Post a Reminiscence
We would enjoy reading and possibly posting your reminiscences
about paint by number. Send a message to pbn@nmah.si.edu.
Please let us know how and if you wish to be identified in your
message.
Thanks in advance for your kind consideration and interest in
the exhibitions, publications, and programs of the
Smithsonian Institution.
We welcome any comment you may care to make.
Since this site’s debut in April 2001, we have
asked people to share via e-mail their memories of
paint by number. The earliest are at the top, the
most recent at the bottom. Several have been edited
to reduce length.
Larry Bird
Curator
April 2001
May 2001
June 2001
July/August 2001
September/October 2001
November 2001 - February 2002
March 2002 - May 2002
June 2002 - December 2002
January 2003-September 2004
November 2004-December 2005
Great idea for exhibit!
My Russian Jewish grandparents both did paint by
number for a hobby. They had immigrated to America
from Ukraine, during the early 1920's, via Ellis
Island. My grandfather eventually became a
successful grocery store/butcher shop
owner/proprietor in Princeton, NJ. He was a man who
loved to learn, and reading the Torah/Bible was his
favorite pastime. My grandmother loved all things
artistic. Much to my surprise, one summer when we
went to visit them in Trenton NJ, I was astonished
to see, set up in the kitchen, and on the back
porch, some paint by number canvases on easels,
partially completed, the oil waiting to dry. My
Nanny told me she and Poppy had taken it up for
"‘obbies" (no H pronounced), for their
health. The stink of the oil made me question their
choice of "healthy" hobbies!! The shock to
a small kid to realize his grandparents
"played" with paints was truly a novelty!
Thank you!
Grandaughter of two wonderful Russian immigrants
April 6, 2001
#
Yes, I painted by the numbers in my late teens,
and framed them inexpensively, and hung them on the
walls of my family's home. We were relatively poor
and this was a fun activity we could afford. I
remember having a wooden hand rest that fit across
the picture so you could continue painting before
one color got dry.
We lived in a small town in the mountains of
Pennsylvania with no access to "art." No
museums were close by, no school teachers were
proficient in art subjects, no one that I recall
brought art to our community.
Today, the schools teach all manner of art
disciplines; there are many, many more museums;
teachers take the children to the museums; magazines
such as the Smithsonian include articles about art.
Note cards feature famous art; organizations such as
the Alzheimer’s Association use famous artists on
their "free" cards. There are art
shows/fairs all over the country. The climate for
art is entirely different from what it was in small
town 1950s.
I don’t know that it was paint by numbers that
fostered my interest, but I now visit all the
museums I can find, both near my home and on my
numerous trips throughout the world, to see
"art." I have no talent for painting or
sculpture; but I like to take photographs of scenery
and many people like my compositions. Several of my
photographs have won prizes in a local art show. Who
knows, maybe it was "paint-by-numbers"
that helped me learn composition.
I’m happy to see the renewed interest in this
genre. I think it formed the basis for other crafts,
such as the "stained glass" kits I’ve
seen. I’m very hopeful of getting to Washington to
see this exhibit before it closes.
Carol W. Elliott
Flagler Beach, FL
April 7, 2001
#
I was in grammar school in the early ‘60's, and
every year for Christmas, whoever drew my name,
would get me a paint by number set. I hated it. I
wanted to get bath powder and bubble bath, or
"Evening in Paris" perfume sets, or
manicure sets, something "girlie,"
anything but paint by number.
But, as an amateur artist today, I am thoroughly
surprised to see how my work has been influenced by
the very thing I wanted least. The way I handle
color and form reminds me so much of the sets. Paint
by number introduced me to the smell and feel of
"real" oil paint that still thrills me
today. Thank you. I wish I still had some of my old
paint by numbers to hang on the wall now.
Judy Newell Murdock
Boaz, AL
April 10, 2001
#
I would love to see this exhibit!
