Critics have called Dermot Meagher's drawings haiku-like, serene, and poetic snapshot postcards. Grateful for the compliments he says, "They're just drawings, marks on paper. While doing them I invent a language to describe things-- kind of like the way shorthand and hieroglyphics sometimes resemble the object described. Mostly, I draw trying to let one mark follow the other, hoping not to screw it up by thinking too much."

Dermot says he often does three drawings of the same thing, one right after the other. "They rarely come out looking alike. It must be my multiple personalities," he adds with a grin.

He uses a number of materials: Sumi ink, walnut ink, plain black ink, tea (with and without milk,) coffee (decaf, cream and sugar,) wet and dry charcoal, pencil, watercolor, asphalt, sand and whatever else is within arm's reach. Most of the time he draws with a pen but sometimes uses a brush, a stick or a finger. He works outside except when drawing still lifes.

He is fascinated with boats and still does not understand how they stay afloat. He doesn't want to know. "There aren't enough mysteries in life these days," he says, "which is why I don't like to talk about my drawings."

The Schoolhouse is located at 494 Commercial Street, in Provincetown's historic East End Gallery District. The galleries are open daily from 11, and always by appointment. For information, please call Michael Carroll at (508) 487.4800. xt 105