An Art Lesson with a Master Sculptor

 

Here we are, another day completed. If you’ve been following our blog, you now know our morning schedule as well as we do: wake up, cold shower, breakfast, spiritual prep, Spanish. This morning proved no different.

 

 

This afternoon, however, we got to participate in something that was brand new to every one of us. We had the honor of taking a three hour long art class with renowned Todos Santos sculptor, Benito Ortega. This is an activity that Link has been trying to arrange for eight years, and at last, this year, Benito was available to teach us. Benito led us in a multi-step lesson designed to introduce us to the process and foundational skills of sculpting.

 

 

As we started drawing, then eventually sculpting human faces, Benito shuffled around looking at our work and offering tips and wisdom to make our art feel more natural. “Necesitas practicar más,” he’d say if we ever felt frustrated with our work. He reminded us that every artist starts somewhere and all you need is more time and practice.

 

 

As we progressed further in the session, there was more talking, more laughing, and more sage advice. The sun started to set, the rays radiating down the sidewalk and hitting the golden statue of Mary, Joseph, and Jesus. The shop turned golden as the sun set, everything glistening in its rays. We balked at the beauty of it. Class came to an end, and we shared our gratitude and goodbyes to Benito. Then we headed toward the plaza. We were able to catch the sunset as the sun sank slowly into the waves of the Pacific.

 

 

 

Here, we are consistently reminded of all the articulated and natural beauty this place has to offer us.

-Maya