Sketch Book for the Artist

THIS STORM DRAWING, made on smooth,

hot-pressed drawing paper (see pp.20-21)

using a thin stick of willow charcoal, was

made with gentle but unhesitating speed.

Looking back and forth from the heavens

to firmly taped-down paper, I worked quickly

to catch and weave the turbulent contrasts

of rising wind and approaching water before

the drawing could be washed away.

Cloudburst