There are many forms of creativity. There are musical instruments to be strummed upon, short stories to be written, sandwiches to be created, and impressions of Jerry Seinfeld to be attempted (please, practice in the mirror first before you try and show me.)
This semester, I signed up for a drawing class. Basic Drawing is the official title. It seemed harmless enough, considering the word "basic" is in course name. After talking to a few people who had taken the course, I started to worried. They kept saying words like "skill" and "talent" and "not easy," and most of them wore fedoras and scarves and artsy looking jeans. That made me nervous. I knew that if a kid in a fedora is telling me an art class is hard, I am in trouble. I called my mother to ask her if I should drop the class or not.
Honey, you are an incredibly talented artist! I've framed some of your work!
She forgets that I drew said "framed works" in the fifth grade. You have to frame your kid's art in elementary. It's practically a requirement to parenting.
On the first day of class, I wore my skinniest jeans and Urban Outfitters shoes and walked anxiously to the art building. I walked into class, and sat down to wait for a professor and instruction.
About ten minutes after class was supposed to start, in walked the teacher. An older guy, maybe mid 50s, in a fedora (Surprised? Not at all.), a zip up sweater, tattered jeans, and Burkenstocks. As he absentmindedly handed us a colorful syllabus (with headings like "Sooooo whadda ABOUT DRAWING"), he introduced himself.
Ralph, just call me Ralph.
Let me tell you, Ralph is a character. He plays the sound track to Black Swan while we draw with charcoal whatever object he feels like putting on the table in the middle of the room. By the time I get out of there, I look like a child mine worker.
After having several classes with Ralph, I'm fairly certain that his favorite word is "shit."
I'm only hoping he doesn't use it to describe my art.
is this your actual artwork?!??!? If so YOU ARE AMAZING!!! (but you know that, you've always been amazing!) i am about to text you a picture you drew of us back in the day. Dont let Ralph get ya. Come talk to mommy (K) or me and we'll remind you of your brilliance!!!
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