There was a time when, if someone handed me a wad of cash, the first things I would buy would be art supplies and plane tickets.

I’ve been sitting on the government stimulus check for a couple of weeks now. I did get a new pair of vegan boots because my other boots were holey. I am a month behind on storage rent – because 2020 – all of my little extra jobs have been cancelled until further notice. At the beginning of the pandemic, I had to make a few survival purchases that went off-budget. On the lucky side of that I do have a small but tidy income. Just not enough to cover two months rent at the same time. But otherwise ….

The other day, when I went to pick up the new boots, I noticed that The Inkstone moved down to Telegraph Ave. Not my first choice for art supplies, but I stopped in and bought a few small things. I bought some pencils and a kneaded eraser, but the eraser doesn’t smell right. Half the reason for having a kneaded eraser is for the smell and how it reminds me of art school – even decades later. And then I remembered that I don’t have a film cannister to put it in anyway.

Now I want to walk over to Blick and blow some cash to replace some of the many art supplies and art tools that were stolen in the van. Some of those tools I had in my arsenal since art school in the mid-70s. They were imbued with decades of my energy, and the idea of having to buy new tools when I took such good care of my old ones just makes me sad. And furious. Maybe I’ll also get a few sheets of good paper if they have the kind I like in stock (Lenox 100 22×30). I found two drawing clip boards on the street that can serve me by being propped up in the front seats of The Pod. Maybe I can make that work.

I saw a photograph not long ago of David Hockney drawing in such a fashion in his car. I thought if he could do it …

I’ve never really wanted to make art in The Pod because I really don’t like making small work. But I’m going to give it a whirl and see what I can make. Probably just a big mess because I’m out of practice.

I’m different now.