Lipstick on the Living Room Wall

Yes, you read it right. Lipstick on the living room wall. Who did this? Me, a long time ago, I'm guessing about age 5 or 6. I don't remember exactly what I drew, but I do remember I drew it on the living room wall behind a chair. And get this: I signed my name to it. And here's another weird thing: I don't remember what punishment I got. I do remember my mother finding it, and saying something to the effect that there was no doubt as to who did it. But the memory ends there. Maybe that's a good thing!

Something else I remember doing as a child is drawing on every piece of paper I got my hands on. I drew on the blank pages in books (those were especially inviting),and in the margins and other blank spaces on magazine pages. (In those days people read magazines). During the summer, when I stayed with my grandmother, I remember her saying to me one time, "Draw, draw draw! Is that all you do is draw?" At her house, though, someone had bought me a sketchbook.

My favorite elementary teacher was Mrs. Rennie, she taught third grade. I loved her because she combined every subject with some type of art project. We were always creating in her class! I remember one time she drew a portrait (face) of each one of her students, and we had to lay down on a roll of paper, have someone trace our body, then we had to draw and color the clothes. We did that type of thing all year. No wonder I loved her! (She taught the three R's too, just letting you know). I wonder if she ever had any idea the impact she had on me and the rest of her students? But that's another story.

In case you haven't figured it out, I'm sharing a few moments from my childhood that seem to have been some type of foreshadowing of things that were to come. I think if everyone looks back on their life they might see some road signs (hind sight is better than foresight, as the saying goes) that were also pointing them in a certain direction . Art is definitely not the only thing that I have ever done or that I think is fun, but it has always been there luring me into the world of creating something. I loved riding Harleys, but Harleys come and go, and mine went. (that's another story too) But art continues to inspire me, especially painting. And I'm so grateful to be able to paint with people and see them having fun and creating as well. I love sharing what I love with others, especially if it helps someone get through a tough experience, or enjoy a time away from responsibilities, or just give them a fun afternoon. So what do you love to do? Can you see anything in your childhood or background that has pointed you in a certain direction? Have you been able to nurture it? I would love to hear about it in the comment section.