Do You Remember the First Thing You Ever Drew?
Andrea Gianchiglia 
Let’s take a little trip down memory lane. Picture yourself as a kid, sprawled out on the floor with crayons, pencils, or maybe even a handful of mark
Let’s take a little trip down memory lane. Picture yourself as a kid, sprawled out on the floor with crayons, pencils, or maybe even a handful of markers (if you were lucky enough to avoid the dreaded “only use these at the kitchen table” rule). What was the very first thing you loved to draw?
For me, it was unicorns and Pegasus creatures—majestic, magical, and always surrounded by waterfalls. I wasn’t just drawing them; I was creating entire worlds around them. I gave them stories, names, and adventures, all playing out in my sketchbooks (or, more accurately, on the carbon paper I swiped from my mom’s office).
That’s right—while other kids might have been playing outside, I was sitting at my mom’s workplace on days off from school, writing and illustrating my own books on carbon paper so I could make instant copies. My mom’s coworkers were my first “readers,” and I loved handing them my freshly made stories. But my mom? She always wanted the original. (A true art collector at heart!)
From Carbon Paper to Canvas
Looking back, it’s funny how life works out. I always loved storytelling and drawing animals, and while I never became a full-time book illustrator, my childhood love for art never left me. Fast forward to today, and I’m a pet portrait artist and art instructor. My major in illustration gave me the foundation, but even though I’m not in traditional illustration work, I still use everything I learned—from techniques to marketing skills to the creative framework I apply to my business.
The best part? That same joy I felt drawing unicorns by waterfalls still fuels me today when I create. I truly believe that those childhood drawings were little glimpses of where I was meant to go.
What About You?
So, I’d love to hear—what was the first thing YOU ever loved to draw? Maybe it was horses, superheroes, stick figures (hey, no shame—we all started somewhere!), or something totally unique. Does that love still show up in your art today? Drop a comment and let’s reminisce together!
And if you’re looking to rekindle that childhood creative spark, come hang out in my Creative Journey Membership, where we embrace art with the same enthusiasm we had as kids—minus the carbon paper (unless you’re into that, in which case, let’s talk!).