Customer Reviews

The Boy Who Loved to Draw: Benjamin West

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In Orbiting the Giant Hairball, the author tells how all children feel they are talented artists at age 6. By age 10, most are too inhibited to continue with art. That is a great loss to the children and to the world.

This heart-warming book is written in a way to encourage the natural interest of almost all children in exploring art. Young Benjamin West was always afraid that he will get in trouble with his artistic experiments, yet his parents and family were encouraging. These tales will help young people think that perhaps the adults in their lives will be encouraging as well. They will also appreciate that Benjamin West had many obstacles to overcome, like not having a pen to draw with, no paints, and no idea of what a paint brush was. That will help the young person realize that they should be more likely to succeed. West's evolution as an artist is also a good one for a young person. Start by drawing from life, gradually learn to add color, then meet other artists, and go on to get a art education.

As perfect as that is, it also turns out to be an accurate biographical statement of Benjamin West's life. Drawing on West's own recollections of these years and his biography, the book paints an artistically-focused picture of West's life as the 10th of 10 children. I especially loved how he discovered that he liked to draw, the way he got his first paints (from the local Native Americans and his Mother), and made his first paint brush (using hairs from his cat).

The book is also beautifully illustrated in a style to make the story inviting. I only wish that the book had included more and larger reproductions of West's work.

Be sure to share this book with the young people in your life around age 6. You may be able to help them avoid developing the misconception that they will not be able to become artists. These days there are many wonderful ways to use art as a vocation and as a hobby to bring great personal satisfaction. This book is a great way to facilitate that, and make the world a more beautiful and meaningful place.

Donald Mitchell

Coauthor of The Irresistible Growth Enterprise (available in September 2000) and The 2,000 Percent Solution

(donmitch@fastforward400.com)

This is a true story about Benjamin West, a native of Pennsylvania, who, during the colonial times, set forth to become a world famous artist. From his first pen and ink drawing at the age of seven, the author details events that lead to the rich and wonderful career this artist had. This book explains how a young Quaker boy from Lancaster County eventually became known around the world as the father of American art. A little extra humor with the cat...

I was delighted to find so many books about Benjamin West, the great American painter. While doing the regular tedious and sometimes boring genealogy work online I was amazed and nearly hysterical to find out that I am related to Benjamin West! I checked, and re-checked for 3 days before it sunk it that it was true! Then to find so much is available at Amazon so I can learn about this ancestor who lived so long ago...thank you...I can't wait to make my next purchase on Benjamin West. "The Boy Who Loved To Draw" is for my grandsons to read.

My family really enjoys this book. It is a delight to read and my children enjoy hearing it. It is funny and inspiring. No one could deny that Benjamin West desired to draw with all his heart. I also really like the fact that the book discusses his parents' concern about whether it was right for their Christian son to be pursuing drawing. And isn't the art world so glad that his parents decided what they did?