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August 25, 2005
Being a Crayola Color-Namer Always was My Back-up Plan
Somehow -- even though I was home schooled through all my growing-up years, and the legendary euphoria of new back-to-school supplies was thusly limited -- I've always associated the beginning of the school year with a new packet of markers.
Before age 5, I had already developed a fairly sophisticated evaluation and acceptance system for my drawing and writing implements. Crayons did not give me the brilliant, sopping color that my young eyes desired, so I switched my loyalties to markers accordingly. Until age 5 1/2 or 6, the wide tipped "classic color" set was adequate. Then, I discovered, promptly became wildly obsessed with, detail.
Fine tip markers did indeed solve my dilemma over fine facial features and intricate clothing patterns, but they also ushered in a new era of color use. My mom didn't only buy me classic colored fine tips -- she bought me the deluxe set. Suddenly, I had three different blues, two different greens, a light pink, a magenta, and a gray at my disposal! The entire world opened up to my mark-making and I scribbled at it eagerly. The best days were ones where layer after layer of marker rubbed off onto the flat cushion of my sweaty fist, creating a shimmering purple-green-blue-yellow-red-black bruise of ink. It was an artist's mark, and I loved it.
Every once in a while, I would be given a set of "special edition" Crayola wide tip markers. The "Easter" collection. The "Jungle" collection. The "Tropical" collection. At first, I used those designer colors with thin-lipped stinginess, wanting to make them last as long as possible. But, as my sense of color matured, I at last learned to appreciate the subtleties provided by drying-out markers. The "gray" marker really usually was too dark for coloring elephants and castles. An old black marker, that left bits of felt streaking in its wake, was much more effective. Plus, it had a built-in texture simulator.
The semester began today. I'm teaching now, and I haven't owned a good set of markers since the middle of high school. But all of a sudden I'm wondering if having a fine-tipped, deluxe-colored bouquet of markers is what I need to get this year started right.
Professorial Masquerade | By elissa | 03:48 PM
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Comments
:D
I remember coloring as a kid. Only it was not at all like the process that you just described. I was a perfectionist, and shading wasn't something that existed in my artistic vocabulary. So my drawings consisted of solidly-colored geometric shapes. I knew there was a reason I became an engineer... ; )
I hope you and the husband are doing well. Ryan is glad to be back at school, though I do admit that I'm quite jealous that you guys get to see him before I do. Ah well. Such is the life of a grown-up sibling, I suppose!
Take care, Elissa.
[becky]
Posted by: becky at August 26, 2005 02:00 PM
Loved this entry, as well as your ads for the Writing Center (where I worked one semester).
We've got several things in common. I also graduated from Covenant, and I teach writing to college freshmen out here in Kansas City. I stumbled across your blog looking for a friend's on Chattablogs. I don't think I met you at Covenant though. When did you graduate?
Posted by: Alexandra at August 27, 2005 09:17 AM
becky, we've loved having ryan back. we haven't gotten to talk to him much -- yet -- but we're so excited to hear more china stories!
alexandra, those are some funny commonalities. i graduated from covenant in '04, which is why it's particularly funny that i'm teaching basic writing to freshmen :)
Posted by: elissa at August 28, 2005 02:51 PM
