Kahill Gibran Monument

On the 27th International Sketch Crawl I joined a dozen or so artists in Washington D.C. for the day. After regrouping at the National Cathedral, we moved as a group down Massachusetts Avenue towards DuPont Circle. We passed Embassy after Embassy. The Iraq Embassy was deserted. We finally stopped as a group at this small park where there was a monument to Kahlil Gibran. I had read “The Prophet” as a budding adolescent in high school. The book is even more resonant as the years pass and my heart grows mature from its years of work. Seasons and friendships come and go. Orlando is such a transient city, usually a stepping stone to a greater challenge in a much bigger city.

This bronze statue feels light and airy, the doves are off balance as if about to take flight. As I sketched, my heart relaxed. Accuracy was less important than flow. Being in the company of artists all striving to capture and retain a moment always feels important and time stands still. After this day, the Washington D.C. artists formed a group flickr site where they could share their work. I am considering forming a similar Orlando group, but then I need to seek out others who share my vision.