I like to think I’m something of a creative person. After all,
I write books and short stories. I stitch needlepoint and embroider. I can do
lots of things. But I can’t paint.
Every morning, I work out, come home and have a bit of
breakfast while perusing the paper. Last week in the metro section at the top
of the page, I saw an obit for Dan Robbins followed by the heading “Artist
created first paint-by-numbers pictures.”
I had to read the whole obituary to learn more about Mr. Robbins
and paint-by-numbers. He developed his idea based on an inspiration from
Leonardo da Vinci. He remembered “Leonardo used numbered background patterns
for his students and apprentices.” He decided to try that too.
His boss hated it but saw potential. Mr. Robbins created
landscapes, horses, puppies, and kitties.
Sales reached at peak at 20 million in 1955.
I remember going to the five and dime stores and seeing the
kits. I tried once. Lousy. I didn’t have a good steady hand for painting.
Nowadays, I’ve seen finished paintings at flea markets and
antique malls. Some are pretty good. I searched the internet and found many
places where one can purchase a kit. I even found a museum: https://www.paintbynumbermuseum.com/catalog-page/8565
Not long ago, I went to an event where an instructor taught a
class in how to paint a specific painting. She really broke down the elements
and I enjoyed what I’d done immensely. The most interesting thing happened
after we broke for lunch. At the back of the room, I turned and looked at the
tables topped with paintings. All were different. Just like the artists.
Were
you bitten by the “paint-by-numbers” bug?
Here's my creative bit--Just Desserts...and other stories:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Desserts-Other-Short-Stories-ebook/dp/B07CT8XC5F/
Print: https://www.amazon.com/Just-Desserts-Other-Stories-writer/dp/1718719302/ref=sr_1_28?keywords=just+desserts&qid=1554829514&s=books&sr=1-28/
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/just-desserts-and-other-short-stories-vicki-batman/1128592107?ean=2940155242031/
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/823338/
10 comments:
Love this post, Vicki. I remember trying those paint by number pictures. Every time I thought I'd be able to do a good job. Nope, never happened. Like you, I like to think I'm fairly creative, but not so much in the painting field. Fun post. I shared. :)
Hi, Marsha! I remember being so frustrated because I strayed outside the lines. When I was in second grade, we had to color a pumpkin. We turned in the picture and were graded! I got a poor grade because I went outside the line. Can you imagine grading a coloring picture? Maybe I was tainted for life. LOL
I gave up trying to paint pictures freehand in kindergarten when mine was the worst painting in the room. Later I spent some time on paint-by-numbers but gave it up when I saw the results in a trash can. Now, I just paint walls. I have completed every wall inside and out of my house in the last three years--so I do feel accomplished.
I did a lovely paint by number of a horse when I was in jr. high that I liked so much I framed it and hung it in my bedroom. If I squinted really hard to blur my vision, it almost looked like a real painting.
Oh, my gosh! I remember trying one of those too. But like you, my hand just wasn't steady enough. And freehand--forget it. I can't even draw a straight line. I used to joke that I failed art class in kindergarten. Best of luck with your book :)
Hi, Sandra! I do walls better than painting a picture, too. I would have loved to have seen your kindergarten picture. I bet it was adorable.
Hi, L D! Oh if you still have this picture, I HAVE to see it. Please post on FB and tag me. LOL I'll squint.
Hi, Barbara! I couldn't draw a straight line either. My son had a friend who drew perfectly from a very young age. His dad, an artist, worked for a large advertising firm. Wasn't so surprised. The contrast between his work and all the other Scouts--huge!
Like so many things, I wanted them to look like the illustrations by the artists but mine didn't so I gave up. It looked like a child painted it, which was true. But I'm fascinated by this man who found a career based on this passion of his.
Hi, Melissa! I thought paint by numbers would be a gateway into the art world. Not to be. I'm much better at embroidery. LOL. I find how the medium began with Da Vinci is very interesting and something I'd not heard before. I guess I should read a bit about Leo's process.
Don't you think the popularity of this speaks to those of us who didn't have true expertise but wanted to learn?
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