Starving Artist

I've been wanting to capture this for quite a while. To me, being hungry and homeless is one of my greatest fears, and has often been a realistic one.

Seeing an artist (or any person for that matter) who is living on the streets is a sobering image. I can't help but wonder what put them in the gutter, and why society feels it's ok to brush them aside by assuming they have addictions. I was completely stunned when a couple years ago I saw a boy, not a year older than myself, hunched over a tattered notebook, with a similar sign propped up in front of him. His boney fingers stained with pencil lead, and body clothed in shabby garments. I walked passed him...to afraid to address his obvious situation.

I'm ashamed I didn't stop. For that, I'm trying harder to do my part not only as an artist, but as a compassionate human being. And sometimes, having the newest version of Photoshop, the nicest digital camera, or even a spiral sketchbook isn't that important when you see what those without luxury can show the world.

Photographer: Me.
Camera: Sony Cyber-shot 2.0 mp