I became interested in painting in grade school. At first I worked with crayons, but shortly became interested in colored pencils. Eventually my parents gave me a paint-by-number set. These were just gaining popularity at that time. The oil paints came in cellulose capsules - just like vitamin pills - with just enough color to cover the designated area. It was an elaborate coloring book with many small areas to paint. I really didn't care much for the result ... but I liked the smell of oil paint and linseed oil! Soon I asked my parents for real paints. These came from a large modern Woolworth store, the only one I knew that carried art supplies. I was fascinated by the multi-colored tubes of paint, bottles of paint thinner and painting oils, brushes, and even the smell of canvas. I loved to linger there and imagine what it would be like to be a real artist and be able to buy whatever I wanted.
I began to take painting lessons from the artist who supplemented his income by working as a sales person in the art supply section of the store. Each Tuesday I would go to a transient hotel where he stayed and up a steep and dark flight of stairs to his small room. There I would paint for 90 minutes. Each lesson cost three dollars. Although I subsequently took an informal series of lessons at a local art institute, almost all that I know about technique and the purpose of painting I learned from this man.
I continued painting for several years after this teacher mysteriously disappeared; however, my interest began to wane and was rather suddenly supplanted by mathematics. I put all my energy into learning about mathematics and decided to go to college to pursue an advanced degree. It is well-known that a mathematician's best work is usually done while he is young, so I put aside my art, intending to take it up later in life. Well, that time has arrived and I again want to take up painting as a primary interest. I have no significant exhibition history, no art resume. I am starting from scratch with only the framework given to me by my teacher and what I have been able to informally learn during the intervening years. My watercolor gallery consists of paintings done over a time span of twenty or more years.