“My teacher made everyone go up to the chalk board and draw a picture,” remembers illustrator Rob Wood, Beta Omega Chapter (East Tennessee State). ” I went right up to that board, paused and started to draw a hummingbird – and everyone loved it! “I really enjoyed getting the recognition.”
Unbeknownst to the senders, those comments of praise gave Wood the confidence to stick with drawing. Soon, his school projects began to showcase his renderings, and after receiving an oil painting set in high school, he began commissioning projects from his neighbors and parents’ friends: houses, portraits, scenery, etc. Then came his first big award.