Isabel Bishop Early Sketchbook c. 1928 - 1936

This page of loose sketches, by Isabel Bishop, is all about trying to catch the figure. The artist's hand moves quickly, like a hummingbird, capturing many versions of a similar scene. The pen strokes remind me of quick breaths, capturing the essence of a person in a fleeting moment. I can almost see Bishop there, perched somewhere, rapidly making marks in her sketchbook, trying to not be noticed. I wonder, what was she thinking as she drew these figures? Was she just interested in how they looked? Or was she thinking about their lives, their stories? I can imagine her seeing these people, and her mind starting to wander. These sketches are a reminder that art is not always about grand statements or finished products. It can also be about small, quiet moments of observation and exploration. These small studies are about seeing the world around you. It reminds me that art is a conversation, an ongoing dialogue between artists, their subjects, and the world.