THROW BACK THURSDAY, INDIANA JONES AND A WEE 10 YEAR OLD ARTIST
So when I was 10, like other kids, I had some pretty high hopes. I pretty much knew I could be whatever I set my mind to. (And THAT something could be ANYTHING.)
That year and several years prior and after I entertained being three things when I grew up. Because when you’re 10 why limit yourself to being just one thing?
Firstly, I wanted to be an actor. It seemed like they had a pretty good gig. They made lots of money and pretty much everyone adored them. (Thankfully, I got over this years later after spending time on 21 Jump Street set, acting on the stage, taking part in cattle calls, going to various auditions and actually spending time with sparkly famous folks.
It wasn’t as glamorous as it seemed, it was HELLA hard work and even as a youngster I knew I’d never survive the scrutiny if I hit it big.)
Close up of my uber awesome lion on the Serengeti. RAWR! C’mon I was 10.
Secondly, if I couldn’t be an actor. I wanted to be the next best thing which, of course, was a real life Indiana Jones. Because the depiction of archaeologists by Hollywood was TOTALLY realistic and spot on. They were also obviously adored, had great adventures and made tons of money. (At some point reality set in and I realized that although archaeology can be cool the majority of their time is spent doing tedious tasks and they require more focus than my 30 second goldfish attention span would allow.)
Thirdly and lastly, if I couldn’t be a famous actor or Indiana Jones I was going to go with my last and most reasonable choice of being … an artist. Y’know, like one of the greats. They seemed to live interesting lives with and without the required amount of ears. Of course, all these seemed like male dominated professions according to history (or at least popular academia) but bah! I would not be deterred.
So at the ripe old age of 10ish I went with what I seemed to be good at. I mean I had already sold a piece of art the year before and if the lion art below is any indication of my budding talent those folks who thought I was a natural artist were totally spot on. *Wry, self deprecating wink*
From that point on teachers put me in special art classes, entered me in art shows, put my work in permanent collections at institutions, and sometimes … just sometimes people permanently claimed my work for themselves. I’m looking at you Mr. Wakeling and Mr. Hill. That was MY totally awesome Bilbo Baggins hobbit drawing and Cell Talk comic strip you may or may not still have in your hot little hands. (I’m totally not holding a grudge 20+ years later. That would be completely crazy.) I was puzzled over all the fuss over my work but went with it because it seemed to be the one thing that fed my wee little soul and filled my heart with glee. (And it still does.)
So, that’s pretty much the where and how it all began. With the desire, motivation and a whole lot of practice I am now where I am today.
Which begs the question, where would we all be today if only we had simply just begun?
In peace, love and art,
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