ARTIST’S BIO
Many years ago, after dealing with a long-term illness and spending about two years on the couch, I wanted to do something. Something, anything, but watch more TV. Still somewhat fragile, easily fatigued, I decided drawing would be perfect. Drawing doesn’t require a lot of physical strength. And I would be able to use my now less foggy brain. But where to start?
I remembered the Famous Artists Course binders my father had given me. He had once had the dream of being an artist. The binders were designed as a correspondence course, a series of lessons in three binders. You did your lessons and mailed them to the school for a promised critique by a professional artist. The anticipated result: a trained, commercial artist. What nowadays would be called a graphic designer.
The original course was designed by some commercial artists who actually were famous. Ever heard of Norman Rockwell?
So, I started with the red binder and lesson one. I was a little taken aback at the sexism and noticed no women teachers. However, the principles and techniques taught were solid.
After working my way through lessons 1 through 8 of the red binder, I started on lessons 9 through 16. As I opened the yellow binder, I thought, wow, I am so happy!
In my late 20s, I had finally figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up. An artist.
L.E. PAULSON 