Portrait of James
While I was on my way to the post office today one of the neighbor girls asked if I would like her to draw my picture. I said "no, thank you" and continued on my way. As I walked I thought about it more and decided that, if she were still there and still willing when I returned, I would let her "draw my picture". Young artists deserve to be encouraged.
I was remembering one of the artists in my extended family whose artwork at nine years of age was often described as being good. Here is her self-portrait from that year:
Self portrait of a girl
When I returned there were four girls playing in the front yard at the house on the corner at the other end of our block. Our artist appeared to be the oldest of them, about 8-10 years old, and the two youngest ones I assumed to be her sisters. The fourth girl was about the same age as our artist, had slightly darker skin tone, and her facial features were different enough from the other three girls that I concluded she must be a friend of the artist.
I asked her if she was still willing to draw my picture, and she agreed to. Then her friend spoke up and said "it will cost two dollars". I said "okay, let me make sure I have two dollars" and looked in my wallet to verify. Once I was sure I could pay her fee I asked the artist whether she would prefer to draw my picture while I was wearing my hat, or if she would prefer to draw my picture with my hat off. She indicated that I could keep my hat on.
I stood on the sidewalk while she sat on the lawn with her sketch pad in her lap. I assume the halo-like ring around my head is what my hat looked like as she looked up at me. Her friend was surprised that she finished the drawing so quickly as the artist took her scissors, snipped the sheet out of the pad, and handed it to me.
She "drew my picture"
An approximation of what her model looked like
I'd say the artist made a fair attempt to capture what she saw, and I have no reason to be disappointed with her very quick sketch. I'd also say that she did, indeed, "draw my picture". I was happy to claim the art she made and pay her fee. After all, young artists deserve to be encouraged.
As I handed over the payment to the artist I saw a woman come to the front door of the house from inside and look out. I told her "Hi. I just got my portrait drawn." The artist handed one of the dollar bills to her friend. Then I turned and finished my trip home. I wondered if the artist was willing to draw just for the pleasure of it, and her friend saw an opportunity to generate some cash income as part of the process.
Much like our usual commercial interactions, no one volunteered their name to the other, nor did anyone ask for a name. We were anonymous strangers each pursuing our own interests; life is fascinating.
2026-05-20