My friend Kevin creates intricate, hand-drawn pen-and-ink illustrations of iconic Chicago architecture and landmarks. But when I sat down with him in his studio, the conversation went way beyond technique. We talked about why he spends hours drawing tiny details by hand, how making art forces you to slow down, and how capturing your memories—whether through ink drawings or detailed childhood listicles—is a way of holding onto who you are.
If you have creative people in your life, ask them about what they make. You’ll learn a lot about their craft, but even more about who they are.