Nick Young

"How did you get started drawing?"

It's the first thing I'm asked, and my answer is:

"O. J. Simpson."

As a broadcast journalist for the past thirty-six-plus years, I've covered a lot of big stories. One of the most sensational was the 1995 Simpson murder trial. My assignment for CBS Radio News (when I wasn't in the courtroom in Los Angeles) was to sit in a New York studio and anchor the network's gavel-to-gavel coverage of the trial. With the lion's share of time taken up by testimony, I had long stretches with little to say.

I began sketching the faces o...

"How did you get started drawing?"

It's the first thing I'm asked, and my answer is:

"O. J. Simpson."

As a broadcast journalist for the past thirty-six-plus years, I've covered a lot of big stories. One of the most sensational was the 1995 Simpson murder trial. My assignment for CBS Radio News (when I wasn't in the courtroom in Los Angeles) was to sit in a New York studio and anchor the network's gavel-to-gavel coverage of the trial. With the lion's share of time taken up by testimony, I had long stretches with little to say.

I began sketching the faces of the witnesses on paper napkins that had been left in the studio. When I finished one, I'd thumbtack it to the wall. After a while, I'd accumulated a small collection. And co-workers took note. Armed with their encouragement, I decided to give drawing a try in my off hours.

My first effort was a small portrait of the great bluesman John Lee Hooker. Not bad, I said to myself, not bad at all. But it didn't last. After only a few other drawings, I stopped.

And I didn't pick up the pencils and pad again for thirteen years.

What prodded me to start again?

A good friend loaned me John Daido Loori's "The Zen of Creativity." It's a wonderful book, and it showed me the way back. That was in the spring of 2008, and I'm still at it.

The response to my work has been very gratifying. I had my first show this fall in Westchester County, New York, where I live with my wife, Deborah. Our son, Chris, is a broadcaster in Illinois.

I began my career in radio in 1968. Since 1990, I've been a Correspondent for CBS News. Each weekday morning, I anchor "The World News Roundup" on the CBS Radio Network.

That's my story. I hope you like my work.

I have a one-man show at the Prairie Arts Center, Princeton, Illinois, until 12 June.

My first show ran from 1 November 2009 through the end of the year at the Madeleine Gutman Gallery in Westchester County, New York.

Three drawings were on display during March of 2010 as part of an exhibition on art and collecting in Princeton.

Please take a moment to check my arts blog, "Graphite." You can become a follower at:

nickyoungart.blogspot.com

Or, you can connect via Facebook.