The Need to Draw

I've been away for a few days in the Highlands with the family for half-term break.
While I was there (trying desperately not to log into social media of any sort), I picked up a copy of Highland Life magazine because artist and writer, John Byrne, was on the front cover.
There was a big fat juicy interview with Mr B inside so I took it back to the log cabin and read it with interest.
I have a lot of respect for him as an artist and as a writer. And he looks the business. How many septuagenarians rock a cravat with such style?
In the interview he got a a lot off his chest and proceeded to let rip about various things; including he fact he thinks kids going to art college expect to have it all handed to them on a plate without all the graft.
He also described his old art college, Glasgow School of Art, as a Fun Factory, adding, 'It's more like a third rate night school as far as competence in drawing goes.'
Well, such is the power of a social media stooshie, I ended up not being able to help myself looking at my Facebook page!
A good friend who was a red top journo for many years and is now painting full-time (also attending GSA on a part-time basis) was asking me to jump into the debate because the Daily Record had distilled JB's comments into one very negative story.
So I thought I'd post a picture of this short essay on The Need to Draw.
I wrote it for the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour (RSW) exhibition catalogue. Its annual exhibition was on last month in Edinburgh.