Native Places: Drawing as a Way to See

by Frank Harmon

Native Places is a collection of 64 watercolor sketches paired with mini-essays about architecture, landscape, everyday objects, and nature. The sketches relate the delight found in ordinary places. The short essays, rather than repeat what is visible in the sketch, illustrate ideas and thoughts sparked by that image and offer a fresh interpretation of ordinary things. The goal of Native Places is, in part, to transform the way we see. Through its pages, barns become guidebooks to crops and weather; a country church is redolent of the struggle for civil rights and human dignity; and a highway rest stop offers a glimpse of egalitarian society. Native Places also expresses the belief that writing and hand drawing are not obsolete skills. Both disciplines offer us the opportunity to develop a natural grace in the way we view the world and take part in it.

168 pages, Hardcover

Published September 16, 2018

Reviews

[Ken The Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This famed architect shares some of his favorite places, ideas, objects and memories in a book that proves to be a salve for the soul. I learned so much about our world that I did not know - both near and far!

[Marth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peaceful, enlightening, and educational. Beautiful and airy yet strong sketches with strong memories of places.

[Michelle Vaughn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meditative, soothing, and enlightening.