In part because of our Website and its growing prominence, I often hear from past students or others who have been touched by my book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, or the DRSB Workshops they have taken. With his permission, I share here a recent exchange with a student from more than 20 years ago. I am so happy to know that he continues to draw and benefit from what he learned in our workshops. Thank you for reaching out, Jim!
If you participated in one of our workshops over the years, we'd love to hear from you! Are you still drawing? We hope so! To let us know, just use the Contact form.
To: Betty Edwards
From: James Nickelson
Subject: 1990s pupil
Betty, I was surfing the net and on an impulse found your website. I was so pleased to see you still active. You and Brian continue to work your special magic. I cannot think of another activity wherein a skill can have such a dramatic flowering as your seminars. I was a three-time student and my wife and youngest son also attended a week session in the mid-1990s. I still remember most fondly the week I spent in Rome when you had your first seminar there in 1993. I am retired now, living in Las Vegas and in my 85th year. I am planning on going to 100 with sketchbooks in hand!!!! God bless you and keep all of our Right Brains active.
From: Betty Edwards
To: James Nickelson
Dear Jim,
How lovely to hear from you! I have a clear memory of you and your wife and son, and fond memories of that workshop in Rome. Ah, those were wonderful times! I am 90 now and my traveling days are long over, but, like you, I am hoping for some more years to enjoy life. Part of what makes it fun is hearing from friends of days gone by. Thank you! Brian carries on with the workshops, which makes me very happy. If you go traveling and sketching, do send me some sketches that we can post on our website to inspire others to keep sketchbooks.
Please give my best regards to your family. Here’s to drawing!
Betty
To: Betty Edwards
From: James Nickelson
Betty----Here are two examples of "post Edwards" drawings that I am most proud of. The first is a landscape study, the Plaza Major in Madrid, which I did for my daughter who had visited there. The second is a "people" study, which emphasizes "foreshortening"--a very difficult (for me) realism. I could never have accomplished either if not for you brilliant tutelage.
Forever, thank you.
Jim
From: Betty Edwards
To: James Nickelson
Dear Jim,
I am impressed! The Plaza drawing is a tour de force—extremely difficult to accomplish and beautifully drawn. Quite a present for your daughter! And the second drawing is also exceptional. Foreshortening is always difficult to pull off, and you have done it! I would love to take credit for your accomplishment, but I think the credit is yours alone. I can see the dedication to carry the lessons forward in both drawings.
With warm regards,
Betty