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The Sketchbook Stories
Reflections on creativity, curiosity, the artist’s journey, and the sketchbook.
Written by: Lindsay Agnew
What Happens When a 6-Year-Old Crashes an Adult Art Class
A story about trusting your imagination before the rules ever show up.
7/29/20252 min read
Your “firsts” tend to stick with you—whether they mark a milestone, a triumph, a lesson, or a moment that opens your eyes to something you never imagined before.
I still remember my first oil painting class at just six years old. It took place in an artist’s basement studio—a space filled with adults, paintbrushes, and the rich scent of oil paints. Her home was lined with original masterpieces on every wall. My mom brought me, hoping I could begin lessons, even though the teacher typically didn’t accept students under 12. But that day, she decided to give me a chance.
After my mom left, I suddenly found myself in a room full of grown-ups, all quietly painting. I remember thinking, Wow... other people paint too? It felt like its own secret club.
The teacher handed me a scrap piece of wood and showed me how to paint one Veronica Speedwell flower.
I didn’t even have a proper brush—just my hands, a chunk of wood, and a set of vibrant paints she’d placed on a palette. She then said, “Paint one flower.”
So naturally… I painted six.
In under six minutes.
Without even using a brush.
I used my fingerprints instead—dipping them directly into the paint, dotting the surface, and blending the colors together. I was having the time of my life.
When the teacher returned to check on me, she looked at the flower-filled painting, stunned. “Well… now how are we going to fit in all the stems and leaves? I was only expecting one flower!”
What she expected wasn’t what she got—and that’s exactly what happens when you let creativity bloom freely.
But for me? I was just a little girl overflowing with imagination. I wasn’t trying to get it “right.” I wasn’t waiting for permission. I was just doing what felt fun and true.
When my mom picked me up after class and asked the teacher how it went, the art teacher said, “Lindsay can come back any time.” And so I did—until I graduated from high school.
That day, I learned something I still believe today: Creativity doesn’t wait for permission. It just shows up. It plays. It colors outside the lines and asks, What if?
From the little artist within me to the creative I am today, I bring that same spirit into every illustration, design, and story I create. I still follow my curiosity. I still trust my instincts. And I still believe the best ideas happen when you’re not afraid to do things a little differently.
So here’s your reminder for today:
Don’t wait to be told what’s possible. Imagine it first. Then just create it.
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