Jim Tauber
Artist has never been an identity with which I have related or identified. I have dabbled for fun throughout my life and have been amused by the primitive/juvenile pieces I have created. I still take a piece of red construction paper, fold it down the middle, and attempt to cut half a heart as the basis for my Valentine to my wife every year. They always look strikingly similar to those created in first grade at North School in the suburbs outside Chicago. I have hand sewn stuffed animals for each of my three daughters, wondering if they each may recognize the animal intended. No matter, I have still found joy in making and giving them, and they seemed so very amused and appreciative.
The painting here of baby Moses in the bullrush was an assignment at religious school at North Shore Congregation in Mrs. Esserman’s ( I think) 2nd grade class for an art competition. I was not the type to enter an art competition or to follow directions, stay within the lines, or complete assignments,. But, in this case my mother dropped me at the house of her good friend, Beryl Michaels, mother of fellow classmate Debbie Michaels, for Beryl to oversee a group of four of us complete the assignment.
Beryl had set up four tables, each equipped with a single poster board, a brush and a selection of primary color tempera paints. She was a lovely woman with a rather big personality, but little judgment. She was an art lover and a hobby painter. I was neither. Once each 2nd grader had chosen the subject of of our paintings, she glided among us making gentle suggestions or simply offering encouragement. I remember her advice that we pencil our drawings first and then go back and paint with our selected colors.
My piece held up well as a prime example of Jimmy Tauber 1950s primitive, naive art and it I hang it proudly in my home today. I say “proudly” because I am so amused at its simplicity and lack of skill. My daughters are all quite skilled as artists, although art is not their chosen pursuit. Seeing my rendition of the baby Moses always brings a big smile to their faces. For this reason alone I am glad that I have held on to my masterpiece for almost 65 years.
