Sunset Parade @ Iwo Jima Memorial

On my way to the Iwo Jima Memorial last night I had an urge to draw. I kept getting images in my head of myself sitting with my back against a tree sketching while listening to the band play. So I made a quick pit-stop at a CVS and picked up a pack of felt tipped pens and a drawing pad. I arrived early enough to get a good vantage point of the band and the memorial and set about sketching. Not for any purpose but to fulfill a creative urge that I love to give into. While I was sitting there, the crowds grew bigger and eventually everyone sat down on the grass or mulch for the show. I found myself pretty cramped as I was surrounded by a Mennonite family, who, seem to have no sense of personal space. One lady sat so close to me that she was brushing against me. Keep in mind this is an open grassy hill that people can spread out and sit where they want. They were loud at first but eventually settled down to watch the show. I was feeling a bit perturbed at first, but just took a deep breath and let it go. After the show came to a close the lady leaned over and offered me money if I autographed the above sketch and gave it to her. I told her it was just a sketch and that she could just have it, if I could take a picture of it first. I couldn't believe someone wanted to give me money for my doodles. I was just enjoying myself, listening to the band and drawing on a warm summer evening. I couldn't have been happier and that was quite a surprise. I felt a little embarrassed because when I got up to hand her the drawing there was a little crowd around me looking at it. I wonder if that urge to pick up paper and pen and draw .... will have changed someone's life one day... just a little.