When I was a young boy, I thought of my Dad as a superman. He was a commercial artist who created the most extraordinary images. I can remember sitting next to my Dad at his drafting table, watching him work. I would watch him draw and paint for hours. Dad had work with many museums and advertising agencies. He worked at home in his studio in the basement. My brother, my sister and I would often visit him there.

At age 8, after deciding I no longer wanted to be a dinosaur when I grew up, I knew I would become an artist. I learned about art at a very young age because of my Dad. I started painting professionally at the age of 16. My first commissioned work was for a fire station.

Like my Dad, I have worked for museums and advertising agencies. I have been working as a commercial artist for over 40 years.

Mark Musy, Hayesville, Blue Ridge Mountain EMC