Trumpstein Files and Life Drawing

New Sack Cartoon—-Namedropper

His name is most mentioned in the files. You know on some level he likes that.

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Fun Art—-Life Drawing

I had to retire from cartooning four years ago after nerve damage to my drawing hand made even holding a pencil difficult.

For a long time, I didn’t even try to draw. I made a few half-hearted attempts to train my left hand, but it was frustrating and awkward—and without a deadline, it felt pointless. So I stopped and focused instead on my 3D sculpting.

About six months ago, as a self-styled “physical therapy”, I decided to try again. I began attending a weekly life-drawing session at a Minneapolis studio.

I didn’t have high expectations. My goal was simply to work on basic gesture drawings and see if anything came back. To my surprise, it did. Slowly. Imperfectly—but enough to be encouraging.

The atmosphere was relaxed and welcoming, and it’s always a pleasure to be around other artists. The group includes students, instructors, professional painters, illustrators, sculptors, and even a couple of fellow cartoonists, including my longtime cartoon buddy, Steve Artley.

Life drawings, conte chalk on cheap newsprint

Here are a few examples. Not great, but not bad (the bad ones I won’t show!) The models pose in a series of 2-, 5-, 10-, and 15-minute sessions.

I was pleased enough with the results. You can see my weak spot: faces and hands. My left hand still doesn’t have anywhere near the fine motor control needed for detailed work.

But after thinking that part of my life was over, I was drawing again.

Slowly adapting. Fumbling forward.

The studio I attend is run by Florence Hill, the Minneapolis-based artist who has led this remarkable group for more than fifty consecutive years—never missing a beat, even through the pandemic.

A lifelong painter and teacher, Florence works fluently across multiple mediums, has mounted numerous gallery exhibitions, and has received international awards. Beloved in the local art world, she has created not just a place to draw, but a vital creative home where artists are supported, challenged, and inspired.

This experience has given me structure and motivation. Thanks largely to Florence’s generosity and the community she’s built, I’ve found my way back to something I thought I’d lost.

And that feels like a small miracle.

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As you may have noticed, I’ve also begun drawing a few new cartoons again. Trump’s ICE Gestapo Minneapolis invasion pissed me off enough to give it a try. Say what you will about the guy, he can be inspiring.

I don’t know how often I’ll be doing new work. I’m not putting myself on a schedule. I’m still not up to speed, and drawing takes about three times as long as it used to.

But I love to draw.

So we shall see.

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