When I first started sketching at these evens I felt a little self conscience, after all they are somewhat somber gatherings, with a tear shed and often times laughter as the full array of emotions are on display.
My self awareness was eased somewhat as I thought of some of the published photos of funeral services that came to mind: Emmett Till's open casket that helped launch the civil rights movement, Moneta Sleet, Jr.'s iconic photo of a weeping Coretta Scott King and family, to the televised services of some 'pop' celebrity and my own observations of family, friends and loved ones with camera/smart phones snapping away or making a video of the services.
So, why not me...after all I'm not trying to instigate something or create some memorable piece of art. Just do what I've always done, carry a sketch book at all times and record body language and the emotions associated with them on paper in an entertaining, eye appealing way.
My equipment in hand...sketchbook and pen.
Funerals being what I consider a 'special' occasion (weddings, anniversaries, birthday's, party's in general fit this description) require better looking sketchbooks.
My regular sketchbooks get pretty ragged and as LaVonne would say "tacky" looking after a week or two of use from my pen.
I carry better looking sketchbooks to match my attire and the event being sketched.
(See Quick Sketching with Ron Husband or the Revised and Expanded version page 333.)
The tacky, well worn sketchbook (below) after a couple of weeks of my pen.
The 'good stuff' in sketchbooks...
10" x 7 1/2" (below) gift from Willie Williams formerly of the animation department at Sam Houston State University when I gave a workshop/lecture there a few years ago.
Lets begin...
As always, sketchbook in hand while most others sit quietly, whisper softly or look at their watches waiting for the service to begin, I am observing (first law of a quick sketcher) the people in my line of view.
Getting the casket there...
Outdoor service (above) as the attendants were short handed and got the services of a grounds worker (hard hat) to help them carry the casket to the location.
Added bonus, a lady nearby clears a grave marker of debris on a somewhat warm afternoon.
Inside service the casket is rolled in (right).
At the casket...
Funeral attendants make sure everything is just right (right and below).
Once in place, the flowers are placed on the casket (below)...
a lady sitting beside the casket (below)...
There are words of encouragement and sometimes a dash of humor (below)...
Most interesting to me is the attendees viewing of the inhabitant of the casket.
The body language of the viewer, a tilt of the head combined with a long or sometimes short parting look is observed.
Capturing that somber moment in pen is the challenge...can you put text to the body language?
Some walk past with a slight glance...
others stop and stare (right)...as if summoning up every pleasant memory of the loved one (below)......
a closer look perhaps (below)...
the support of others (below)...
At the end of a indoor military service (below) there is the folding of the stars and stripes to be presented to the family.
Until next time...
