[Lon Haverly]

I guess "street artists" like me need a little validation from the mainstream art world. Even though I lease a very expensive space on a busy mall, I am a street artist. But what we do is a bit unique. I would love to travel like you do and see the many other street artists. I did travel once to the old Soviet Union with a church outreach, and saw some street artists there who were to be pitied for their poverty, but extoled for their fabulous art.

I have made public sketching my life's work because it is so very challenging and satisfying, but not always very profitable. But I am in it for the art of it, not just for the money. If I had to choose between painting in a studio alone and making lots more money, or working as I do in public for perhaps less, it would be a very hard choice, because I really love the human element of working from life. I find working from photos, even good ones, even my own, tedious and tiring. Nothing compares, as far as I am concerned, to working from life. That is perhaps the difference between the old masters and the new ones. They had no cameras.

I respect your excellent views, and your great ability to encourage artists here. Keep it up. We need you!