for the family that likes to be updated on Al's art. He has an album on facebook - but not all of our family is on book. All these were drawn within the last couple months

and he can nag.
mom .... did you take pictures of my artwork yet?
mom..... did you take pictures of my artwork yet?
mom .... did you take pictures of my artwork yet?

Hey Al! I took pictures of your artwork!

His drawings are getting noticeably better. There's a big difference between what he did at 15 and what he's doing now at 16. This is probably because he's rarely without a pen/pencil and piece of paper. He draws constantly.

Now if we could just get him to apply the same sort of dedication to algebra. or physics.
Right, Al?


He's only had a couple art classes in school, and recently one four session cartooning class at the library - and has no interest in going to school for art. He doesn't want to be told how to draw or to have it change how he relays what's in his head. I've told him that he could use the techniques he learns to apply to his own art, but he's not convinced.



Ever since his upper elementary years, his teachers at conferences - every single one of them - would comment that Allan draws. A lot.
I'd tell them - trust me, you'd rather that he draw than what he'll do if you take his pencil away - because if you take his pencil away, he'll resort to toe tapping, or lip sucking, or shuffling is feet, or chewing on his shirt. These are all things that he did before he grabbed the pencil. He needs to be doing something.

And he hears everything while he's drawing. He can relay a story word for word.
As for his algebra and physics, disorganization is his main problem. It amazes me that my most OCD kid can be so disorganized with his schoolwork, but he is, and no amount of punishment, follow up, daily journals or repercussions has been able to change that.

In the end, it's up to the kid - and he knows very well that he will either reap the rewards or suffer the consequences.

He never loses his artwork though.

And they pile up quicker than I can photograph them.

I do enjoy them. I can't even draw a stick figure - so it amazes me that he pulls these out so effortlessly.
The Cactus Guy Series




