Writing/Essay/Journal
When painter Frank Big Bear was in high school, his guidance counselor asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. When he replied that he wanted to be an artist, the counselor asked, “You want to be more than that, don’t you?” What do you want to be when you grow up? How would you have responded to the counselor if he or she responded in the same way as Big Bear’s counselor? Do you feel that adults respect your goals? Has Big Bear always wanted to paint? Who is his primary audience? How is his work received?

Activity
Big Bear drives a cab to support himself and his family and does his art on the side. Before it gets painted, his art looks like road maps with street intersections close up, but like faces and objects from far away. Create your own piece of art that looks like a roadmap close up, but looks like something else from farther away.