Indiana's Love Sculpture at the Farnsworth

I naturally chose the Farnsworth Art Museum when

The Sketch Group asked me to organize an excursion.

Pencil only allowed. We sat on stools lent by the museum.

I've always loved Robert Indiana's Love Sculpture.

But sitting down to draw it made it so much more interesting!

When Indiana got tired of the frenzy of the NY art scene,

he retreated to Maine, to an island near Rockland.

So the museum has a strong connection 

to Indiana & his art. 

It's a dream subject for drawing with a focus on 

 proportion, value & negative space, 

& the beauty of letters, words & type. 

The meaning seems simple, but for Indiana it

was an expression of more complex ideas.

Eventually the LOVE image became a burden to Indiana.

"A mix between graphic design & high art,"

 said graphic artist Milton Glaser. 

But it was criticized because of its commercial appeal. 

Indiana didn't obtain a copyright, 

hence, many people have plagerized & altered it. 

Unfortunate. 

But, his authentic versions are all over the world,

including Rockland, Philadelphia, Washington DC, &, Indiana.