It was only when I got to high school and was in the art program that my artistic talent was recognized. The art program was directed by a wonderful and a very important person in my life - Charlotte Ranger, who was referred to as Mrs. Ranger. She had been teaching in the school for many years.

I developed friends in the community that were in walking distance or a bicycle ride away, so that I socialized and did a lot of things that children do in their early years.

I think I was really naïve. I had no context to think about what I wanted to do. Each step was a next stage of exploration.

Charles Burchfield was exceptional. As such an accomplished artist, he had limited previous association with academia and teaching.

Many people look but they do not see.

Going back to the elementary school days, I was always drawing. I entered a Victory poster competition and won the top award that recognized my artistic instincts.

Stop making sense. Logic is predictable. Think differently.