Thanks to My Dad

Ocean Life

Charcoal

12.75” x 19.75”

2014

Thanks to My Dad

I decided to post this picture because of the following story, and because we are planning our annual trip to California, and I am so stoked I can't handle it! San Diego is one of our favorite places in the world, and I can't wait!

This drawing was one of my first real experiences working with charcoal, and the first time I ever even found out that white charcoal existed! I thought it was all just black. I did this project in my senior year of high school, and it is one of my favorite drawings I have ever done. I put a lot of time and effort into this drawing, and it's one of the first drawings I ever remember being truly proud of.

I've had a lot of people say that they really like the birds in this drawing, but honestly, that is my least favorite part! I still to this day don't know why people pick that part out over the rest. Personally, my favorite part is the turtle, I remember that that section was the most fun to draw, and I think it turned out better than the rest of the drawing did.

Some may know this, but I have always liked to draw, though I can't say I was any good at all for a very long time (what kid is though). I took my very first art class in 9th grade, full of hope and thinking it would be super fun.

Boy, was I wrong. I hated almost every minute of that class. The teacher didn't seem to care about what he was teaching, on the rare occasion that he did any teaching. I honestly only learned one thing in the entire semester I was in that class. He also didn't care to help the students individually, unless you were one of his favorites. Which I wasn't, as I was extremely shy at the time. Long story short, I got basically nothing out of that class besides a growing dislike for art and art classes.

A lot of times, I think that it was my high school art teacher that re-convinced me that I liked to draw and paint, because he is the one that encouraged and helped me as I developed my skills. He helped me a lot with whatever questions I had or any roadblocks I encountered, including with this piece. He taught us as a class, and on an individual level, making sure that his students succeeded.

Like I said, often my mind automatically thinks it was him that helped me get back into the whole art scene. But in all reality, it was my dad.

My dad knew how much I hated that 9th grade art class. He knew how much I wanted to give up on art altogether because of it. I simply didn't want to do it anymore.

But my dad also saw something that I couldn't see myself. I'm getting emotional here as I put this into words, and it sounds so corny, but my dad believed in me when I didn't. I owe everything I have in art to him. My love of painting and drawing, whatever talent and skill I have, everything, I owe to him.

See, my dad was the one that helped me put together my school schedule and decide on what classes I would take my senior year. As we were working it out, I had a space I had to fill with an elective credit. I didn't know what to put there, and my dad suggested taking a CE art class in that empty spot.

I'm pretty sure I fought him. In fact, I know I did. I didn't want to take an art class, in my mind, they were pointless, I was nowhere near up to par with the other kids, and it's college credit, so it's bound to be harder than I can handle. But my dad knew I could do it, and honestly, I think he was led to force me to take that class! He basically told me he wanted me to take it, that it would be good for me, that I love art, and that I should give it a shot. So I did.

My love for art grew from there. I realized that my dad was right, and I am so grateful that he was. Painting and drawing, ceramics, basically all types of creating art has been such a blessing in my life. It helps relieve stress, gives me an outlet for all my 'creative energy' that builds up inside me, and fills me with a different kind of joy.

I am so grateful to my dad. Not only did he help me in this regard, but he has taught me so many things in life. He taught me how to be an honest, hard worker. How to listen to the Spirit, how to serve others. He has taught me patience, understanding, and how to be a good person. He taught me what to look for in a future spouse, and how men should treat women. He has taught me, through the many trials we each have gone through, that you can either let something defeat you, or help you grow. He has been an amazing example of that growth. Me and my dad have been through some pretty tough things together, and I wouldn't change one bit of one trial. Because me and my dad have grown closer together through each of them. I don't know where I would be without my dad, I love him so much.

Say what you will, but I'm a daddy's girl.