Twelve Moments in the Life of the Artist Summary and Analysis

In this essay, Sedaris discusses twelve key moments that shaped his life as an artist.

Moment One: Sedaris is inspired to become an artist when he sees how his sister Gretchen is showered with praise for her drawings and paintings. When Gretchen's skills are recognized by her teachers, both Mr. and Mrs. Sedaris take credit for her inborn abilities.

Mrs. Sedaris claims that she had a talent for drawing and sculpture as a child. She is also known for drawing a particular cartoon woodpecker to entertain her children.

Unlike his wife, Lou Sedaris decides his talents are latent and takes up painting to prove his artistic skill. He paints New York streetscapes and mimics the works of artists like Renoir with great aptitude. After proving his talent...