I was a child of the 50s and loved art. My
parents would give me paint by number sets, along
with "real" art supplies. The great thing
about paint-by-number was that it gave me a chance
to "feel" paint, plan how to work with wet
paint, clean up afterwards (!), take care of the
brushes, be patient when the paint has to dry....
Even the oddly-shapes numbered spaces taught
contours, modeling, and how our eyes blend colors to
form shapes and shadows. I quickly became frustrated
with constraints of paint-by-number, but being a
good little catholic girl in the fifties, did not
even consider painting outside the lines! Until my
mother asked about a strange blotch of color on one
completed painting. I explained that was the color
that "they" said I had to use. And she
explained I could have made it ANY color I wanted! I
didn’t have to do it that way just because
"they" said so! What a revelation for a
9-year-old kid in the 50s! I would take the
"leftover" paint from the PBN kits and try
my hand at my original compositions!
Fast forward – I have a degree in art and have
worked as an art director in television and
advertising, a photographer, a designer, and an art
teacher on the college level. Not bad for a
paint-by-numbers start!
Thanks for listening!
Kathryn L. Bergstrom
April 10, 2001
#
This feels like a confessional. I have a masters
degree in art, I am a director of a non profit art
space, I have been an art professional for almost
thirty years! And yes- I have a small
collection(14-15) paint by numbers in my basement,
hanging on a wall all together, some are gifts from
friends who know about my shameful passion. I also
cruise St. Vincents, and Goodwill and garage and
rummage sales for the perfect paint by number
examples. I love them. I did a paint by number kit I
got for Christmas when I was eight years old. It was
a pair of ballerinas, which I botched by the time I
got to their ankles. There I was, a little farm kid,
in January, at the dining room table with my kit, my
cousin, who lived a half mile away, got a pair of
palomino horse heads. They turned out great, and
hung in the entry of their farm house for years. My
collection includes duplicates of scenes of the old
church in the snow and woods, The Last Supper, a
Head of Christ, Hunting Dogs, Mallards, Wood and
Waterfalls, Barns and what I call Vermont scenes,
Deer Leaping About, and I have an in-the original-
box of sailboats and water scenes. Several of which
are not even touched. The original paint containers
are there too. I have been looking for the
ballerinas I had as a kid, and horse heads, with no
luck so far. This exhibit and the bibliography will
help me in my quest.
Thank you for this opportunity.
Cheryl Parker
Sturgeon Bay, WI
April 11, 2001
#
There was no greater joy as a child than to get a
new paint by number kit. When I first started, It
was as if all things were possible. My childhood
dream of being an artist was titillated by paint by
number kits, my favorite being the face of a dog
with many shades of brown. Sometimes I gaged my
capability by how many different numbers there were,
or the size of the spaces. I can even remember the
scent which emanated from the little white pots of
paint as I opened and stirred them, which somehow
fanned my artist dream even more. Stirring the oil
which always separated from the paint, then cleaning
my brush so I would not glob out the lines, were
always great challenges! Sometimes when I am in the
art and hobby shop getting supplies for school
projects, I slip over to the shelf where the paint
by number kits are, and my mind races back to all
those scents, and the excitement returns. Then I
hear my mother saying "Now what are you going
to do with that thing?" and my hand drops back
down and I saunter over to another counter. I give
up too easily now, and did then, which is probably
why I became an editor instead of an artist.
Thanks for asking for remembrances!
Lennie Washington
April 11, 2001
#
Two reasons I liked the paint-by-numbers
masterpieces I created were these:
1) Many of the pictures I did came about through
the free time I had when I was home from school
sick. I can’t recall faking a fever to finish my
da Vinci, though.
2) And then another big selling point for me was
that great smell of the paint. Finally, about TV
supplanting PBN, I, personally, found great
satisfaction painting over yet another segment while
watching I Love Lucy. Which brings to mind the
segmentation -- you didn’t just get to complete
one picture. Each color segment was its own work of
art, small enough to be done in no time, but giving
a sense of closure. THAT’s what it is about TV,
too. And that’s how I was able to fly through
Lonesome Dove many years later - small chapters.
