Taking time to draw places I've visited helps me better understand them. Drawing forces me to break places down into simple shapes and lighting. Then, slowly put them back together, piece by piece, until it comes to life on the page. Often this process allows a bond and respect for these places not previously available.

Drawing also allows me to live in and experience worlds I've never been... like a good book or movie can do. I wasn't able to spend much time with the recent super moon but friend and fellow creator Kathy Partin has been spending a lot of time capturing and sharing beautiful imagery of the night sky and had a great session with the super moon. Its not the same as being there but I was able to get a sense of what it was like by carefully studying a beautiful image she made and then creating this drawing.

Each project is different and people have wildly varying reasons for creating the things they do but often its not primarily about the end result- its about the process. Here's what Kathy had this to say about her passion for creating night imagery:

"I enjoy seeing the world in a different light. There is a stillness at night that allows peace to settle into my being. The night sky reminds me of how insignificant I am in the Grand scheme of things. When I'm out there my senses become heightened and I'm more in tune with the earth."

You can see photos on her Facebook page: https://goo.gl/v4wDCo