“Artists are just children who refuse to put down their crayons.” Al Hirschfeld
Only 3 years old, I have fond memories of my mother bringing a fresh box of 48 Crayola Crayons home to our barracks in the Aleutian Islands -Adak, Alaska. Little did I know that it was such an influence in my creative life? I would analyze each color, the milky color of apricot, complimenting the silvery periwinkle and perfect combination with magenta. The combinations were endless and I was determined to explore as many as I could create.
I do remember my first coloring, a pig, with the famous Carnation Pink. I don’t think I cared about the pig as much as seeing the beauty of the luscious pink. Is this my imagination? Could a three year old have experienced such intensity?
My first day in Kindergarten I was handed a box of 8 crayons. My first thought was “where is my box of 48? How could I possibly create anything with these primary colors?” I remember asking my teacher if I could bring my own crayons. “Of course, Janet if you can bring them for the entire class to share”. Well that ended that. I had to learn new ways to compensate, outlining in black, which soon changed because the teacher thought I was depressed. Then I would outline the inside of the object and color it different colors or layer colors.
Today I relate to the crayon colors similarities to my oil paints, bittersweet becomes Quinacridone Burnt Sienna combined with white, midnight blue now the famous Prussian Blue, Brick red similar to Indian Red and Magenta close to Permanent Rose.
Crayola Crayons simply prepared my sensibility to color. Could it even of affected me at a neurological level, as described in the book, “The Talent Code” by Daniel Coyle?
Color is my first love and as I have always said, “Without color I wouldn’t paint”.
*ART20K footage completed 5268 square inches.
*Painting above, Title: “A View From The 18th Hole”, measures 36″ x 48″, Oil on museum wrapped canvas (no need for framing), Price $4320
*All art from Janet Vanderhoof’s Fine Art Gallery, maybe seen in Janet’s studio at Morgan Hill, CA. You may purchase through contacting my email jvander51@msn.com or phone (408) 460-7237. Thank you!
Janet, I can so relate to the box of crayola crayons. They also had a big influence on my love of colour and texture.
Exactly! (Another lovely painting, by the way!)
Beautiful painting Janet! So glad your Mom handed you the big bix :O)
Ooops that should have been box!
That’s so great Jo-Anne, I really believe that Crayola Crayons inspire children to be artists. When the box of 64 came out in 1958, I became a Crayola Crayon afficionado. So glad you left a message, thank you!
Thanks Dixie, I know you love color too!
Thank you Shannon, Me too, 8 crayons would never cut it for me. They should invent a box of 200, I think I would purchase them at this age. 🙂
Ill still take a babysitting job for the crayons lol…Your Art truly is Fine Janet 🙂
Love it Chrissy, better than seashells? Hugs and thank you!
What a fun post! It is really powerful when we can trace our creative tracks back to a childhood memory. I can see how your little box of crayons really did influence your work today!
Happy coloring 😉
Yes it is Lori, it can help identify our strengths. Thank you!