The high school years is where I began to experience my most creative awareness. I had a High School History teacher who was about 4-1/2 feet tall and spoke with a heavy Greek accent. She was notorious for throwing kids out of her room. “Getta Out!” she would yell and everyone would cringe. She was truly passionate about Art though and when she found out I could draw I could do no wrong. She commissioned me to paint her a seascape in oils. She was so thrilled when I finished it I got straight A’s in her class without doing homework or tests. She would pull me out of Homeroom to design the hall showcases, buy me candy bars and pop and talk to me for hours about the Masters. Life was goooooood.

I had an Italian Art teacher who was head of the Art Department and brought out the best in his favored few. I had him for four years of High School and finally got his attention late in my sophomore year when I started winning awards. I was second best in the class. Bob was number 1. This became competition and I pulled out all the stops to out do him in my senior year as there were 2 Scholarships involved. Bob was the hands down favorite. I began experimenting with mixed media and worked around the clock to nail the prize. When our portfolio was complete our work was submitted. The final verdict was I won both Scholarships because I was more creative. Bob only did one style to perfection and even though I wasn’t in his league, I caught the ball…and fumbled. You see, after 4 intense years I was on total burn out. I attended the Chicago Academy of Fine Art in Chicago for 2 weeks and decided to get a real job.

The years rolled by and I would dabble here and there in Art. I painted a portrait for a Television star. I was commissioned by the staff of a very popular comedian to design a project for his Christmas Gift that correlated with his recent book. I did cartoon illustrations for a specialty magazine and I was at Woodstock. Ok, I lied about Woodstock. I’m in the Guinness Book of World Records as the only baby-boomer that was a no show. Even my friends who weren’t even born yet were there!

Life goes on and through life’s trial and tribulation January 2007 saw my house and everything I own burn to the ground. I was in the fire and got a front row seat on what an electrical fire in the wall of a space heater can do. I saved my son who was sleeping on the couch recovering from a roll over accident that nearly took his life. I fumbled through the smoke until I rescued my Siberian husky pulling her out the door as the house exploded from reaching the flash point. This all happened within two weeks not to mention my 21 year old daughter suffering a stroke. Both kid are 100% fine and I found an unbelievable home in the country. I have a big basement and lots of creative frustration so I decide to paint again. If I can make a few bucks to pay my $800.00 gas bill (Yes, it’s true! Actual January reading) I’ll be happy…if not; instead of painting creatively…I’ll creatively freeze to death with brush in hand!

SKYE TAYLOR