When I was a kid, the thing to do was slather bedroom walls with psychedelic posters, usually of the bands you liked.
I think some kids still do that but with varied subject matter.
I grew up with bands like Black Sabbath, led Zepplin, Blue Oyster Cult, and of course the Stones.
Although I never discovered this until I was way out of my teens,
 those posters were the begining of, or at least partially responsible for, my interest in making art.

I liked the wild colours, exaggerated line, the dynamic use of form and space and went crazy when black lights hit the market.
Experimenting with all sorts of mind altering chemicals, had become a mainstream part of our culture at that time.
When I was 15 I decided to create my first Mural, on a wall in my bedroom. The idea was to have a corner of the wall curling back with the hood of the grim reaper visible  and his skeleton hand revealed with a finger pointing at who ever came in the door.
Very dark and ominous, highlighted with fluorescent paint.
It blew my friends minds and  I saved the black light for when we were all sitting around stoned. A crazy and fun time.
I don’t think my mother liked the mural and my Dad, he just laughed.
That mural remained on that wall well after I left home at the age of 18.

I think that whole poster/mural experience  had  an influence on how I see art today.
After I created that mural I fostered a deep appreciation for original art that was crafted first hand.
Not only did I like the people that were  doing this stuff, I was excited about doing it myself. The idea that you could walk right up to an artist and buy something they made and so personal. A first hand, original piece of art, that someone made, no middle man, or printing press, right from the artist's hand.
I always meet the Artist before purchasing a piece of art because the artist is the art.  
That painter, sculptor, performance artist or even muralist is giving you a little piece of themselves and trusting you with it.
I love that and I celebrate it.
I encourage every one to seek out and befriend an artist, as it will enhance your life.
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