Kindred : Empathy Through Drawing by Will Jamison
By drawing people I can relate to, I connect with them in a meaningful way.
I recently reconnected with my middle school art teacher. She was an early mentor for me. I drew her painting in her studio.
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I drew myself and my suitemates. Because we are so close, drawing them feels natural and enjoyable for me.
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When I’m drawing vacant environments, I feel much less connected and lonely.
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While there’s much to draw in these environments, the lack of people within these spaces makes me feel secluded from the rest of my community.
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Because I am gay, LGBTQ+ events (such as drag shows) help me make new connections. Drawing individuals I identify with fosters more empathy .
By drawing more people that I connect with, I rediscover this empathetic connection.
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These people in the food court saw me drawing them.
They were eager to see the drawing and had such positive responses. Their enthusiasm inspired me.
I also tend to draw people focused on their technology, ignoring the world around them. It feels ike an introverted move, and it’s one that I certainly relate to.
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While I’m not always familiar with my drawing subjects, depicting complex groups of people and settings fascinates me.
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I connect to communities through relating to my subjects and documenting these experiences in my sketchbook.
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