As we all know, 2020 was quite a year. An emotional rollercoaster that deeply affected the global population. And much of 2021 has had a similar effect. Many of us spent a lot of time in self-reflection assessing what is truly important in our lives.
Being a graphic designer since 1982, with my own business since 1995, I have worked with many of the non-profits in the Coachella Valley since our move to Palm Springs, CA in 2013 from the Chicago area, creating event branding and marketing for many of their fundraisers. On that fateful day in March 2020 when the world shut down, seven events I was working on went away just like that. How would I fill my new free time and still stay creative?
Ever since I was very young, I always made art – mostly drawing and painting. I even began my college studies as a medical illustration major. But over the years I spent all my time, eventually on the computer, creating visual communications for other people and organizations.
In the Spring of 2020, I found an online zoom life drawing group on Facebook which met the last Sunday of the month for two hours. I loved life drawing (drawing the human figure from a live model) in college and over the years, as an occasional night class at the local community college. So I joined this small group of artists from all over the U.S. once a month that summer and fall. I wanted to explore traditional media – primarily pencil and ball point pen on real paper and embraced the male figure. I loved it and realized how much I missed making art.
In December 2020 I joined Instagram, and soon found an entire global world of zoom life drawing groups who had successfully transitioned in-person groups of local artists to the online world. Soon I was drawing with amazing artists from all over the world on a regular basis. Besides making art, these two-to-three hours provided regular human connections at a time when we were all stuck at home. Slowly an incredible global artist community was built, and amazing friendships were made.
In addition to drawing with groups for a few months, I also began to reach out to individual models to set up one-on-one sessions. This zoom drawing session is typically three 20-minute poses. For about an hour-and-a-half, I am able to collaborate with them and make a real connection. Many of the men I draw are first-time models. I love drawing regular, everyday people and I provide a safe space for them to explore the experience. And it seems that the zoom option adds to that comfort which allows them to be in their own home as an artist captures them on paper.
I am also available for commissions. If you are interested in such a drawing, please reach out to me on the CONTACT page.
Mark Duebner