Tonight I was at my Dad's house. I went into his study and saw a picture hanging from his wall. It was one of my first pastel drawings. I noticed a box on the floor and it had two other framed works of mine, one a pencil drawing and another one of my first water colors.
I looked at the date written on the watercolor painting and it was exactly 20 years ago that I painted that panda. That means I was only 9 years old when I created that pastel drawing and watercolor painting. For being 9 years old it's pretty good. It's amazing how I've grown and all the things that can happen in 20 years. Mark Twain said, "
Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do." To look back on work I did 20 years ago, I just can't get over that time has flown by so fast, and that I was once so young. Mr. Twain's quote is so true, and I am so grateful to my parents for recognizing some sort of talent at such a young age and getting me into those art classes early on. I'm so grateful.
I hope that 20 years from now I can look back at work from this year and again be grateful for decisions made and not be disappointed in what I didn't do, but rather filled with gratitude for making the most of every day, every talent, and every opportunity.
James Ramos early artwork at age 9
