I wanted to discuss Warrior’s art today and how amazing all artists are to me. From drawing to sketching, painting and sculpting, it impresses me all the time. I was spellbound the first time witnessing Warrior make his logo as it was not the way I’d drawn it at all! What a natural talent being able to create something that impacts so many and yet is so simple. I always loved his jackets and the comic book art, not to forget his love of color. My daughter is great at art too- another Gemini trait!
As a child, I must say that art didn’t agree with me. That’s putting it mildly. I realize in school that free art is rarely considered but those “cookie cutter” projects just weren’t for me. My elementary teacher terrified me to the point of faking stomachaches sometimes so I’d stay home from school on art day. I could fool my Mom a little. Am sure the teacher was following a curriculum but your personality still makes a difference, especially to an aspiring child.
If I had to do one more block paper project, I’d scream in class! Let’s not forget all the reprimanding for lack of “perfection.” So glad those days are behind me but the memories always remain. With my children, it’s quite a different story. My eyes well with tears when seeing their art and even those of the kids enrolled in my old elementary school. My kids attend PSR there so I have seen much artwork over the years displayed on the walls. Remember my 7th grade classroom What A Rush story or even The Warrior Book Dream? Those are archived but yep, that’s the school.
I did have to take art in high school as a freshman but so wish now I had taken more. It was very different than anything I ever did before and so much more variety with media. I also did many projects over my years as a preschool teacher and yes, some were “cookie cutter.” I scoffed sometimes but we did have those free art days too. Couldn’t wait to explore all this with my own kids someday. I still have some of their little creations hanging on the attic wall (: My confidence blossomed being able to create and make with the kids while not having a teacher breathing down my neck…
That harbors the question of : “Would I have wanted Warrior as an art teacher?” Yes, he mostly did self-portraits (like all the greats, hehe) and famous men in history but would he ever have been able to teach to let’s say… kids? He was a perfectionist in his own art so that might’ve come out in kids, who knows? If he would’ve approached it the way he did fitness, I’d be in trouble! If he was my high school art teacher— um…. I’d be WAY too distracted or ask for extra help, lol!! 😉Art II was self-portraits!!
All kidding aside, whether one likes his artwork or not and just like his performances as a wrestler, he brought a talent that deserves respect. There will always be those naysayers but we need to appreciate the natural abilities all of us have. Even though art frustrated me as a child, I never quit trying. Just like math thru school. It bothered me that I never could get it “just right” when it shouldn’t be that way. Yes, if you’re making a dog it shouldn’t look like a butterfly but am sure you know what I mean!
I detail a chapter in my book Spirit and Belief called “Creativity is Endless” but I mention how art is just one aspect of being creative. Teachers should look for many other forms of expression from kids that encompasses an art curriculum. My cousin is an elementary art teacher and pursued her passion. The kids love her. I have never read anything about Warrior’s natural artistic talent as a child or even later on in life but perhaps he was self-taught. After all, he epitomized that the best.
I am humbled at all artists talent but really we can be any type of artist we want. It is your interpretation of what fits in your LIFE as part of Warrior’s quote above. I hope you can have appreciation for something in a way like art has been for me. I respect Warrior’s art, my own, my kids, and all artists for doing their own LIFE! ✏️🖍🖌✂️🎨🖊
P.S. ~~~ Can’t wait to share a video about Spirit and Belief made by my friend soon!
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