Why draw?

I draw to collect imagery and information which informs my predominately studio oriented practice. I see drawing as a form of short hand used for gathering data from the world. In time, I became aware that in my gathering process, a subliminal hierarchy overtakes my brain and I’m able to hone in on specific objects containing “significant particulars” important to me. I recognize these objects unconsciously while drawing, and may not figure out what they mean until (in some cases) months or years later. I have learned to trust this process completely and to trust the truth of each objects hidden but potent meaning to me. The very nature of this form of “collecting by drawing” seems related to the nature of poetry, and the process supports my interest in creating artworks that read like poetry. Also, without drawing there is no discovery of self and without that no discovery of the world I want to illuminate in my works. I don’t draw to learn how to “see”, I draw to learn how I feel about what I’m seeing and by doing that I cull and distill from the world around me, those visuals which are most important to my personal voice. 

— Sheila Coppola

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