Here it is a full 10 days until Christmas 2015, and I must tell you, Dear Readers, that I have cheated on my present. It's open, it's set up and it's in use! I admit it, I've been naughty!
My family members don't always understand my answers to ubiquitous questions like: "So, what do you want for Christmas/your birthday this year?" I don't see the problem though; I think that I'm pretty easy in the present department. I like art stuff; get me art stuff! Of course, I like PARTICULAR art stuff; not just any will do mind you. Gift cards to my favorite art store do nicely. See, I'm actually easy to buy for, and I bet you are too My Fellow Artiste.
This year, I put in the work to find my own present and I SCORED big time. At least, for a nerd like me. As I was roaming the accursed Craigslist several weeks ago I came across a Hamilton VR20 industrial drafting table. This particular model has a motor that raises and lowers the drawing board. AWESOME. So I contact the seller, I arrange to meet and see the table, I like, a lot, I negotiate a better price than the original listing, and I load the thing into my truck and drive, 2 1/2 hours, back home, my Precious riding in the bed. Did you get the part about the motorized lift? A tap of the toe makes the drawing surface either raise or lower. No more fiddling with levers and springs and knobs! The tilt is still mechanical, but my next purchase will address that shortcoming! (It never ends, does it?)
After I got the table home, I examined it thoroughly and found it to be in excellent condition. I also found a label stating that the table was manufactured in 1979. Wow. This thing was built to last and it works as if it were new. This was a great find, and hopefully, I've kept it out of the landfill for a few more generations. I wish I knew the back story of this table. Was it used in a factory? An R&D Department? A university Drafting Classroom. I will likely never know, but in my imagination, the design for the hoverboard from Back to the Future II was created on MY table.
Anyway, I feel good about rescuing an awesome piece of art studio furniture from neglect or abandon. I hope that it provides me many years of faithful service, but I am prepared to fix it when the lift mechanism is done. I would certainly encourage you, My Fellow Artistes, to occasionally peruse the inter-webby to see if there might be some perfect piece of productive paraphernalia for your picture-producing pursuits.
My family are glad for me to have this object that I so terribly wanted, though they can't grasp why I needed it. That's OK. Most of the people in my life don't understand The Sickness that dwells within we artists. I choose patience, dialog and understanding over confrontation when it comes to my art studio because I realize that I am the anomaly. People who lack the drive to create can't understand the importance of the trappings of art making. I think you have to work out a deal with these people in your life. Every deal is different but forming that partnership is crucial, unless you are deeply antisocial. I hope that you have learned how to balance this equation in your life because no artist should feel impeded by their loved ones. Creative energy must flow outwardly and the artist's work space is a safe zone for his/her pursuits.
I look at it this way: Yeah, I spend too much money on art supplies. I admit it, I'm a junkie. However, I could be spending the same money on horse races, booze and fast women! Take your pick Family!
Now go make some art!
Chris Ingram
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