Geoff Cobb (00:03): My name's Geoff and I am inter- interviewing Sapp, and it is October 3rd, uh, 2023. And I am using his questions, uh, because I'm taking place of Geoffrey's. So, you ready?
Horace Sapp (00:26): I'm ready.
Geoff Cobb (00:27): Okay. Uh, how would you describe yourself as an artist?
Horace Sapp (00:35): Oh. That's a good question. Well, you know, when you seen when I first got here, you know, I- I didn't really think I was good at drawing at all. But now, I describe myself as a talented person, you know? I got talents that I didn't know I have, so, yeah, I would say that I'm pretty good at being an artist.
Geoff Cobb (01:03): For the sake of the interview, I've been Sapp's teacher for the last 12 weeks. Um, what was something you hope to learn in this class? And what surprised you?
Horace Sapp (01:18): Well, when I came, uh, I hoped to learn how to actually draw portraits. And when I got here, knowing that we was gonna draw ourselves, it was kind of a shock to me because, you know, I ain't ever drew a portrait before of that sort. So, um, at the end of the day, what surprised me was I was good at it, you know? I actually got good each day that I came. Each week that I came, you know, I got better. You know, you know, you gave me a few tips that helped me along the way, but as I kept drawing, you know, I kept seeing a big difference in my, in my features. And it really made it entertaining for me because, you know, I- I got excited, I got happy, you know, that I can do stuff like this. And, you know, it just surprised me that I was able to just draw a portrait of myself.
Geoff Cobb (02:26): Yeah, that was fun. What would you like someone on the outside to know about participating in this class?
Horace Sapp (02:40): Uh, that's a good question 'cause I actually, today, when I was in, uh, group, I actually referred a lot of the guys out of my dorm to come to this next class that you were having because it's very interesting to learn that you are capable of doing more than you give yourself credit for. And, you know, not only that, it was a piece of, a piece of mind, you know? It gave me a sense of confidence within myself. You know, just being here and learning that I can do certain things that I never gave myself credit for. So, you know, I would tell anybody that, you know, is struggling with stress or anything that's going through their minds, any problems, that drawing is really relaxing, you know? It really takes you to another place, you know, then where you're at at that certain, certain point in time.
(03:38):
And the place that it took me to was every time it's time to go back, I'd be the last one. I don't want to go. (laughs), you know? So, it was, it was interesting, you know, just to even be here and, you know, I- I would tell anybody on the outside of here to- to step up and try to see where your talent's at, you know? And art is where it's at, you know? It's a good place to be.
Geoff Cobb (04:05): Excellent. Ah. What feeling did you feel when you were drawing yourself?
Horace Sapp (04:15): Wow. Oh, man, when I first started, uh, I'm gonna be honest, I was, I was scared. I was nervous, you know? Uh, I never draw. Like I said, I never drew before like that. So, I was really nervous. I was really, really doubting myself, you know? I really think that I wasn't capable of or good enough to do something like this, you know? And, uh... As, uh, as you kept saying, uh, "Don't go so dark." Or "Art is about messing up and turning it into something."
Geoff Cobb (04:54): Mm-hmm.
Horace Sapp (04:55): And, you know, the more I realized that I'm trying to get too perfect at something at, at one time and, and when you t- showed me that little technique of, you take this and you turn this into this, and you take that mistake an- and make it into this, and I understood that, you know, art ain't all about just drawing the perfect picture at first, at once. You're not gonna get it at once. You gotta keep going around and about it, and then you will start to see things come together. And that's when I realized that, you know, I got a feeling of peace and joy, you know? I was, it was the happiest moment is when I really started seeing myself in my own drawing, you know?
(05:43):
An- An- And I asked myself, "Is that, that guy, do you know this guy right here?" You know? And, so, you know, I got a- a- a great feeling out of just being here, man. It was a different feeling than I got in a long time in my life. It was, uh, a- a- a feeling of accomplishment, you know? I- I started something and, and I finished it without giving up.
Geoff Cobb (06:15): Mind if I say something?
Horace Sapp (06:17): Sure.
Geoff Cobb (06:17): Well, a- as a teacher, as your teacher, that's, that just warms my heart. I mean, it's what it's all about, seeing, you know, seeing the light go off, you know?
Horace Sapp (06:29): Yeah.
Geoff Cobb (06:29): Go on, if you will, and, and, uh, and it's just, it's a joy. I mean, it's a, that's the joy of teaching for me, you know?
Horace Sapp (06:39): I- I- I- I can imagine, you know? And I appreciate your teaching skill 'cause, you know, it gave me the courage to wanna continue to do it, you know? 'Cause now I know that nothing is perfect. It's what you make of it. And, you know, you gave me that. So I appreciate you for being my teacher, you know? And I really, really understand that, you know, a lot of things in life, you can, you try so hard at, but a lot of things are more simple than you make it, you know? Like-
Geoff Cobb (07:12): (laughs)
Horace Sapp (07:14): When, I remember when the last, about the last two weeks before the class was ending. I remember when you came by, you looked at my picture and you said, "Boop! It"s popping out." You know? And, you know, th- that amazed 'cause I sat back and I looked it and I was like, "You know what? It really is, boop, popping out."
(07:34):
So I appreciate what you did, you know? You're a great teacher.
Geoff Cobb (07:39): You're very welcome. Thank you.
Horace Sapp (07:44): Well, um, is there any more questions you got for me before we wrap this up?
Geoff Cobb (07:51): I don't have any more questions for you at this time. Let's wr- wrap it up and maybe switch.
Horace Sapp (07:58): All right. There you have it.
Geoff Cobb (08:01): Thank you.
Horace Sapp (08:02): You're welcome.