This sketch brings up so many fun memories. It was my first attempt at a sketch at 17 years old. My art teacher asked us to copy a photo from a magazine. I found this photo from National Geographic and it spoke to me. I loved all the emotion and texture. So I drew it.

My art teacher was very impressed. At my parents very first back to school night he held it above his head and announced that the reason he loved his job was that occasionally he stumbled upon amazing artists. He held up my sketch and announced that this was his student's first attempt at a drawing. Everyone gasped (at least that's how my parents described it) and he announced the artist's name, to which my parents were very surprised. It was a very special evening for me and my first inkling that I had something a little special going on.