Wheeler Gaspard (Stuggling Artist)

Enter Wheeler Gaspard. While always considered mysterious with his very hickish first name and last name reminiscent of a French portrait artist grew more mysterious with age. From his humble beginnings growing up in rural Payette, Idaho, he became involved with melting and casting lead toy soldiers. This of course led to what would be his ultimate passion in life - painting. While he no longer paints toy soldiers, he does maintain the largest collection of lead toy soldiers in the lower 48. His hometown of Payette hosts a fundraiser each year for the local organization "Students Just Want to Paint" which gives the winner, not only a chance to met this famous artist but also twelve one-hour lessons spanning over the ensuing year. The winners are free to use them willingly as long as it fits into the often hectic daily schedule of Wheeler.

Unfortunately for Wheeler, while the above story sounds very impressive and complimentary of his talents, the praise and glory stops at the borders of his small town of Payette. Growing up, his family encouraged his art but were never quite able to get him out of the house. His lack of integration into everyday society left him with the inability to socialize and empathize with others, a key characteristic in building long lasting relationships. He was for all practical purposes a hermit, although his family dare not call him such.

On the heals of his artistic endevours he chose to amplify his exposure to the arts by relocating to Paris, France after high school. This was a key turning point in Wheeler's life story as he was then introduced to very famous artists whose skills rivaled those of famous artists who had preceded them in life - the likes of Michealangelo and Pablo Picasso. From this group, he learned one thing. And that was, outside the United States and more appropriately his small town of Payette, Idaho, he was incompetent as an artist. Struggling to cope with his failure to impress his new acquaintences, he swiftly returned home where he was then hailed as the great artist with a large and respectable toy soldier collection who had perfected his craft in France.

Upon much concentration, Wheeler decided he did not care about his French experience. He decided that it was not about being great in general, but being great relative to his surroundings. He carried this mantra into his personal life by marrying one of the most beautiful girls in his small home town. Despite the fact that she was still very mediocre to the eyes, she was the best around. He framed a quote coined by him in every room of his house, which stated "Be great where you are. The outdise world often disappoints." This no doubt was meant as a way to downplay his failures abroad and allow him to live out his days as a highly admired local artist who studied art in France.

THE END