When I first started seriously doing visual work I saved every little piece of sketch ephemera. As I became more serious about it all, I began to woodshed every night no matter where in the world I was or what else was going on.

From a practical point of view, I could not possible save every sketchbook. Philosophically, I have sea changed. Now it is about serving the process and the joy in doing so. I need not save every hand or body part achieved during a session. In some ways I have always seen myself as a musician. A sax player has their horn but what they play is an intangible. The power of their art is bolstered by the freedom of knowing that they (and the audience) can maintain the memory and emotion of a solo but it also is ever dissolving. I started to approach my woodshedding pieces akin to this. The memories, pleasures and process stack up and become an integral part of me.

I work hard to make it easy. few hours every day drawing so that I can peel things off when I want to or when I slow my roll to do a painting, it’s easier.

There is always a pocket pad on me or scrap paper. I also utilize more formal sketchpads of higher quality paper. These I tend to hold on to and will put in drawings that are more than woodshedding. Often, especially when on the road, I combine text (by me) with drawings. These are my jazz, my bop, spontaneous and in reaction to what is going on around me.

Here is a quick sketch I peel off using a lead holder. Immediately upon finishing came text. 5×7 Hardbound French paper. Not for use without permission.