George The Artist
The famous photographer Ansel Adams said, “I think God puts me in places where he wants someone to click the shutter.” Recently I had one of those experiences when George, a seven-year-old artist and I found ourselves talking art and learning from each other about art. George’s father, who is also George, brought him to the Jewish Community Center Gallery on the evening of the artist reception. As he walked around the gallery I saw him stop at my charcoal drawings and linger for a moment and talk to his dad. I went over to the boy and introduced myself. The father said “Hello, I am George and this is my son George.” His dad and I had a conversation about how much his son loved art and that he was always drawing. This young boy looked at me with his big brown beautiful eyes and pointed to the drawing of “Terra” and said, “I want to draw just like that.” Then he preceded to ask me questions.
George draws a girl from memory.
George’s version of Rita’s Tony.
George draws his father.
G. When did you first start drawing?
R. As a child I loved playing with crayons and making anything that looked like art. But, I did not begin drawing with charcoal until I was in my 60’s.
R. What do you like to draw George?
G. I like to draw people.
R. How often do you draw?
G. All the time.
G. How long does it take you to do a drawing?
R. A complete charcoal drawing can take 10-12 hours.
G. What is charcoal?
R. It is a chalk that comes from burning wood and then compressing the ashes into a stick that you can draw with. Charcoal is a very old medium for drawing. The chalk comes in shades of gray and black and can be soft or hard, dark or light.
R. When do you like to draw, what time of day?
G. Morning and afternoon.
G. What kind of music do you play when you draw?
R. Acoustic guitar music is my favorite. Instrumental music helps me focus on the drawing. What is your favorite music George.?
G. I like what ever my dad plays.
Rita’s quick sketch of George.
George’s portrait of his father.
George draws Rita.
After enjoying this conversation with “George the Artist”, his father and I agreed that we needed to get together again. George came to my house and he dove right in to the art materials that surrounded him. We spent an afternoon drawing together, his father took it all in as he rested and we listened to music. Art had brought three people together to enjoy this moment in time.
Yes, I agree with Ansel Adams, I do believe that God puts us in places where he wants us to use our gifts. What a privilege to see “George the Artist” beginning to bloom and grow from this young age into a lifetime of art. I’ll be watching.