Many adults shy away from drawing, often labeling themselves as “bad at it,” despite having drawn freely as children. This sentiment inspired Sarah Freeman and Mara Williams to explore the question, “Why do we draw?” Their exhibition, “Desire Lines,” at the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center features six regional artists who examine the medium’s physicality, process, and significance.

James Siena’s works transform doodles into striking compositions. His graphite piece “Spoolstrata” exhibits intricate, intertwined lines that create harmony through repetition. Similarly, his painting “Atoptichord” uses bright colors and varied line thicknesses to generate a dynamic visual experience. The exhibition incorporates audio clips, allowing insights from the artists, including Siena’s reflections on his artistic journey.

Dana Piazza’s drawings convey a meditative approach, featuring gestural lines that build into blocky shapes. His deliberate edge work creates a sense of dimensionality, emphasizing clarity in decision-making during the creative process.

Tara Geer’s charcoal and pastel pieces, described as “muscular,” convey energy through dynamic lines and forms, particularly in her large-scale work “Lumpy Island.” Geer critiques the often-overlooked role of drawing, emphasizing its foundational importance in other art forms.

Other artists, like Nandini Chirimar, use drawing to explore identity, as seen in her detailed portrayal of her mother’s closet, capturing the essence of vibrant textiles. Maggie Nowinski and Alex Callender also push the boundaries of drawing. Nowinski combines imaginative graphic elements, while Callender’s pieces interrogate histories of race and capitalism.

Overall, “Desire Lines” underscores the diverse motivations and techniques within contemporary drawing, inviting viewers to reevaluate their relationship with the medium.