If you'd like to do your own "reading" first, here are some questions to guide you!

When I first saw this boy, I strongly disliked him.  However, when I spent some time with him and got to know him... I had a change of heart.  Here are some questions to guide you in your reading.  I'll have a video of my reading up soon!

What's your first impression of this boy?  Does he look pleasant and friendly?

What kind of boy is this?  Rich?  Uneducated?

Where is he?  Relaxing on a beach towel?

Imagine the space around him.
What is in front of him?
What is behind him?

Why did he come here?  To meet with friends?

Hint:  Click on the images to see the full-sized versions!

Touching The Art turned one year old yesterday.  And it would not have been possible without Steve Jobs.

I remember going to an art museum for the first time with my new I-phone.  I don't think I've ever been so excited by how much a piece of technology could enhance something I loved to do.  I could google an artwork on the spot, listen to music while I wandered through the galleries, take photos, zoom in effortlessly to details on those photos, and compare a photo of an artwork from a far-off part of the museum with the artwork I was standing in front of.  The I-phone fundamentally enhanced my enjoyment of art and made many of the techniques I like to use so much easier to apply.  And I won't mention how valuable my I-pad and MacBook are to me.  I owe so much to his innovations.  However, as I was reading over the story of Steve Jobs life in a NYT article, I cringed a little.

I cringed a little when I came across an episode from when he was teenager.  One of his early projects was to help create and sell a device that would enable free long-distance calls... illegally.  That bothered me.  I didn't like that this creative genius had done something illegal.  And then, like a slap in the face, I remembered a painting, a painting that reminded me that I didn't need to cringe, that the early attempts to express creativity do often take on a messy, unconventional, rule-breaking form.  It just so happened that I filmed a video about this painting last week (see below).  I'm not cringing.  I'm inspired.  As he said during his commencement speech at Stanford, "Stay Hungry.  Stay Foolish."

I plan on it.  And during TTA's second year of life I look forward to sharing with you all the innovations that result.  Thank you Mr. Jobs.  Thank you for giving me the means and for inspiring me.