I accidentally overslept so when I finally arrived at our Benicia paintout at 11:00 I was an hour late. I didn’t see any other artists around. The wind was blowing so hard that I sat in my car to sketch, listening to NPR on the radio. Everything was going great, I was drawing with my favorite Lamy Safari Extra Fine Fountain pen
I turned to draw a different view, but when I reached for my pen it was gone. I searched everywhere, inside the car, under the car, nearby on the ground. No pen. I retraced my path when I’d gotten out of the car to look around and take photos. Nothing. I asked people walking by but nobody had seen my pen. I returned to the car and searched every nook and cranny again, twice.
An hour later I gave up and used a Pitt Artist Pen to do the drawing and added watercolor. I was so sad. I’d really come to love that pen. When I finished the sketch I used my iPhone to look up and call all the stationary and art stores in the Bay Area, but nobody had a Lamy with an Extra Fine nib.
Just then fellow painters Carol and Ling drove up and I told them what happened. They insisted on helping me find the pen despite my whining, “It’s hopeless, it’s just gone.” Carol checked under the seats and in the driver’s side door pocket. She told me to check the passenger’s door pocket. It was the one place I hadn’t looked (why I hadn’t looked there I can’t explain) and there it was! Yay! Joy!
I went from a sad loser to a happy finder and now every time I use my pen I get that happy feeling again. Definitely a keeper.
Jana Bouc, Artist 
11 replies on “Losers, Finders, Keepers: Sketching Benicia”
I sure do know how you felt about that pen, Jana….I too have misplaced mine…somewhere in the house…I hesitate to order a new one because I KNOW I have that one, but where could it be? I have a similar experience all the time…..standing, painting, stop to erase something or whatever, then poof! the paintbrush is gone. But how could it be GONE? I haven’t even walked away from where I was standing! It’s so frustrating. Usually turns up under a paper towel on the side table or behind something or out of sight on the floor, or whatever. But so far (and it’s been months now), my Lamy Safari has not turned up. I keep hoping.
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Glad you found the pen. Sort of like a blankie isn’t it?
Great sketches. I have been to the waterfront to do the exact same thing. Hope you went over to check out the armory building also. Lots of fun in Benicia.
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Love your drawings. I’ve lost my XF Safari also; found it months later under a couch cushion. It was a day of rejoicing.
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I certainly understand your attachment to the Lamy pen—they are the best! As are your sketches! Good thing you persisted in spite of the weather and lack of sketching support.
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Glad you found your pen! I like the composition & colours in your lamp post sketch.
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That was cute – I love the way you put words together!
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I just got my turquoise pen and would hate to lose it. They aren’t cheap for one thing but to lose something while you are working with it isn’t good either. Glad your friends helped you find it. Nice sketches too!
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Oh, Jana, that sounds exactly like something I would do. Isn’t it interesting how attached we get to our tools. When I was doing Metro sketches I got attached to Stablio 8046 pencils, and nothing else would do. Wonderful sketches too, but I love your stories.
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We get very attached to the things that work for us. I understand why you were upset. I have my favorite brush and it is showing wear. Anyway great sketches and I’m very glad that you found your pen!
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You will always find the pen when you misplace it. I used to loose a brass ball on the end of my key ring and always found it because I was supposed to. Enjoy your happiness.
Jana
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Love the pictures, Jana. So glad that you found the pen. With me it’s mostly brushes. I don’t dare take them to the field because I’d die if they got lost– it’s not not easy to find the same brands with such fine points. So I use brushes that I don’t like as well and that don’t work as well when away from my desk ( which is pretty silly when I think about it). I guess I SHOULD learn to draw better with cheaper brushes (and if that happens what am I doing with these special and expensive brushes???) I think my life gets kind of silly sometimes…
annie
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