A Bumbershoot, Bachata, and an Artist Named Hannah
It was a startlingly vibrant February morning. I donned my headphones and bachata’d my way to the grocery store while listening to Canadian guitarist Jesse Cook.
My sister had recommended his albums; she often plays them in the background when she’s sitting on her deck entertaining friends.
Jesse is an excellent walking companion. The music seeps in and soon you find yourself foot-tapping, swaying, or offering an approving head-nod in time with his flamenco-ethno-jazz infused tunes.
On my way back home, dark clouds slunk across the sky.
The day before, I had left my umbrella at a museum. Fortunately, I was only a block away from where I had abandoned my protective canopy.
In Glasgow the question isn’t Will it rain?—the question is what time(s) will it be raining today? Glasgow weather is a petulant child. And I love her. When she’s feeling rebellious, I simply invent reasons to stay inside and write.
I danced into the museum just as fat raindrops began pelting down on the diagonal.
Placing my jug of milk and my coffee on the reception counter, I retrieved my pink-and-white polka-dotted bumbershoot that had been standing patiently in the corner.
And this is when I met an amazing young visual artist, Hannah.
She had been working on gorgeous ink sketches. The kind that makes you stop mid-step and lean a little closer.
The above image was inspired by this 2022 movie, The Banshees of Inisherin, starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson.
All of her ink sketches are incredibly detailed.
Her sketchpad is overflowing with creativity; I hope it’s insured by Lloyds of London.
When I asked if she had a favorite pen she prefers when creating such extraordinary work, she shrugged and said she uses whatever happens to be handy.
That answer instantly elevated my admiration for her craftsmanship.
As a writer, if I’m not typing on a keyboard, chances are I’m using my trusty TUL pen. I love the smooth flow of the ink, which transforms my illegible scribbles into something that almost resembles dainty calligraphy. Feel free to browse here: https://tulstore.com/. Note: I’m a big fan of these pens, I don’t have a relationship with this manufacturer, I just like to share tools that I enjoy using.
Seeing beautiful art—whether in a museum or on a new friend’s sketchpad—nurtures my creativity and imagination. It supplies a quiet, lovely sort of inner energy.
By the time I stepped back outside, the clouds had sailed to another destination. I merengue-ed my way home through the dazzling sunshine, put the milk away, and returned to the business of writing.
If you ever have the good fortune of meeting someone quietly making beautiful things—whether on a museum bench or a café table—pause and take a look. Encouraging creative people is one of the simplest ways to improve the world.
These sketches are inked proof that Hannah’s progress is well worth following. For more art appreciation, follow Hannah on Instagram.
