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"The Art Lesson" is about a young artist who really dislikes his Kindergarten art curriculum (at least, this is what I recall).

The teacher insists that all kids make cut-out turkeys in one specific way--or something like this--and young Tomie ("Tommy") rebels. He has to follow his inner voice. He has a vision of a turkey, and it's not like anyone else's turkey.

I like to think that the title, "The Art Lesson," is double-edged. Tomie is submitting to a lesson, on the surface, but really Tomie is *giving* the lesson. Tomie is teaching the teacher something important about art.

That's how I read it. I continue to miss this guy.


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