A lifetime drawing

A lifetime drawing. That applies in any case to me. And portraits have always been the utmost challenge.

A lifetime drawing. Self portrait at the age of 17, charcoal.
Self portrait at the age of 17. 1968.
A lifetime drawing. Portrait in pencil. Ben Lustenhouwer
Portrait of my little sister. 1975.

Long time ago at school.

Even in school when learning to write, I tried to make faces out of numbers, creating smiles in threes and fives. I could get lost in this fantasy. Soon the schoolmaster noticed my aberration: ‘Stop dreaming Bennie!’

From that time, it started to go wrong with me at school and did not get any better in the years to come. But I did not suffer much from my maladjustment because silently I knew it would all be ok with me later. That has indeed come true.

Out of my disability I have been able to make my strongest weapon. My guarantee of independence. I have been very lucky.

An interesting  book I read recently

One Reply to “A lifetime drawing”

  1. Thanks for sharing Ben. Interesting post. Love the sketch of your sister.

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