'Texture"

                   Every artist like myself loves to create a work of art that looks "Real" so real that it can jump right off of the canvas.  Texture is used to create this effect.
                   In pencil, this can be done by presenting a pattern of value, light to dark or flash of highlight itself.    The consistent stroke of the pencil, such as to render a subject's hair, for instance, fur on an animal or surface of an object , wood sand..etc..
                   In paints, all the above can be used BUT a painter will also apply various thickness of the medium.  Painting knives are excellent for this.
                   In clay, grooves cut into the soft resin, makes lines and deep grooves either stationary or on a potter's wheel.
                   In wood working, much like clay, it can be cut or chiseled, only the artist will sand the wood to a silky finish .  Stains bring out the wood's natural beauty thus completing the fished product.
                   All this says that in the end of each process,  the work is more lovely and appreciated.
       I got thinking about "Texture" quote on quote while resting to battle off this flu. The only real difference between Wood, clay and paint verses pencil is simply "Feel or Touch".   Thinking about it, a person can feel or touch wood , clay or even the strokes of paint on the canvas.  "Smell or Fragrance" can as well be used for the same three, oil paints, especially have a distinct odor, wood being cut or sanding, has a almost spicy sweet fragrance and well clay..is earth.  Pencil is one of the most limited I guess out of all of the forms of art.
                 Pencil, however is my favorite because, unlike wood, clay and paint, which starts out as form.  Pencil has to work to create form out of nothingness...that is an awesome thought.
                 Aside from that and back on the subject of "Feel" as living, breathing beings this is the focus of who we are.
                 I think of how the sensations we encounter in our everyday lives, that we may take for granted.
For instance, after spending all day on our feet, how good it feels, just to take off our shoes and feel the carpeting as we walk in our homes, or maybe even walking through the grass on a warm summer day in our bare feet.
                My favorite, going to the beach and taking off your shoes to enjoy the warm crystal sand against your feet, its almost a pity to get into the water.  How about when you are tired and a nice hot shower just sounds good to you.  That first wave of soothing water hits and you close your eyes, just taking in those few moments of pleasure.
               Above all these, I think the most I miss is being held by a man for comfort, or even holding him for his comfort.  Touch is an amazing thing, somehow, no matter how the day goes, all worries and hurts just go away and it is made right again.
               If an artist can covey all of  " Texture", then he or she has done their job.  After all artist can go by memory and how that memory felt.  Just experiencing the joy that I give to others by those savored moments in my life, not only adds the "Feel' but adds "Texture" not only for myself, which is a mute point but to the ones I create for.   That is where the true beauty lies.