James J. Briles
As a young man growing up in Jonesboro, IN, I led a Tom Sawyer kind of life, fishing, hunting squirrels, rabbits, and pheasant and dragging the quarry home for my grandmother to cook (I did the cleaning). My mother, myself and four other siblings lived with my grandparents. Through grade school, which I started at the age of five in 1945, I was thought of by teachers as mischievous (I cleaned that up) and artistically gifted (I could draw better than most). The eight and ninth grades of school were turnaround years for me as the seriousness of life started to have an impact. According to the school principal, students who didn't know what they wanted out of life would more than likely get it (nothing).
The adults in the family worked in factories and before I was out of high school I pretty much knew I didn't want to be a factory worker. But that was what I didn't want to do. The question remained, what did I want to do (or more accurately, what could I do?). Quickly, I assessed my opportunities. If not science, math, medicine or law, what? Art. I could be an artist. After all, I could draw and paint with the best of them (other students). So, that was it. I told my mother and she left the room crying (literally) saying that there was no way I could go to college. But I did.
In 1961, I made Donna Sue Satterwhite my wife, while she made me her husband. In 1962, I graduated from Ball State Teachers College (Ball State University), took a position at Sandburg Jr. High School, Elmhurst, IL, and left my sweet bride behind to finish her last year on campus. Several years and a few job changes later, in 1979 I started Emphasis Seven Communications, Inc., (www.e7ci.com) an advertising, public relations and graphic design business in Chicago, where I continue to function as president and creative director.
Now that our sons Robert and Michael are up and out, Donna and I are empty nesters. She teaches sixth graders and manages me. Together we enjoy our yacht KeeBeeWeeBee (seen that name anywhere before?). During the summer, when time and weather permits, we cruise Lake Michigan. All in all, we are a rather ordinary family, except for me. I'm a little close to the ozone, say some.
Anyway, thanks for visiting. Buy a book and let me know what you think. Yes, all of you.
