How drawing taught me to see the extraordinary in the everyday
Ten years ago, I found myself sitting in on a drawing class in Oakland. The topic that day was shading—how to capture the play of light and shadow around an image. The instructor gave a beautiful demonstration, and I was captivated. I thanked them, left the classroom, and barely made it out the door before bursting into tears.
Why? Because I suddenly realized how much I had never seen. Apparently, I had spent my life looking at the world but not really noticing it—the way light wraps around objects, the subtle shadows that define their edges, the quiet interplay between darkness and brilliance. I was overwhelmed by everything I had missed for so many years.
Frederick Franck captures this revelation perfectly in his book Zen and the Art of Seeing:
“I have learned that what I have not drawn I have never really seen, and that when I start drawing an ordinary thing I realize how extraordinary it is, sheer miracle: the branching of a tree, the structure of a dandelion’s puff… I discover that among the Ten Thousand Things there is no ordinary thing. All that is, is worthy of being seen, of being drawn.”
Drawing isn’t just about creating art—it’s about learning to see. Franck’s words remind us that every object, no matter how mundane it seems, holds a kind of miracle if we truly look. A simple tree branch, the fluff of a dandelion, or even the way light falls on a table—all of it becomes extraordinary when we pause and pay attention.
The Art of Paying Attention
That drawing class changed the way I see the world. Drawing forces us to slow down and notice details we’d otherwise overlook. It’s a kind of meditation, a practice of being fully present with what’s in front of us.
In my workshops, I often encourage people to take this approach to creativity: step out of the analytical, left-brain mode and into a space of wonder. Whether you’re drawing, writing, or simply observing, the act of truly seeing can transform how you relate to the world.
How to Start “Seeing” Like an Artist
You don’t need to be an experienced artist to practice seeing. Here are a few simple ways to start:
- Pick an Object: Choose something small and everyday—a leaf, a teacup, or a pair of shoes.
- Slow Down: Take time to really notice its shape, texture, and how the light interacts with it.
- Sketch It: Don’t worry about creating a masterpiece. The act of drawing is what helps you see.
- Reflect: What did you notice about this object that you hadn’t before?
Once you start seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary, it changes how you experience everything. You begin to realize that, as Franck says, “among the Ten Thousand Things there is no ordinary thing.”
So today, try looking a little closer. Whether it’s through drawing, journaling, or simply sitting in quiet observation, let the light and shadows show you something new. You might just be surprised by the miracles hiding in plain sight.
