The newest display in the Battle Mountain Cookhouse Museum is featuring the drawings of local artist Derek Zacharias.
Zacharias began drawing as a child and has drawn a number of buildings around Battle Mountain and Austin. However, Zacharias’ favorite thing to draw is wildlife.
“I started when I was a little kid, drawing cartoons and eventually grew into wildlife and now into historical buildings. I found my niche and I stuck with it ever since.”
Zacharias has drawn a number of historic buildings in Austin and Battle Mountain, even though the shape and landscape of towns have changed. Some of his drawings include the Golden Club, fire department and church in Austin. He has also drawn the Battle Mountain depot.
“I really got into in college and my college instructor told me I had a knack for it and I started following it a little bit more.”
Zacharias noted it took him a little over a month to draw something when he first started, but now takes just a little over a week. He was hoping to finish a couple drawing this past weekend.
At first, he signed all of his drawings, but has gotten away from that now. He added he gets his inspiration from his love of history.
“It’s kind of humbling of humbling to see your work on display,” he said. “I haven’t done much drawing in the last couple months as some other things have progressed. Drawing is relaxing and takes my mind off of things. I can draw for a couple hours to clear my mind and the time goes by quick when I do that.”
The Cookhouse Museum is open Tuesday – Saturday from noon – 4 p.m. Admission is free.
