T.J. Artist

T.J. is seven years old and in first grade. He has been interested in drawing since he was 18 months old. His first experiences were in church where his aunt would “keep him quiet” by drawing with him. He began to take a spiral notebook and pen every where with him. He was and is particular about the pen always prefering the more expensive ones.

He seemed to go through phases with his drawing in that he draws whatever is of interest to him at the time over and over. We joke about his first phase “Vacuum Cleaners”. He loved them! We would have to go down the vac aisle at Wal Mart on every visit to look at, compare, and comment on each vac displayed. In every home we visited he would ask if they had a vac and ask to see it. Friends thought this was an unusual request and would pull theirs out for inspection.

Then, the next phase at 2 years old threw his protective, “God fearing” parents for a loop. It was the “Tina Turner” phase. Where did he even see her? He was not exposed to TV! His parents did not take him to her concert! It seems he did glimpse her on stage singing while dad was “doing homework”? on the computer for his college courses one evening. Sure! Anyway, the Tina Turner phase was born, “bushy tail hair” (T.J.’s words), spotlight, microphone, heels, jewelry and all.