by Bayla Maya

Created on: January 01, 2008

"An Artists Dream"

Wouldn't it be wonderful to have a childhood dream come true? As children some of us imagine what it would be like to be an actor, author, or musician. Others may have the desire to be in the medical or law field. My vision was to become an artist. I've been holding onto this dream for 44 years and last year it finally came true. Oh, of course if you draw, paint, sculpt, or no matter what creative media used you are considered an artist. However, you aren't truly an artist, until you are accepted to that first show in a gallery in some "artsy" community. I have spent my whole life perfecting my art skills in hope that someday I would be acknowledged as an artist by the "art world".

My journey into the world of art started back in 1959, when I was born "holding a crayon in my hand," at least this is what my parents said. For the first eight years or so, I became rather proficient at using crayons never putting them down to play. My mother thought it was great that I kept myself so entertained, not having to stop doing her housework and amuse me. I don't think she appreciated how the crayons were helping my artistic abilities to blossom. By the time I was nine, we moved to Long Island, where I discovered the medium of ink.

I remember that weekend so well, when my cousin, Denise came to visit and brought a set of colored markers for me to use. The markers were my first introduction to using ink for drawing. Using markers helped me discover the world of "pop art". Of course, it didn't hurt seeing the Peter Max posters in the Sunday magazine section of Newsday. It was a challenge to sit for long lengths of time, and try to copy one of his posters, "inch by inch". That is when I discovered what Peter's secret was. Peter Max was able to use both hands at the same time to draw mirror images. I sadly, could not master that capability, and found I really liked to use ink as a medium to draw with.

My High School art teacher taught me how to use a quill pen and India ink. I fell in love with this method right away, and threw away my colored markers. For many years I drew in just black and white trying to perfect my style. Eventually, I discovered disposable art pens that came with all different size nibs, and were easier to maintain then the quill and India ink. Using the new pens, I perfected my art even more, learning how to make my lines appear as textures which you could almost feel. I was still finding my artwork lacking something, "what?" I was unsure. By this time I was an adult working with children of "special needs". One of the young children I worked with would only color with a black crayon. Well, it was my job to expose him to a "rainbow" of new colors, at that moment I discovered what was missing in my own artistic creations. Yes, "color," shortly after I discovered watercolors, and watercolor pencils, which is the combined medium I use today.

With watercolor pencils in hand, I created a picture to help promote peace. The subject seemed so appropriate, due to the events that were occurring around the world. It was this artwork I entered into a show at a gallery in the Chelsea Art District of New York City last summer. To my surprise it was accepted to the show. Not only did my art sit "side by side" with some well known artists from that area; it was also purchased even though it had a "Not for Sale" price tag. My childhood dream was truly fulfilled; I was finally accepted as an artist by the "art world".

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