Just out of art school, I showed my portfolio to an art director at a large ad agency in Chicago. I stood by as he carefully went through my work, piece by piece, and page by page. Then, and this was the kicker, he turned to me and said, “Paint me a bar of soap. Make that bar of soap look like the most wonderful bar of soap that ever existed. Make it so enticing you’ll want to run right out and purchase that bar of soap.” Pausing for effect, he added, “This is what we’re looking for.”
I nodded, thanked the man, and went on my merry, albeit, oblivious way.
Earlier this week I found inspiration in a freshly washed pair of old jeans. I tossed them on the floor and thought, “I gotta paint this!” Ever do that? Drawing and painting is, after all, storytelling pure and simple—and there was definitely a story here. These jeans had character to burn, and I couldn’t wait to get started! This painting is not perfect, but neither are the jeans. What does come through, however, is a strong sense of character and humor.
That art director back in Chicago was trying to tell me something. He probably wasn’t at all surprised by the blank stare on my face. But, I thank him just the same. Though it took me a while, I did catch on, and I am forever grateful for the lesson.
