December 01, 2014

Where Did Art Start For You? - Adrian Walker, Visual Artist

In the days leading up to GivingTuesday on December 2, 2014, we are sharing stories from artists in the ArtStarts community. We asked them, "Where did art start for you?" It's a question that asks us to reflect on our own lives in order to see where along our journey our passion for the arts was sparked.

What is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday is a movement for giving and volunteering that takes place this year on December 2, 2014. Taking place each year right after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GivingTuesday is proof that the holiday season can be about both giving and giving back. GivingTuesday is the perfect time for the world to come together and show how powerful humanity can be when we unite to give on one day.

How YOU Can Help

ArtStarts fosters creative experiences for young people. Your support can spark the start of something special.

• Share your own story at artstarts.com/you
• Donate today or on December 2, 2014 to help ArtStarts bring creativity into young lives across BC!

Double Your Impact on Dec 2 with Interac Online

Choose Interac Online when you donate here on December 2, 2014 and Interac will match up to your donation, up to $25. Your $25 donation becomes $50! Click here to donate via Canada Helps on December 2, 2014—and remember to select Interac Online as your payment method.

Read photographer Adrian Walker's story below and share your own story at artstarts.com/you

Where did art start for you?

It started in grade 2 and ten years later in grade 12.

In grade 2, I remember I had an assignment to do based on a children’s book…I think the book was from the Big Red series by Jim Kjelgaard. I remember writing something pretty rudimentary about the story but the part of the project that got me completely jazzed was when I illustrated my writing with drawings I made in coloured pencil crayon. When I started to draw the Irish setter confronting wolves I realized in one of those ‘ah-ha’ moments, hey I can do this. My drawings were, I thought, pretty good. My parents encouraged me throughout the assignment. In the end I remember my teacher telling me I had done an amazing job. She must have, because I think she kept them. At least, I have no memory of having them returned to me.

In grade 12 I took an art history course called Western Civilization. This, in a nutshell, was the deciding moment when I knew I wanted to spend my life immersed in Art. I was already making art but now I had discovered a whole new level of interest that was essentially just the tip of the iceberg. Western Civ. provided the stepping-stones that led me directly into a world of literature, philosophy and critical thinking that would become the framework for my art practice to this day.

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