I'm volunteering this week to work at our county fair, demonstrating wood carving... and as I found out the first day, sign painting! They needed a repaint/redo of the 16' sign for the front of the building, so that has been an intermittant project for me there (in front of the public, gasp!) So I was lettering yesterday- second coat, and a mother & two young girls stopped to watch and chat. A frequent comment I'd heard from other visitors was, "Oh, I could never do that...". One of the girls made the "mistake" of saying that very thing. My response was "Oh, no! You come over here!" So with a bit of guidence & hands on, she painted one of the letters. THERE WAS NO REASON SHE COULDN'T DO THIS! So many people stop themselves before they even start (been there, done that!) And the kid? She had a grand time! Cat
Posted by bill riedel (Member # 607) on :
OK Cat, now you have carried on what Grandpa Dan has started. Way to go.
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
Way to go Cat....
All it takes is a bit of confidence to start and the energy of creating something takes over from there.
We all start out with humble little baby steps and build up to a run.
take care
Posted by Mark M. Kottwitz (Member # 1764) on :
Thats so cool, Cat.
I bet that little girl will remember that day for years (she will even go to school telling all her friends that she painted part of the sign).
One of these days, she may even walk back into your shop looking to apprentice.
Reminds me of the story Craig Fraiser had in the forward of one of his books. His dad took him into an airbrushers shop because he wanted to get started doing that type of work. He wasn't looking for much, just sweep the floors and help out so that he might pick up some pointers. The guy took his scrap book, flipped through it and handed it back and told him that he didn't have time to "babysit".
Years went by and Craig was at a booth at a fair, brushing, and an older guy and his wife walked up and stood for a few minutes. The guy remarked that he had been in the area his whole life and had never seen Craigs work. Craig told him that he had come into the shop when he was about 10, and what the painter had told him. The older guys wife hit him in the arm and said "See, I told you that you should have been nicer to all those kids that wanted to learn!"
Posted by Steve Purcell (Member # 1140) on :
"Oh, I could never do that..."
Those words exactly, are why I became a ropes course director.
Kids (adults too!) don't say things like that after they've spent a few hours with me on the high course.
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
That's great CAT! Way to go!
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
Cat, that is such a wonderful story!!!! Wow, you bet that girl will remember you! You may have planted a big seed toward her future!
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
What a wonderful heritage that you're sharing with the new generation! That's the true letterhead (and mentoring) spirit is all about. I remember a traveling poet that came to town; during my high school days. He brought his car into the center of the mall for any interested students from the local schools that wanted to come to paint pictures and scenes on his car. When we asked him what he wanted, he told us to use our imaginations and it would be only what he wanted. We finished a beautiful, unique car with our own personal interpretations of his poetry that he could take nationwide and teach others.
Wishing I had a picture to show you, but the experience is in my mind forever like it was yesterday, and is one that shaped my lifestyle as an artist, and my first vehicle paintings.
Someone has to show the children what beauty they can have in their lives as the world today is neglectful of the art and music programs, so sad, but true. So... if you do this, Cat, it inspires me also to get busy.
[ September 01, 2006, 11:29 AM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Atta Cat! Good on ya!
Posted by Bill Wood (Member # 6543) on :
Some sign makers will not share their skills with others for fear they might catch on or even go into their own business. My son William who is now 42 was painting a 10X40 KOA campground sign with a pictoral at 12 years old.He is a professional signpainter today.So where would he be if I had not given him the opportunity to try out the brush. Cat,that's a great story. Keep it up and soon it will be the ultimate group therapy for those who stop to admire you.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Good for you Cat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Its a great thing to challenge the folks who don''t believe in themselves and PROVE them wrong. In the process you have no idea just what you light have started.
I believe its a task all of us should tackle on a daily basis. I know I get no bigger joy than doing just that regularly. We all have some great talent inside us which just needs opportunity to shine!
-grampa dan
[ September 01, 2006, 08:27 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Posted by Karen Wunch (Member # 3577) on :
Heya, Cat
It's amazing what 20 minutes can do to 'change' someone forever...Bless your heart, Cuz. Are you coming to Dixie? If'n you are, you've got a place to stay!
Always my best. We'll bump into each other some fine day!
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Way to go, Cat! I sure wish I had met someone like you when I was that age. (Late Bloomer)
Posted by Bill Dirkes (Member # 1000) on :
Cat, That is soooooooo YOU! That little girl will tell her grandkids about that day. For years I led the high school youth groupat church. In '85 the church built a gym. At VBS in 86 I projected a page from a Bible coloring book on the wall (about 8'x12')and hauled in a bunch of paint & brushes to let the kids have at it.... I was amazed at their fear of making a mistake! Once we broke thru that, they had fun; I did that for 12 years, Same thing every year. Get em to understand it's just paint, it;ll dry & tommorrow's another day. Have no fear.
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
![[Smile]](smile.gif)