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In
response to my contest submission drawing about “Grandfather Frost”, the Polish
Radio Editor, M. Radziwiłł, sent me a postcard dated January 29, 1953. “Drogi
Olku! Dziękujemy za rysunek przedstawiający Dziadka Mroza, ale szkoda, że nie
narysowałeś go zupełnie samodzielnie, napewno byłby ciekawszy. Interesują nas
tylko własnoręczne prace dzieci, wykonane bez pomocy wzoru, kalki, linijki, lub
kogoś...z dorosłych.” He wrote, (“Dear Olek! We thank you for your drawing
representing Grandfather Frost, its a pity, that you didn’t draw it all by
yourself, it would certainly be more interesting. We are interested only in hand
made works by children, executed without the help of a pattern, carbon paper,
ruler, or someone...from the adults.”) No one helped me with the drawing.
Perhaps a clumsier effort would have garnered me accolades rather than
rejection.
 The works in this
section show the early development of my art. My lack of English when we first
arrived was partly ameliorated by my ability to communicate through art. Alan
Wallie, my early mentor, helped me learn through a mixture of honest criticism
and strong encouragement. Together with my friend, Harvey Segal, I was named
“Best Artist” of my graduating class at Von Steuben High School in Chicago.
On revisiting these images, I see that the nucleus of my current thoughts and
gestures has been present since those early years. My thanks to my parents for
keeping my art through the years. Other works that I gave to family, friends and
girls I had a crush on, are missing. If anyone viewing this collection has my
work from that time, please send me a digital image so that I can add it to this
page.
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