The Silver Fern Writers Workshop (263 Orange Terrace Drive, Winter Park) is held every 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month. I was invited by Elayne Pierson to come to a workshop to sketch. These workshops are open to anyone from a novice to an accomplished writer working in all genres. The workshop is conducted using the principles of the Amherst Writers & Artists, providing a unique setting where a writer can grow creatively while developing their craft. The workshop offers a warm inviting and encouraging atmosphere without any emphasis on right and wrong.
When I arrived I was invited to share with the group my artwork and explain how this blogging experiment came to be. I of course explained about the new years resolution that went on to change my life and about how Disney Feature Animation bought me to Florida only to close down 10 years later when executives decided people only wanted to see computer generated films. I then showed everyone the Creative Mind Experiment film I created which showcased several hundred of my sketches in a 3 minute short.
Then everyone was invited to write using my art as inspiration. I was surprised my my wife’s writing which had the added benefit of looking back over 19 years of our marriage exploring the art and our relationship.
Artist, Man, Husband or God?
I have known Tom for 23 years. I am still not sure if I fell in love with the artist or the man. Is it possible to separate the two? When I view his art I am not able to separate the hands that have held me from the hands that have held the pen and paintbrush. Tom doesn’t have four hands so I guess I just have to pick two hands. Then again, he only draws with one hand so maybe I can love the right hand of the artist and also love the left hand of the man. I am fairly certain that Tom is not a God although his German name is often mistaken for the Nordic name of Thor, god of thunder. I often think that Tom the husband and Tom the man enjoys this extra title, not only because everyone gets the name Thorspecken wrong, but also because who wouldn’t want to be confused with a god, even if it is a mythical god as opposed to a Judeo-Christian god.
I often wonder what people experience when they view Tom’s art as opposed to what I experience. I have watched Tom create images from an empty page for 23 years. My human nature of craving attention is served when I am in one of his drawings. Early in our lives together I frequently posed as a model for Tom. I was never a good model. I am too fidgety but I loved seeing myself reflected through his eyes. Nothing is more erotic than seeing yourself as a sexy figure in your husbands eyes.
What do other people see? Is a drawing fact or fiction? When I read historical fiction I believe if it is well researched, it is probably more truthful than history which has over time been told by mainly a white male perspective. If Tom draws in real time then what he draws is fact, yet since it is not a photograph and loosely rendered through Tom’s heart and mind, is it in fact fiction?—that is a rendering of an historical event that is open to interpretation?
The NYC street artist evolved into a Disney animator and has morphed back into a street artist. Albeit with many night clubs, theaters and restaurants thrown in. I suspect as the years go by I will always ask the question is Tom an artist, man, husband or god? I suspect the answer will always be elusive but be full of discoveries and joy.
-Terry Thorspecken
Tomorrow Thor will be sketching Doug Rhodehamels house warming party at Stardust Video and Coffee.