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The Art Of Sweeter, Simpler Days

Annmarie Throckmorton, M.A.
Apr 10, 2018
1 min read

I used to draw pencil sketch illustrations for a very small but delightfully original literary arts publication in Columbus, Ohio (1992-1995). The name of little newspaper eludes me, but I have posted several of my illustrations for it below. Pencil sketches capture emotion in the drawing hand movement that is not precisely available in any other art form. My hands hurt too much to enjoy drawing now, so I tend to express my thoughts digitally, but I used to love the feel of the lead line drawing off of the pencil in a smooth flow. It was sensual. Sometimes I would doodle with a pencil, and then surprise myself with a finished drawing a few hours later. It was exciting!

I never actually met the publisher in person. She had seen my artwork somewhere and liked it, so thereafter, once a month she would telephone me, read me a poem or short story, and leave me to illustrate it as I saw fit. I would mail her the original artwork and she would print it. My fee was a “free” subscription to her newspaper. Those sweeter, simpler days days.