This happy pic of me was drawn by a young artist friend of ours.  I met this kid when he was about 7 or 8. He knew we were artists and when we visited his folks we would go through his sketchbooks amazed at the work he did.  His aunt gave him big piles of paper from work ,so he practiced continuously. Over the years he eventually worked for us for awhile making whistles so he could buy a 4 10 shotgun.  He wasn't a clay head, and like most artists he had his own idea sbout what he wanted to do with his talents.   Well he has been quite successful in his own quiet way, he has done murals, and has pretty much taught himself to paint. This kid has been an inspiration to me over the years, and I have collected some paintings,but I am so pleased to have this portrait, and he made one of Paul too.   A nice set, we thought, for Lily to take to college with her, to hang in her dorm rom. Ha Ha!    Yesterday the internet was down here, so my whiny blog did not get in, and I'm glad about that. I got rejected grom the Book I tried to get into, "500 Animals in Clay."  I had just known that this book was made for me. I have spent all my life perfecting my animal sculpting techniques. All three entries declined.  This is the life of the  Artist, at least that is what they tell you.t. Each rejection makes you stronger. When a door is closed, another is opened........that gets pretty old after 30 years.  My young artist friend was  wise not to  enter into this madness.  He lives in a cabin in the woods and mostly paints houses for a living.  You are never too old to learn from smeone....It's about balance with art like everything else in life.  For me it's hard to separate, art from life because it is so much a part of my life.  Well I'm off for the day!