Still life just like real life

           Painting is from the Governor French Academy permanent collection circa 1970.

           Acrylic, ink collage. 4' X 4' on paperboard.

                         "Things hidden in my head" Copyright 2013 © Ronald D. Isom, Sr.

Imprinting

“With sons and fathers, there's an inexplicable connection and imprint that your father leaves on you.” Brad Pitt

I am not  a psychologist but I play one in daily life.  Observing human behavior is a cottage industry in the world of aging.  There is no better way to observe how we have become who we are than by the observation of our children.  Observing the imprinting of our offsprings behavior gives us clues to what was meaningful and sometimes what was detrimental. I am imprinted by my mom and dads child rearing techniques; some good and some problematic. I have the perfect case study in my youngest son Lowell.  Moving to Webster Groves to be near him and my grandchildren was fortuitous in many ways.  Getting a chance to see him make his way through raising a family and developing a career is a wonderful learning experience.  I have also given thought to my other four children and they also provide examples of imprinting by my wife and I.

Small things that were not particularly traumatic seem to be imprinted, in some cases, more indelibly than major emotional events.  In my case, my fathers harsh techniques and personal emotional problems did not take root as much as his love for building and inventing.  Those traits served me well for seventy-five years.  It is also evident in my son Lowell.  I was not aware that he was observing my every move as tried to keep the family home repaired and constantly remodeling to improve our living conditions.  Observing him rehabbing houses and raise his family I can see subtle reminders of our relationship.  I often catch my self repeating one of my father’s aphorisms and it is astonishing to hear my children use the same worn out sayings.

                 "Things hidden in my head" Copyright 2013 © Ronald D. Isom, Sr.

Reflectaphors

Reflectaphors April -July 2003 80 pages. Hand drawn book. Pages from book.

                                 "Things hidden in my head" Copyright 2013 © Ronald D. Isom, Sr.

Miss Murray my first art teacher

I attended Belleville West High School from 1953 -1957.  It was the start of  an educational odyssey that ended at Belleville East High School in the spring of 1994. No one had more influence on me than my high school art teacher.  Miss Marjorie Murray was my mentor and started me on my journey.  She was a small “schoolmarm” looking women, soft spoken and intensely involved in her teaching. Her background was simple but her passion for teaching was a complex mix of small town attitude and an awareness of the world of art. She was an accomplished watercolorist and a scholarly advocate of design education. She finished her career at Belleville Area College. She established the college art department and spent many hours developing the program.  When I returned to Belleville to teach she welcomed me and became my biggest fan. She help me get hired as a art teacher and  a night school instructor at  Belleville Junior College. She passed away quietly a few years ago. No fanfare and just a faded memory to some. She lives in my soul and is forever responsible for my art teaching career. Thank you Miss Murray.