Steven White, founder and creator of Giftsketch.com, doesn't draw for a living and isn't a professional artist. "I think all that fancy art in museums is, well, sort of stuck-up," he said while sketching on his lunch break in downtown Blacksburg, Va.. "Don't get me wrong. I love it. But when's the last time you saw some chump like me with his sketch art on a museum wall? My art is for my friends and family. It's about everyday life and the landmarks and events I see around me. It's about the journey, not the price tag or pedigree."

Photo courtesy of photographer Kirk Carter

And most importantly, Steven says, "it's affordable. People don't have to spend all their money buying a piece of art. You can give a sketch or share it with other people, and not worry that you spent too much for it. Heck, you can put it in the bottom dresser drawer, no one will have a conniption. It's a sketch. That's what it's all about for me. Simple and affordable art by a regular guy. Not some snobby artsy-fartsy art school graduate." Steven says he's seeing more and more sketch artists, too. It's a field that's growing in popularity and interest. "I love seeing it grow and flourish. The world needs more everyday art -- and location sketching, sketch journaling, event sketches... it's everyday things being drawn by everyday people. And it's everywhere. More sketchers and street painters. More everyday pieces to fill the walls of apartments and bedrooms.

Photo courtesy of photographer Kirk Carter

"I love to encourage others to pick it up and try it. Especially people that show an interest when I'm out and about sketching. I love to challenge them to forget about their own fears and dive in. Give it a try. "People come up to me all the time and say something like 'I can't draw a straight line' or 'wish I could do that'. And I just say 'you can do it. You can.' "It's all very simple, really. It starts here, in your head." Steven puts his finger to his head and taps it. "You have to stop listening to that little voice in your head that tells you that you can't do it. Because that little voice is a liar. You can do it. You just have to practice and keep at it." Steven said he learned to draw from lots of reading and practice. "Well, reading and good ol' fashioned stubbornness. "You see, I practice whenever I can. I'm sort of stiff-necked that way. I won't listen to anyone tell me that I can't do something. Even my own doubts. Everyone should be stubborn about learning to draw. Or learning new things. Be bold and fearless."

Photo courtesy of photographer Kirk Carter

He also gets energy from challenging people's perceptions of what art is and whether or not they can do it. He thinks others should do the same. "I'd love to see everyone have a visual vocabulary and learn to communicate with images and pictures. It's fun. It's natural. We see images all around us, everyday -- television, ads, photography, comics. People have been communicating with pictures since before there were letters or words. It's part of our core. So, why not me? Why not you? "I would love to see everyone give sketching a shot. Construction workers, nurses, bus drivers.... well, not while driving a bus, right?" "At least once in your life... pick up a pen or pencil and give it a try. You'll be surprised. And you'll be even more surprised if you stick with it. I'm a great example. I drew a lot when I was younger. Then, a couple of decades later, I picked it up and started to really learn how to see and draw. It's changed me."

Photo courtesy of photographer Kirk Carter

When Steven isn't encouraging others, he's a full-time web designer for Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va.. But ask him about work, and he'll tell you that he's passionate about all forms of creativity - drawing, painting, designing and photography. "Everyone can be creative. Everyone can communicate with pictures and images. You can learn to be an artist, too. Or a web designer. Or photographer," he said. "I'm here to tell others that they can start doing whatever it is that they're passionate about... today... right this moment." It's about the journey, he says. "And the journey starts with a step. Find your passion and you won't look back after you take it."