along the way. With my cane, many came to stand behind me and ask questions. Others wanted me to draw them and their families which I do not usually do while some just stopped out of curiosity.
It struck me how rarely we see people in our society with mobility tools other than a wheelchair. My cane is white and red with a roller ball to help me navigate with my restricted low vision. Its presence in society acts as a parting of the seas and its use and meaning arouse much curiosity. In the National Natural History museum I was sitting down when a child of around 6 began asking me questions about its use. I ended up drawing the family as I thought they should be (1). Outside of the museum was a man chanting (2). In the subway was a group of
Special needs children and one tried to comfort the other (3). In the park was a man trying to gain some shade and escape the heat (4). Everywhere I turned there were voices giving me the faces of D.C. where a quick two minute sketch flew from my pencil onto the small pad I always keep with me (5,6,7).
the family of a mother and 3 children
A Buddhist monk
The subway of a very frightened girl and an older boy protecting her
Man laying in the grass
Woman in Starbucks shaking a tambourine
A girl hanging out on her cellphone while her parents were inside a museum
three sisters singing on a bench
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