Putting it out there… That is what an artist does.

Every artist writes his own autobiography.
                                             ~ Havelock Ellis

Putting it out there… That is what an artist does. I am realizing that more and more, I am writing my autobiography. An artist does put it all out there.

Quakers (the Religious Society of Friends) has been taking more of my time lately. I just finished the Northern Yearly Meeting eNews for July. For the past few years, I edited and produced the eNews for the yearly meeting.

For most of my writing now, I am using Grammarly. Yes, it is AI, and since I am dyslexic, it is very helpful. However, there are still mistakes, mostly because of reading errors. I get impatient and skim. I found that it is not good for proofreading. I am considering writing more about my life, but I don’t know how open I want to be. 

Derwent Inktense pencils and blocks have captured my attention as a new medium, and I am playing with them in combination with other materials that I am comfortable using. Applying the Inktense color with a brush was a concern because it has been quite a while since I last used watercolor or a brush. After playing with them, have a handle on the ink, but not a tight grip. : ) My pen work over the last couple of years has been beneficial.

I think of my friends Joe Sinness and Andrea Carlson, artists who are adept with wet media and can create sharp lines and crisp edges. 

I am drawing more and finding it rewarding—it allows me to center, and it is a meditative practice for me. Over the last few months, I have created three or four new pieces.

Below is a fun and quirky piece I created by playing and experimenting with Derwent Inktense pencils and my pens.

IMG_4582-Color Study 06202024
IMG_4582-Color Study 06202024

Author: Bill Hendricks -- Shadowmason

I’m an artist and educator based in Minneapolis, working under the name I’m an artist and educator based in Minneapolis, working under the name **Bill Hendricks / Shadowmason** (and as **Tap Quentin** in Second Life). After teaching Graphic Design and Fine Art for over twenty years, I returned fully to studio practice. My work explores masculinity, spirituality, and transformation across drawing, painting, mixed media, and digital environments. I’m currently looking for gallery representation and opportunities to share this work more widely.Shadowmason (and as Tap Quentin in Second Life). After teaching Graphic Design and Fine Art for over twenty years, I returned fully to studio practice. My work explores masculinity, spirituality, and transformation across drawing, painting, mixed media, and digital environments. I’m currently looking for gallery representation and opportunities to share this work more widely.

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