1955 (approx.) - His mother and father are divorced.

1958 - Artist purchases "Race to the Moon #3" comic book, with art by Jack Kirby. This becomes a significant artistic event in his life. In 1998, artist re-purchases a copy of this issue at a cost of $60, and re-reads it. Although he is impressed by the sentimental value of the comic, he states that he "remembers it differently."

1959 - Artist enters St. Elizabeth Seton kindergarten. He is informed in an art class that "brown and black don't go together." This is the second significant artistic event in
his life.

1961 - Artist enters Immaculate Heart Academy, a private Catholic school in Tucson (now renovated as loft condominiums.) Spends free time copying comic book panels and Virgil Finlay illustrations from his uncle's sci-fi pulps.

1968 - The artist graduates from the Academy, and, in the fall, enters Salpointe High School (now Salpointe Catholic High School.)

1970 - reads "Moby Dick" and "Brothers Karamazov."

1971 - The artist is radicalized by left-wing anti-war sentiment.

1972 - The artist takes on the role of co-editor of the "Crusader" with Maureen King. His significant influences at this time are Rimbaud, Kerouac and "Zap Comix". He takes his first formal art course, looking for an easy "A". His art teacher suggests that he try for an art scholarship. He graduates with honors, and the newspaper is awared the "Pacemaker" award as one of the top five high-school newspapers in the nation. He receives scholarships to both Arizona State University and the University of Arizona.

1973 - The artist moves to Phoenix, with thoughts of attending ASU. Soon after arriving, he decides to stay out of college for a year, preferring to travel and make art. He is befriended by Chuck Balz, a Phoenix artist.

1974 - He returns to Tucson. He eventually moves into a 100+ year old adobe house in the Barrio at 499 S. Meyer, within walking distance of Immaculate Heart Academy. He sets up his studio in the main room of the house, and begins classes at the University of Arizona. He studies with Bruce McGrew, John Wenger, and Jim Cook.

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©Stephen Michael Barnes 2005