I've Seen Lonely Times

Maybe it's me, maybe it's the pose of this model or the look in his eyes, but I found myself thinking about the words to James Taylor's song, Fire and Rain as I drew this drawing recently.

". . . I've seen fire and I've seen rain. I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end.
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend, but I always thought that I'd see you again."

I think all people experience and struggle with loneliness at times in their lives, a sense of isolation and emptiness . . . a feeling of wanting to be with others, but finding ourselves disconnected, perhaps even alienated or abandoned. 

Some thinkers say this is just part of being human. "We come into the world alone, travel through life as a separate person and ultimately die alone." Others believe we are not meant to be alone -- that we are complete only when we find another person to share our life with.  And still other say we can only fill the hole in our heart when we have a close relationship with God.      

 I've Seen Lonely Times. Mixed media on tinted Strathmore paper. 14 x 18 inches. 2017. 

Drawing of a live model.

Never Look Back

I can't live
If living is without you
I can't live
I can't give anymore
I can't live
If living is without you
I can't give
I can't give anymore
 ~ from lyrics to "Without You" 
as sung by Mariah Carey

 I always knew looking back on my tears would bring me laughter,
but I never knew looking back on my laughter would make me cry.
~ Cat Stevens

Pan Pastel and Graphite on Toned Paper. 9 x 12 inches. 2017.