Monday, August 15, 2011

School days

This time of year always makes me nostalgic for the good old days, when we had to walk to school, and carry all our books in our arms (because backpacks hadn't been invented yet), and dinosaurs roamed the earth.

These are some of my old school supplies who've survived decades in various drawers and bins. I can't help wondering what remains of some 3rd grade math problem or 7th grade spelling assignment are still clinging to these.














The acquisition of that art gum eraser signified my upgrade to being a 'real artist'.
I know I also had colored pencils like that last "peely" eraser. Does anyone else remember those?

** These are now all for sale in my etsy shop - both the originals, and prints. They're all ACEO size  2.5 x 3.5 inches.

13 comments:

Liesl said...

Great drawings! I kept a few special items from my school days too, wish I had kept some pencils though.

Teresa Mallen said...

Wonderful drawings Paula! Yes, backpacks would have been nice. Of course we didn't have to carry laptops and cell phones as well as our books. iPods would have been handy to toss at the charging dinosaurs... :-)

Dianne said...

I remember, I remember! I had a typing eraser that peeled like that too. Do I need to define "typing" for anyone?

Kendra said...

Really fun drawings! I recall using the colored pencils that peeled when I was in art school. Were they the same ones called China Markers? I always loved my pencils and erasers!

Sarah Melling said...

Oh, I adore these! These kinds of items are so hardwired into our memory banks, and you've created such loving portraits that they almost seem alive...hmmm, I think maybe you should draw them on some kind of adventure...

The Pink Pearl brought to mind Lisa Congdon's photo of a collection of vintage erasers. Her work communicates a similar affection for these classic items.
http://www.20x200.com/art/2011/01/day-1-vintage-erasers.html

Anonymous said...

I too have many art supplies from my childhood. I have a No. 12 round watercolor brush my father bought me 56 years ago. I can't imagine what he paid for it back then. Your erasers and pencils truly bring back memories.

Jenn Falcon said...

These are fun. :-) Do you remember peeling elmers glue off your fingers? Most of the kids I teach now don't want to touch it and spread it on the paper. They only want to use glue sticks.

black bear cabin said...

hahaha...those supplies totally took me back, and i have to agree...i felt like a true artist when i finally purchased those erasers too :)
i definitely remember those twist to expose pencils...they broke a lot if i remember correctly. I also remember being excited when i had graduated up to the regular #2 yellow pencils, instead of those fat navy colored ones for little hands. My daughter starts kindergarten on Monday, and i have been rather nostalgic while shopping for her school supplies...what fun! and excellent sketches of course ~

Ester DurĂ£es said...

Hi!
I'm giving away a tin of 24 Derwent's Coloursoft coloured pencils on my blog! http://drawingdreaming.blogspot.com/2011/08/giveaway-win-tin-of-24-derwents.html
Thought you may be interested :)
xx,
Ester

Connie McLennan said...

Love the used-up little pencil and it's grubby eraser.

Connie McLennan said...

Correction: "its". Because I can't tolerate grammatical ignorance.

Vicki Greene said...

Simple things make terrific paintings and you have done them so well. Brings good memories - thanks!

Susie Tenzer said...

love these, Paula! I saw you on Etsy & followed you here.