"What to another child might have appeared to be a closed door presented to me an enormous possibility: A chance to do what I wanted. To become an artist."
by Squeak Carnwath
Since I can remember, I always wanted to be an artist. There was nothing more thrilling than opening a new box of crayons or digging into an untainted art kit filled with an array of pastels, markers, and watercolors. It is hard to pinpoint a specific time when this revelation took place, because it is something that has always been apart of me. As a child, I had unwavering certainty in my abilities. I was going to be an artist, and there was nothing else I wanted to be.
The earliest artistic influence I can think of in terms of technique and material would have to be from my father. Although he is a very busy person, he would occasionally wow me with one of his gorgeous ink drawings. Every year for the past 30 some years, he creates his own Christmas card including a brilliantly written tale and illustrations to match. These drawings were the closest I got to seeing an artist in action. I was intrigued with the idea that he could never erase his "mistakes". With the greatest of ease, he would manage to weave the mark into the drawing as if it were meant to be there all along. I feel as though this influence instilled in me a great appreciation of what ink can do.
one of my father's illustrations
one of my illustrations
I wish I had somebody like that! I'm a bit jealous. That moon illustration is sweet!!!
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