Story by Howard Bullard

Artistic Hands of Faith

I was born in Los Angeles, California to wonderful parents. My mother was the oldest of 15 children, an aspiring artist, but never achieved her goals because she had to take care of her brothers and sisters. My father was a master carpenter and had artistic skills in building. Between the both of them I was given the artistic talent and a gift from God to be able to draw and paint as an “unschooled” artist. I have never taken art classes because I could never afford them.

I joined the U.S. Navy at 17 and spent the next 4 years of my life traveling overseas and working on the naval base the last two years on the West Coast. Shortly after my Navy stint, I found the woman of my dreams and married at 21 years of age and we have 5 children, 19 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren.

By now you know I am an older man who still draws and paints in the kitchen area of my home. I have been a self taught artist all my adult life, but never had a studio or permanent area in my home to draw and paint.

Now that I am retired I am painting more, but now realize I don’t know what I’m doing and I need lessons. It seems as time is running out and I’m doing what I can to learn. I watch videos, and tv programs, but I’m not satisfied with what I see. I love the Old Masters style and realism. I often get discouraged when I try to draw or paint something that I see or photograph and I don’t know where to begin and I cannot paint what is in my thoughts and what I see in my imaginations.

I would love to have an opportunity to get a free scholarship to study classic drawing and painting. I know you would be proud to see what I can do and accomplish.

THE PHOTO I AM SUBMITTING IS A “PAINTING” I DID OVER 20 YEARS AGO, AFTER DALI’S CRUCIFIXION. IT IS APPROXIMATELY 4’X 6′ AND DONE IS CRAYOLA ON UNBLEACHED MUSLIN. A TECHNIQUE MY MOTHER TAUGHT ME WHEN I WAS A CHILD.

I have spent my entire life working for others and now it seems that its time for me to continue to develop my talent and gifts with art. This offer that you have is wonderful and if I can qualify to get the opportunity to study with the Drawing Academy I would be truly grateful.

Thank you,

Howard Bullard