Meet the correspondents: NEW YORK > Jason Das

"I started sketching seriously about three years ago, in late 2005. I'd always assumed I knew how to draw but realized I didn't do much of it. I love how drawing from life realigns my engagement with my surroundings. Field sketching is a lot like what I imagine meditation to be like — the wiring in my brain switches around. Parts I usually keep on switch off, parts I can't consciously activate start working. And of course I notice details about people, plants, buildings, light and color that I never would have otherwise.

Then, at the end of it all, I get a drawing to show off! It's a pretty good deal.

Sometimes I go out planning to draw, but generally I just try to keep a sketchpad with me whenever I can. I draw in offhand moments, in leftover time — while waiting for a train, eating a lonely lunch, or hanging out at a bar or coffeeshop. A lot of my best sketches tend to happen when I should be doing something else."

• Jason's blog: Gas Water Nothing.
• Jason's art on Flickr.