Which brings me to a bag of potato chips.
Arthur Davies
April 16, 2001
#
Every Friday, when my mother went to local
grocery store to do the weekly shopping, she would
also stop at the "variety store" and bring
back a paint-by-number kit for my sister and I to
work on while we watched TV on Friday night. We were
partial to animals (puppies, kittens, horses,
etc.)...but my mother liked Oriental scenes. My
mother and I ended up working on them because my
sister and I would always start fighting....she
would use the "wrong" colors and go over
the lines (artistic license) while I wanted it to
look like a perfect replica of the picture on the
box lid. We would have cheese and crackers while we
did this....Ritz crackers with cheese that was
sprayed on them from an aerosol can.....
Barbara Strand
April 18, 2001
#
My family was an ill lot. It seems my Mother, her
2 Sisters, and the 2 Daughters of these, were always
home ill on the couch. I remember, having been born
in 1952, PAINT BY NUMBER was discovered here in Iowa
about 1956 to 1958. From that moment on, our walls
were covered wish scenes from Americana, homes,
animals, etc. To me, they always had a "warm
and fuzzy", later, a "Disney" feel to
them.
And so, today, as I cruise the aisles of the
resale shops, whenever I see the same finished
pictures languishing in the bins under layers of
dust, I harken back immediately to the smells of oil
paint, thinner, medicines, and high fevers.
April 16, 2001
#
I just visited your web site regarding the
paint-by-number craze of the 1950s. Being a child in
the era (I was born in 1948) I have many fond
memories of many types of paint-by-number kits my
mother used to paint and provided for my brothers
and myself. They were such a great pastime,
especially on those cold wintery days in Minnesota
or on one of those rainy stormy days in the summer
when we couldn’t play outside. We did a number of
the Craft Master series and my mother lovingly
framed them and hung them around our home. We couldn’t
afford "real" art, so to us it was a bit
of luxury to have "real" oil paintings
around the house. My mother painted them very
precisely and she taught us to do the same. Granted
it was sort of a family therapy sitting around the
kitchen table painting for hours. I also remember
the Venus Pencil paint-by-number kits which were
around in the late 1950s and were even more exciting
to do because they were done in rich-colored
pencils, many kits having dozens of colors. I
remember painting numerous pictures, such as the Taj
Mahal, the South American jungle, market scenes in
the Orient, tropical paradise palms and beaches, and
other places I could only dream about visiting.
Thanks for rekindling some fond memories of my
childhood. I only wish I had some of those
"originals" now.
Loren Blakeslee
April 23, 2001
#
I was pleased to browse through your Paint By
Numbers display on your web site. It brought back a
lot of memories. One or two on your site I remember
doing, and a couple I would have loved to have done.
Being from Muskegon, Michigan originally, I was
surprised to learn they originated on the other side
of the state in Detroit. It is fascinating. Thank
you for taking the time to put it on the Internet
for me.
Linda Gremillion
April 23, 2001
#
My wife and I were just talking about the paint
by number kits the other day. We both remember them
being fun but we also remembered the problem with
the paints. The paints were oil-based and needed
time to dry before doing the next number. Well,
house dust was magically attracted to the paint
while it dried. You always ended up with a fuzzy
number 5 or 2 color. By the time you finally
finished, the entire picture was fuzzy. This is okay
if you were painting puppies or kittens but
seascapes.
All in all, through it was fun and a happy time
and memory.
