First Impressions of Art

In trying to discover where I ever developed a curiosity for art, I need to start from the beginning. I received my first painting as a newborn from my brother, Michael James Joyce. Later on in life, I came to wonder if it was just a coincidence that his middle name is James and that he was my first "portrait of an artist", not as a young man but as a young woman. He painted me a picture before I even knew what paints were and when I looked in my baby book as a child, I knew that he was a true artist. Not only did he go out of his way to paint an elaborate piece, but it was incredible for a young boy of five. I don't have the picture with me at this time, but its impact remains. Michael went on to draw. He drew what looked like Dungeons and Dragons figurines and painted them, too. The detail of colour and texture always drew me in. I would often go through his work when he was not around, making sure not to leave any traces of a snoop. Really, I just admired his genius. When he got to be in his teens, for whatever reason - perhaps to attract young women - he started drawing Disney characters and a variety of animations. Venturing into adulthood and through his ventures into different arts schools (KSA, Capilano, Emily Carr, and UCC), Michael developed into a brilliant artist. Of course, my understanding of his work also developed as I grew up with his works. By the time I was in first year university, he was painting his life. I am not sure if he had always been painting his life, but it was at this time that I could really see his life in his art. We lived together that year. He spent all hours in his studio while I would meet him for breaks in between my first year intro course studies at UCC. I watched his brush strokes, listened to the music that inspired him: mostly Radiohead and The Hip. In 2000/2001, Michael and I became friends. I think that my appreciation and meaning of art would not have been shaped without my brother Michael's genius.