ZenDruid
Supporting Member
- Messages
- 1,038
My first public show was at the age of 5 with a box of crayons on the living room wall. That got me my parents disapproval but they also got me a series of How To Draw (horses, dogs, cartoons) books and a sketchbook. Eventually a paint-by-numbers kit. My father was good at sketching, he taught me a few things. He was also an amateur photographer and that fascinated me. At the age of 10 he gave me a cheap 35mm camera and I took my first photos. But I still wanted to learn how to draw. In high school I took a course in mechanical drawing, loved it, thought I was an artist heading for a career in mechanical engineering. I also discovered in the school library The Arts by Hendrik Willem Van Loon, covering the history of arts from the cave paintings to 1937. He's a charming engaging writer and I was inspired. After high school, I did a necessary enlistment in the Army, followed by college at Rider University, marriage, and a career in journalism. All this time I had pursued a serious addiction to photography, still have that.
In 1972 we dropped out of corporate life (big fans of Mother Earth News and the Whole Earth Catalog, R. Crumb and Fritz the Cat and Mr. Natural) and moved to a small town in northern New York. I opened a small one-man shop refinishing antique furniture and designing and building a few small pieces for clients.
In 1978 I took a 3-credit course in Life Drawing at Plattsburgh State College. I loved it, we worked with live models. The instructor thought my drawing was too tight and controlled and for some reason suggested I take a course in sculpture. Which I did the following semester and loved it even more. Again we worked with live models making clay table-top statuettes, plaster carving, and a metal shop with an arc welder where I built two garden sculptures. I got into a funk because I wanted to be a sculptor like Henry Moore or Alexander Calder. I got over it but I still like to build things like an 8-foot high stick sculpture on our side lawn that looked like something from The Blair Witch Project (took it down, scaring the neighbors).
One of my furniture customers was an artist specializing in Norwegian Rosemaling, a traditional decorative furnishings art. I was fascinated by the pretty colors and swirls and met with her once a week for a year learning about oils and brush technique. The local arts council was also holding weekly evening sessions for life drawing, did those. I worked at the local TV station as a videographer for the news department, and then as a commercial producer.
A pivotal moment for me came about 15 years ago: My AA sponsor was a retired high school English teacher and we became good friends. One day I was bemoaning that I wanted to do art but felt guilty about spending time on it when I should be doing more useful things. He told me unequivocally "If you feel that way, you have an obligation to make art!" That was a big relief.
Around 2000 I became interested in the teachings of psychologist Carl Jung and the use of paintings, mandalas and dream theory. Also found a book, Mandala by Jose and Miriam Arguelles that inspired me to paint a series of five mandalas, acrylic on plywood, which I'll post sometime. Photography has continued all this time. The global tensions of the past year got me to escape mentally by painting again, my interest mostly in abstract art. I joined WC and now I'm here. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Thanks
In 1972 we dropped out of corporate life (big fans of Mother Earth News and the Whole Earth Catalog, R. Crumb and Fritz the Cat and Mr. Natural) and moved to a small town in northern New York. I opened a small one-man shop refinishing antique furniture and designing and building a few small pieces for clients.
In 1978 I took a 3-credit course in Life Drawing at Plattsburgh State College. I loved it, we worked with live models. The instructor thought my drawing was too tight and controlled and for some reason suggested I take a course in sculpture. Which I did the following semester and loved it even more. Again we worked with live models making clay table-top statuettes, plaster carving, and a metal shop with an arc welder where I built two garden sculptures. I got into a funk because I wanted to be a sculptor like Henry Moore or Alexander Calder. I got over it but I still like to build things like an 8-foot high stick sculpture on our side lawn that looked like something from The Blair Witch Project (took it down, scaring the neighbors).
One of my furniture customers was an artist specializing in Norwegian Rosemaling, a traditional decorative furnishings art. I was fascinated by the pretty colors and swirls and met with her once a week for a year learning about oils and brush technique. The local arts council was also holding weekly evening sessions for life drawing, did those. I worked at the local TV station as a videographer for the news department, and then as a commercial producer.
A pivotal moment for me came about 15 years ago: My AA sponsor was a retired high school English teacher and we became good friends. One day I was bemoaning that I wanted to do art but felt guilty about spending time on it when I should be doing more useful things. He told me unequivocally "If you feel that way, you have an obligation to make art!" That was a big relief.
Around 2000 I became interested in the teachings of psychologist Carl Jung and the use of paintings, mandalas and dream theory. Also found a book, Mandala by Jose and Miriam Arguelles that inspired me to paint a series of five mandalas, acrylic on plywood, which I'll post sometime. Photography has continued all this time. The global tensions of the past year got me to escape mentally by painting again, my interest mostly in abstract art. I joined WC and now I'm here. That's my story and I'm sticking to it. Thanks
Last edited:
- or not at all.