Tony and Dessina Crosby
Charlotte, NC
April 23, 2001
#
I am now sitting in my living room looking at a
paint by numbers of Emmett Kelley that my Mother did
back in the early 70's. About 2 years before Mother
died, my Dad made a beautiful frame for this picture
and gave it to me for a Christmas present. At the
time, I was not really impressed, but now I see the
beauty of what I have. A picture painted by my dear
departed
Mother and a frame made with my loving Dad’s
own hands. I would not take anything for this
picture. I look at the picture and see Mother
painting it and the memories are beautiful. We need
more paint by numbers in my opinion.
Sincerely,
Sharla Coffee
Greenup, KY
April 24, 2001
#
I was born and raised in a small town in Eastern
Washington state, Colfax. It’s only claim to fame
is that it is the county seat of Whitman County. I
seem to recall having been given a paint by number
kit by my Aunt Dorothy when I was 8 years old, which
would have been around 1957. If I remember correctly
it was the self-same house on the snowy hill
featured on the opening page of the web site. I
remember being amazed that the white board with the
blue lines and numbers could actually turn into a
painting of sorts. Fortunately for the world of art,
I also discovered scale model airplanes at about the
same time, so my hard earned allowance went to
Revell and Monogram (I was above Lindbergh and
Aurora kits, which I felt to be second rate) instead
of Palmer. Aunt Dorothy felt she had to nurture the
intellectual side of life, since my Dad was very
much a product of the blue collar laboring class. I
guess it worked in some form, since I went on to get
a college degree and am now a library manager in
South Carolina.
Thanks, Aunt Dorothy.
Robert E. Gants
Green Sea-Floyds Library
Green Sea, SC 29545
April 24, 2001
#
I loved the paint by number paintings... I wish
we could still buy them... I paint, but I remember
back then the paintings made me feel a little like
Grandma Moses.
Pamela Ferrell
April 24, 2001
#
My father did a set of three paint-by-numbers
pictures a long time ago. One of the set was a group
of cocker spaniel puppies. The other two pictures
were the mom and dad. I wish I knew what happened to
them. As a child, I loved doing the Venus Paradise
color by number kits. They were done with colored
pencils. Thanks for a great site!
Deb Squicciarini
April 24, 2001
#
I have always been intrigued by Paint by Numbers,
dating way back to the early 60's when I received my
first set and embarked on a lifelong "craft and
art" lifestyle. As an adult, I started to
collect fine examples of completed vintage 50's
style Paint by Numbers about 3 years ago. All my
friends thought I was crazy, just like they did when
I started to collect Tramp Art Boxes five years ago.
Your exhibit which I found out about in today’s
Chicago Tribune lends me collecting credibility, and
brings a smile to my face. Art is subjective and
Paint by Numbers is totally an American Marketing
Success Story. Thanks for acknowledgment.
Regards,
Beth Kamhi
April 25, 2001
#
My sister and myself were subjected to this in
Christmas, 1959 or ‘60. Being the oldest male
sibling, I received "Blue Boy"; my sister
being the oldest female, received "Pinky."
Since I was already into interpreting life in the
form of model trains, I’d have much preferred more
Balsa wood and Testor’s paint/glue. (Model
Railroading was in it’s infancy still, and very
crude by today’s standards.)
We both gave our paintings a try. Both gave it
up.
To me, the whole experience was boring,
especially compared to adventuring out on my bike,
hiking, or in inclement weather playing with my
trains. Maybe more sedentary people enjoyed them.
Now that I’m in that category, it might be fun
to try it again, with the flexibility to override
instructions that maturity brings.
Good Exhibit Idea!
D.
April 25, 2001
#
I definitely remember the paint by number time. I
did several myself, including a trio of pictures of
hunting dogs. I can’t remember what else I painted
now, but the dogs hung in the living room for quite
a while, as did some of the other
"paintings" that I did. I know I enjoyed
the time, and it kept me out of trouble several
times since I was painting when I could have been
somewhere else. Thanks for the memories, it brings
back some good times, that I do miss sometimes now.
David Simmons
April 25, 2001
#
Enjoyed your web site which was forwarded to me
by a co-worker.
