A Sketchy Figure

We spend an hour every Monday at the Goggleworks, a center for the arts in Reading, while Emily is in her dance class. Stuart and Edward usually play a game of chess, and I usually do some writing.

On Monday, a man we guessed was an artist approached us about drawing a quick sketch of Edward. It took us off guard as we were busy doing our various activites, but we agreed. He asked if we might give him a donation for it if we liked it when he finished.

How could we say no? The man looked like he could use a few dollars.

The man looked rather scruffy and had a few teeth missing in his mouth, but he chatted with us in a friendly way as he sketched. He'd started drawing when he was about Edward's age, he said. He had a small, beat-up leather case and sketch pad. And he obviously loved art as he talked about the various different artists' paintings around us.

Edward sat so still, staring at him while he drew. He was thrilled to be chosen as a model.

In about 10 minutes, he showed us what he'd created. It was amazing. Not a Picasso or Monet -- perhaps more of a Gauguin? -- but a very talented sketch, nonetheless. We gave him the donation and many, many thanks. Edward showed him some of his drawings of ships and airplanes.

I think it brightened his day....

I know he brightened ours. Edward can't wait to hang the drawing in his room.