Have you ever wondered if you were meant to be who we are;
painters, pinstripers, body man, welders, fabricators, racers?
Here is the story of how one artist went from “Mess Maker to Master.”

Master Artist Bob Petillo recalls the day it all began ... “A few weeks ago, my brother Vic and I were passing through the old neighborhood and pulled into the summer recreation site ... and there it was, locked in time. I couldn’t believe I was looking at the tiny arts and crafts building. I took this picture and then remembered an overwhelming feeling. All that summer of ‘54, literally on the outside looking in, wanting more than anything to be a part of it, in fact, just aching to PAINT. That feeling stuck with me and was most likely responsible for the 32 years I spent as an art teacher and 50 years as an artist ... in spite of everything.” THANKS, COACH!

The Story . . .

The Lincoln Avenue School gym teacher in charge of a summer arts and crafts session in Orange, New Jersey was very upset with one of his students the first day of class, right off the bat. The student was little Bobby Petillo. When Bobby’s mother returned to pick up her little boy at the playground behind their apartment on S. Day St., she was told that Bobby had made such a mess, he was not welcome back, ever; and neither was his bedazzled little cousin Louie!

Now Rose Petillo was amazed. There stood little Bobby Petillo before them still looking at the array of colors that he had magically created. The colors happened to be dabbed spot after spot over every inch of Bob’s little body.

continues