Filed under: Drawing, Fleeting thoughts... | Tags: art, artist, drawing. pencil, graphite, home depot, preschool, still life
Why that title, you ask?
Recently…I went to Home Depot to look at more “tools” for my drawings. In some ways…I dislike going to the Depot, or any hardware store, when I am looking for things NOT for construction, but for art. So, here I was…in the Depot…choosing some items PURELY based upon their appearance. I managed to deflect a “Can I help you find what you’re looking for?” by saying “yes”, and asking where there might be some wheeled carts (I’d love to get one from my little etching press). The guy brought me to the carts, and we started to talk about what the cart was for. So, he found out that I do “art”, and asked, “what kind of art?”. This is the start of a conversation that I typically like to avoid. I told him, “drawing”…hoping that this was good enough. But no. “What do you draw?”, he asked. Okay. NOW what? I hummed and hawed…trying to think of something to say…but then I just gave up and told the truth…”I draw still-lifes with tools and fruit, specifically, pears.” He agreed that I am indeed a nutcase. Luckily, his brother is an artist, so he was somewhat open to the idiosyncracies of art. Part of the reason that I avoid this subject is not only because I’ll be judged as koo-koo for buying stuff for art, not construction…but also because I do NOT want to be judged as the “silly” female with my “artsy” pursuits. Dislike.
THEN, I get to the checkout line. I happen to be buying a band saw blade, a bunch of screws, and wooden coat hangers. When the checkout guy started to ring up the blade, he said, “I see that the wives are shopping for the husbands today!”
No. Really? You’re joking, right? Don’t they teach you anything in employee training????
“Noooo…ALL of these items are for ME.”, I responded. He was really a nice guy, so I gently berated him for such a sexist remark. Why couldn’t he have just said, “Did you find everything that you needed today?”??? It turns out that he had an 18 yr old daughter. I wonder what kind of stuff he tells her at home?
In the world of architecture…the balance between men and women feels quite even. (There is an unfortunate imbalance when you get into the world of “interiors”, as this often tips towards women.) But, in engineering and construction…it is still mostly a man’s world. Not always…but mostly. This obviously saddens me…but I hope that someday those fields will be more diverse. I have been in meetings where the head of facilities at a university will make some joke about “wives”, and I sit there…as the project architect…and just smile. Great. I am likely to be the only “wife” at that ten person meeting…so, does that make me “one of the boys”, or one of the silly “wives”? Who knows.
Anyone who tells you that sexism is a thing of the past is probably part of the problem.
Sorry about that rant! Because I haven’t been working as an architect for the past year and a half…I’ve forgotten about things like this. I just got a reminder this week…
So, my son has brought home another priceless creation from preschool:
Isn’t that GREAT? WHAT IS IT????
[OMG…I have AGAIN accidentally posted when I wasn’t done….SORRY!!!]
I asked him what it was, and it’s some kind of nozzle. I forgot the adjectives that go with the “nozzle” that he described…but I love it. I love these toilet paper tube creations. Priceless. I will be sad when they stop. Perhaps he’ll be like his mom, and they’ll never stop.
VERY slow week for my own work. Latest drawing:
So, here’s the bandsaw blade. See? I rarely use my Home Depot purchases for their intended purpose. So be it.
Now, I have to run off to the grocery store to make dinner for a friend who just had a baby. I have no idea what to make. Such pressure!!!!! What if the kids hate it? What if the whole family hates it? Sigh. Perhaps ordering pizza for them is not really very thoughtful…rats. I’ll have to concoct something NON-VEGAN that will hopefully dazzle them with my culinary skills…
I don’t tend to put pressure on myself much.
(kidding)
2 Comments so far
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slightly wonky 
I feel as if that Home Depot guy should be reported! It’s not good for business either.
LOVE the resulting blade and pear drawing though.
Comment by Caitlin January 27, 2012 @ 2:10 pmI know…right??? I wasn’t going to admit to him, however, that I did not actually own a bandsaw at home. However, I’ve used one plenty of times, so there. Thanks for liking my drawing too!
Comment by slightlywonky January 27, 2012 @ 2:44 pm