This is a continuation of “My Story“. How I discovered my passion and the things and people that influenced my artistic voyage.
In grade school the one thing I remember my first grade art teacher saying to me which I have never forgotten was that I was “not good with color”. Even as a small child criticism sparked my curiosity. I don’t remember her telling me why I wasn’t good with color but it did create a life long interest in color and what a blessing that turned out to be.
As early as the first grade flowers were a part of my life. I remember this dress having blue roses.
If I offer constructive criticism I feel obligated to give reasons for my suggestions and sometimes suggest ways to improve the subject at hand knowing all too well that there is never only one solution and that art is subjective and very personal to the viewer as well as the creator.
In the second grade I remember being scolded on several occasions for sketching profiles of my classmates during class. I would put different hairstyles on them.
In high school while learning to use charcoal in art class my teacher handed me a photo of our principal and asked if I would do a sketch of the him. I told her I would try. This was the first time I can remember feeling as though someone thought I had a talent for drawing. When the class was moving on to oils I wasn’t finished with the rendering of the principal so the teacher asked that I finish the rendering.
Years later my high school principal moved next door to my brother and his family. One day my brother was talking with Mr. Cozad after he moved in, he asked my brother if I still lived in the area. At that time I was working in the same city. My husband and I owned an auto parts store just down the road from the newly constructed high school where Mr. Cozad was principal. He stopped in shortly after that to tell me that he still had the charcoal rendering that I had sketched of him hanging in his office. That gave me a very warm, fuzzy feeling.
Do you remember adults from your childhood who influenced the way you perceive and pursue artistic endeavors in your life? Share a story with me in the comment box.
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