Sand Art is Garbage
One of my first “real” jobs was doing portraits at a former local amusement park in Ohio called Geauga Lake. I was 16 years old, I had my driver’s license, and I worked there for two summers.
During my first summer at Geauga Lake, I drew side view portraits colored with chalk and pastels. The one shown on the right, although not one of mine, is an example of what I would do. The job was through Kaman’s Art Shops, which still exists and still provides most of the art-related booths at amusement parks throughout the country.
The next summer, I didn’t get the same job, unfortunately.
I was originally hired to work at SeaWorld that summer, which was across the small lake from Geauga Lake. I was in charge of the sand art booth, and I absolutely hated it because I wasn’t the one doing the art; the customers were. And let’s face it, that wasn’t art! (Okay, some people could do cool stuff with sand, but your average person did not have that kind of talent!) I made a fuss, and they moved me back to Geauga Lake to learn airbrushing. They taught me how to airbrush license plates and T-shirts. Sometimes I would do artwork on a foam-type material, which was similar to a foamboard poster.
Working at an amusement park was a lot of fun and made for really great people-watching. I would see a lot of people dressed the same, like a couple, or a whole family. That always baffled me. I couldn’t imagine doing that!
Our work parties were at the amusement park. Does it get any better than that?! It was just for the employees, and we could ride the roller coasters over and over again without waiting in crazy summertime lines. It was pretty awesome! That’s when I tested out which was the best seat on the Raging Wolf Bobs, a wooden roller coaster. (For those who need to know, it was the last seat!)
When I was working at the portrait booth that first summer, I had to learn how to make a sale. I would have to speak to people passing by and ask if they wanted a portrait done. I was so shy and introverted, I was really not great at reeling people in. It’s interesting to look back on that experience, because now, with my web design company, all I do is sales! I’ve grown so much since then, after decades of life experiences, as well as wisely hiring an excellent business coach, and I feel that I’m much better AND much more comfortable at sales now. Though I have to admit, it is not my favorite thing to do.
As time went by, I continued to work with both pastels and airbrushing. Below are a few old photos from my airbrushing days.
I feel so fortunate that my talents enabled me to do what I loved to do when I went out into the world to earn money as a teenager.
What was your first “real” job?
Janis Joplin
Airbrushed Tee
Circa 1995
Jimi Hendrix
Airbrushed Tee
Circa 1995
Nose Still Life
Pastels
Circa 1996