in the studio : July 2010

It was 9 am and already 82° when I headed out to my studio sunday morning. It's a two mile walk or so. I usually break it up with a stop for a cup of coffee or breakfast on the way.

This sunday Margaret walked with me to Philadelphia Java Company. We had coffee, tea, and some breakfast buns and I ordered a sandwich for lunch. It was a refreshing stop — I headed the rest of the way to my studio alone. The sun was beating down on South Philly a place bereft of trees and almost impossible to find a sliver of shade.

I arrived at the back of Factory 1241 and came up the loading dock fire stairs. I walked up to the third floor.

Opening my huge sliding door let some heat escape, I walked to the fridge and took out a bottle of water. Looking a the thermometer it read 90°. Time to turn on the Vornado and the air-conditioner, put my feet up a bit, stop dripping and change into my studio clothes.

It was really wonderful how quickly my mind emptied of any thought but the series of marks I was making on the bright white rag vellum. Making the marks continued almost nonstop. Just a break for my sandwich. I made three new drawings.