The imagery brings back fond memories of a
paint-by-number piece one of my older brothers
painted. It was a Venetian scene. When completed it
had the feeling of a stained glass window looking
out over the Venice canals.
I also remember the distinct smell of the paints
and how intriguing they looked in their individual
little pots with metal lids.
alta
April 26, 2001
#
I still have my paint by number of a tiger’s
head in the jungle. People tease me about it, but it
took a lot of time and focus and attention to
detail. Many of those things are that - just a
memory. Today’s life seems disjointed and subject
to multi-tasking, without much sense of
accomplishment or completion. I will always keep my
"painting" as a fond reminder of that era
of surplus time!
Patrick Beal
Dallas, TX
April 26, 2001
#
I remember my mother purchasing paint by number
paintings when I was about 5 years old. That would
make it in the early 50's. My mother, my sister (1
year younger) and I would paint on rainy days when
we could not go out to the playground. I remember
that she would only allow one person at a time to
paint, and she would always monitor what we did. The
paintings many times took months. Strangely we all
enjoyed it. She would always select beach, ocean or
mountain vistas. She was patient and allowed us to
make mistakes. She would paint over them when
possible.
None of the paintings survived. I wish they had.
Jess Feldman
April 26, 2001
#
Will the posts you receive be available for the
public to read?
I am writing a book for grades 5-12 about the
history of American recreation (Lerner Books,
Minneapolis) and would love to see these responses
to possibly use as quotes in my chapter about
post-war recreation.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Christina Mierau
Tampa, FL
April 26, 2001
Feel free to quote from and cite the site for
your history. LB
#
Being a Baby Boomer I grew up with paint by
numbers. I guess my family thought they were not
good enough artists or had the confidence to go off
on their own, so paint by numbers was a real treat
and fun things to do in upstate New York. Long
winters and days off from school lead to many hours
of painting by numbers. When my Dad retired he
returned to doing a few more paint by numbers but
finding them were harder. Now I see them in antique
shops/rummage sales and those pictures always bring
a ting to my heart.
Somehow we all were artists in some way.
Yes you can share my thoughts.
Evy McGinness
Amelia Island, FL
April 26, 2001
p.s. My son is a NYC artist with shows in
Paris/Munich and Tokyo despite never having done a
paint by number.
#
I was born in 1950, so I was a prime target for
PBN. Just seeing the term "Paint by
Numbers" brought back a flood of memories of my
childhood. Many thanks for that. Among other things,
it seems to me that it was a way to gain
"acceptance" in my mother’s eye (being
the 3rd of six children). Completing one of the
paintings as a gift for my mother made me feel
important and accomplished.
Any way as I said thanks for the memories. I can
smell the paints as I write this.
Tom Dobens
April 26, 2001
#
I can remember my older brother probably in the
late 1960s painting by number. He had talent and
later painted at school and was the first boy to
study Art at our High School (Australia 1970) How
times change? He became an Architect and took up
painting watercolor seascapes in recent years. It
annoys me when the pseudo-intellectuals of the 50's
belittled an innocent activity. That’s my view.
Regards,
Robyn Pollock
April 27, 2001
#
My name is Frank and I am a philistine when it
comes to art appreciation. I do remember doing quite
a few paint by numbers when I was a kid. I was born
in 1950. I remember doing them with a great deal
personal of satisfaction. I also think that doing
them did increase my appreciation of art beyond
where I was at the time. I could understand the
effort and the work it took the guy who first
painted it, along with some of his insights. It has
certainly been one of my few ventures into the arts.
Come to think of it, I wish I had one now to work
on, can you get them anymore?
Take care, God Bless,
Rev. Francisco Conkle-Ryán ST
Loíza, Puerto Rico
April 27, 2001
Several companies are merchandising kits through
hobby and craft stores, as well as on the web.
LB
#
Thanks for some very interesting information.
