I can almost guarantee that your hometown has a historic district with overlooked gems in the form of historic buildings. I like to draw these gems.

I've always had an interest in architecture, and not just because there's a really, really famous architect who shares my last name.

Famous architect Mario Botta. Maybe we're related?

By looking at historic buildings in your town, you can learn not just about architecture, but about your town's history. Learning one bit of information makes you want to learn more. There's a Mason St. in Pittsboro, N.C. and a Masonic temple that was built in 1838. It makes you curious about how the Masons contributed to Pittsboro's history. Visit your local library: The reference section is sure to be full of fascinating facts about your hometown's story as told in its historic buildings.

Masonic Temple, Pittsboro, N.C., built in 1838.

But it isn't just historic places that I like to draw. I also draw places that are historic to me. I'm grateful that I drew pictures of a local coffee shop where I loved to sketch, meet people from widely different backgrounds, and feel a real sense of community. All that changed when it was transformed into a swanky restaurant. But I still can visit the coffee shop through my drawings!

I brought my sketchbook here every morning.

All the furniture was removed when the coffee shop was turned into an upscale eatery.

The great thing about the coffee shop was that it felt like a real community. I met people from all walks of life there, people I would never have otherwise crossed paths with.

A sketch of one of my friends at the coffee shop reading the New York Times.

Drawing pictures of historic and "historic to me" places helps me express the connection to the past which I have always felt. (Speaking of the past, here is a drawing of a house that I did in the eighth grade. )

I drew this house in 8th grade art class. I think that's a lawn mower.

I hope what I've written about why I draw historic places will inspire you to look more closely at the historic buildings in your hometown, and encourage you to have a greater appreciation for those places which, though not technically historic, still have a personal meaning that makes them historic...to you.

I am an artist, and my artwork is mainly inspired by mystics, cats, and places. My blog will be devoted to writing about what inspires my artwork.

I love Independent Animal Rescue!

MYSTICS.

Portrait of positive-thinking philosopher Neville Goddard, with a quotation from his writing.

I draw portraits of figures like Neville Goddard who are part of the history of the Positive Thinking or New Thought movement. At difficult times in my life, I have been helped by the ideas of the philosophy of Positive Thinking. If you would like to read more about New Thought, Mitch Horowitz's book "One Simple Idea" is a great introduction.

CATS.

Portrait of a tabby with soulful eyes.

Many of my drawings and other artwork is of cats (and other animals--but mostly cats). Not only am I endlessly fascinated with our feline friends, and live with cats (all rescues), but I have worked with Independent Animal Rescue in Durham, N.C. and care a lot about animal rescue. In my drawings, I attempt to capture the essence of cats and help people to realize that yes, they have souls. I mean, look at those eyes! On a lighter note, I also find cats to be fun and entertaining, and I have a series of cartoons called "Life with Kitties" dedicated to the funny side of cats.

PLACES.

I am also inspired by places. Many of these are historic, and some are everyday places that are historic to me. As an example of an everyday place, I made numerous drawings at the time of my favorite community coffeeshop--and when it was turned into an unrecognizable upscale restaurant, I still had the drawings, and through my drawings I can still visit there any time! I am also interested in local history, and love to draw buildings in historic downtowns.

So there you have it.

Mystics, cats, and places. Of course, I also am inspired by the art of others, and I will also be writing here about the artwork that inspires me. I hope you will join me as I explore my inspirations.

Best,

Tim

“Tim Botta’s artwork brings vivid life to some of the most important figures of mystic history – and reveals the mysticism hiding in our ‘everyday’ surroundings. I am proud to display Tim’s prints of spiritual visionaries. His portraits are more than objects of beauty: They show the world what you stand for.”—Mitch Horowitz, PEN Award-winning author of Occult America and One Simple Idea