I love the mess I can dive into with charcoal. I love how it colors my fingers and cuticles black for a week and how my nose twitches tempting me to scratch.

A white paper or canvas surface quickly gives to the raw dirty quality of charcoal; the little black specks moving to my will as I shape and push them into form.

I would if I could live in a pile of coal; not caring as the soot impregnated every pore of my furniture, carpets, and walls. Ahh but what a wonderful mess!!

Fortunately for my husband, I clean up now and then.