This hobby wasn’t limited to canvas, but extended
to metal goods as well. I have a metal trash can and
a metal desk pen or letter holder, and know of
another trash can in my area, all in remarkable
shape in the context of their age.
Robert Ware
April 27, 2001
#
I can smell the turpentine and oil paint now. My
mother humored me in the mid-50's by allowing me to
select a set of three paint by number barn
landscapes from the Sears, Roebuck catalog. Two of
my finished paintings were professionally framed and
hung in our Nebraska farmhouse living room. Today,
the differing colored contours and lines of
demarcation shout, "paint by number!" but
the memories are sweet, none-the-less. Mindless
conformity? I thought my efforts were wonderful---I
guess self-esteem came easier for teenagers fifty
years ago!
Elaine Frasier
Max, NE
April 28, 2001
#
I did a couple as a kid back in the late 50's but
the only one I can remember is a Carmen Miranda type
dancer wearing a billowing skirt in the village
square. It hung in my bedroom for years, even after
I move away. Then my Mom died and my Dad moved away
so I’m sure it was thrown out in the trash. But I
can still picture it in my mind, even where I gave
her a big nose due to a paint blob.
Fred Schwartz
Raleigh, NC
April 28, 2001
#
I guess I was about 13 when I received for
Christmas from my Father a Paint-by-number kit.
These are two 16 x 20 pictures. I spent hours doing
them and when they were complete my father framed
them. They are still hanging on the wall of my
mother’s living room.
These are two Oriental pictures. I haven’t seen
any like them since. I have recently decided that I
want to start doing paint-by-number again. I am
going to look on the Internet for some pictures to
do. I saw the piece that was done on CBS Sunday
Morning show today. I enjoyed it very much. It
brought back good memories. I am 57 years old and my
father passed away 20 years ago.
Sincerely,
Charlotte Stetson
Philadelphia, PA
April 29, 2001
#
I have a 16 x 20 paint-by-number still life that
I did in 1963 framed and hanging on my wall. I
wonder where you got the paintings for the exhibit.
Pauline
April 29, 2001
Most of the kits and paintings in the show were
kindly lent by collectors who scour flea markets,
thrift stores, yard sales, and household goods
auctions. LB
#
Hanging on my wall are two 12"x16"
tropical sunsets I painted for my mother-in-law for
Christmas around 1963. I blended some of the colors
in the sky and water. We stained the oak frames to
walnut color. I won a blue ribbon on them at the
county fair that year.
When my mother-in-law died, the pictures were
returned to me. A quick wash-up with dish soap, and
they look brand new.
You may use my name if you wish. I’m in
southeast Kansas.
Judy Bay
April 29, 2001
#
I painted many a picture back in the 50's and
60's. However in the 70's I realized that my kids
were about to be College bound and I forced to start
working two full time jobs to be able to send them
to college. Then in 90's I retired and to my
frustration couldn’t find the paint by the numbers
that I so greatly enjoyed. Someone told that they
are not made anymore. Is that true or do I still
have a chance to get them somewhere? I sincerely
hope you can help me? I realize your not a help
site, but I can always hope.
Thank you for reading this,
Robert
April 30, 2001
#
My late father just LOVED to do Paint By Number!
He did several pictures and a couple of tin trays
that my mother still has. One of them was the Last
Supper. He enjoyed doing these so much and was very
meticulous with the painting process.
I ran across them the other day, and seeing them
again just brought back so many warm memories. He’s
been gone 13 years now, and I’ll probably keep
these pictures for many more years.
Suzanne Park Novoselac
Illinois
April 30, 2001
#
Your site concerning Paint-by-Number art is very
nicely done!
In my parents’ home, there are two paintings
done by an aunt, my Dad’s sister (who passed away
in 1991). They are paint-by-numbers of a springtime
scene, very lovely, very detailed, and very well
done. I treasure them immensely. They are approx.
18x24, I think. I feel that it may have been
"merely" paint-by-number, but knowing this
in no way diminishes from what my Aunt created--I
think it adds to their charm. When she gave them to
our family years ago, my Dad was very honored and
immediately had them framed. If a visitor inquired,
when we’d say they were done by my Aunt, and they
were paint-by-number, they’d express surprise,
because they’re so good.
As for me, I could never stay in the lines, or
have enough patience to finish one!
Thanks, and have a nice day!
Pam
Norman, OK
April 30, 2001
#
When I was a little girl, I decided to do a
paint-by-numbers work of "art" for my
grandparents’ wedding anniversary. I had no money
and begged my mother and father to let me do chores
to earn enough for the kit.
Unfortunately I was cursed with horrible,
alcoholic/drug addict parents, and after much
griping they finally agreed to pay me exactly the
amount for the kit for doing numerous chores.
When I walked to the store to purchase the kit, I
had only enough for the kit, not the tax (I was too
young to know what "tax" was). So I went
back home and begged my parents for the tax. They
griped and refused for some time, until I started
crying in frustration over being so close to getting
the present I wanted to give my grandparents; then
they finally handed over the few cents required to
cover the tax.
I walked back to the store, purchased the kit,
and brought it home. Upon reading the instructions,
I realized that in order to make the paints fluid
enough to use properly (and keep them from drying
out) I would also need to purchase linseed oil. So I
again went to my parents. This time, even though
linseed oil was only 85 cents, as I remember, they
absolutely refused to either give me the money or
allow me to do more chores--they said there were no
more chores, I had done them all.
Giving up on my parents, I dove in and struggled
to complete that painting with my thick undiluted
paints which were quickly drying out as I worked.
After a couple of days, even though I was rushing to
finish, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to.
Finally, my paints completely hardened, yet I still
had a small section to complete. I tried to
reconstitute the paints with anything I could think
of found around the house, with no success. I ended
up finishing the rest of the blanks by scraping
still-flexible chunks where possible from the tiny
cups, and pressing them into place, sometimes
adhering them with glue.
My grandparents framed and hung the painting in
their den, where it remained until they both had
passed away many years later.
By the way--the painting was of an elk in a
forest.
I developed a passionate interest in all of the
arts. Over time, I was able to occasionally purchase
regular art materials for myself, and sit for hours
painting my favorite outdoor places. In high school
one of my paintings was awarded a special regional
prize which they created specifically for my
painting, as it didn’t fit into any of their
categories! (That was an abstract of plants.) I was
amused that the man giving me the award (the school’s
art teacher, who also ran the town’s art supply
store) asked what medium I used to paint it. I told
him watercolors. He launched into a long criticism
about why I "should" have used acrylics.
When he finished, I honestly replied: "I used
the only paints I had." He became quiet for
some time and I think I taught him more about art
that day than he did me.
In my 20's, I became senior apprentice to a
traditional Chinese artist; ran several types of
home decor businesses; and sold every painting I
ever showed to anyone! I prefer Western European
abstract oil painting; and I have SEVERAL bottles of
linseed oil on hand at all times!
Good luck with your exhibition.
Regards,
[anon]
April 30, 2001
#
This is quite funny. I am married to an artist,
degree in fine art. I have told him many times that
I wanted to do Paint by Numbers because I loved it
as a child. He would laugh hysterically, letting me
know that under no circumstances would a wife of his
do this, especially in his art studio!!
So yesterday I was watching Sunday TV and there
was a program on the Smithsonian Institution’s
exhibition and I was so enchanted, I called him
immediately (I’m visiting my dad in another
state), and told him I was going to begin doing
paint by numbers, and I have this great idea to
decorate my laundry room with the entire collection,
also framing the history of paint by numbers that I’ve
downloaded. So, I begin my "creative"
endeavor. I can’t wait to smell the paint! He’ll
just have to adjust!
Pam Marsh
April 30, 2001
#
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