Meaning: The quote you have provided is from Marc Davis, an American artist and animator who is best known for his work with the Walt Disney Company. In this quote, Davis reflects on his early experiences with professional training as an artist. He mentions that the first professional training he received was when he was 14 years old, during a summer in Kansas City, Missouri, where he attended the Kansas City Art Institute. This experience likely had a significant impact on his artistic development and helped to shape his future career as an artist and animator.

Marc Davis was born on March 30, 1913, in Bakersfield, California. He showed an early interest in art and pursued his passion by attending the Kansas City Art Institute at a young age. The Kansas City Art Institute is a private, independent, four-year college of art and design, and it has a long history of providing high-quality art education. Attending this institute would have given Davis the opportunity to receive formal training from experienced art instructors and to immerse himself in a creative and supportive environment.

During his time at the Kansas City Art Institute, Davis would have likely been exposed to a wide range of artistic techniques and disciplines, including drawing, painting, sculpture, and design. This foundational training would have been essential for developing his skills as an artist and laying the groundwork for his future career in the arts. Additionally, the exposure to different art styles and movements at the institute may have influenced Davis's own artistic style and approach.

It's worth noting that Davis's experience at the Kansas City Art Institute occurred during a formative period in his life. At 14 years old, he would have been at an age where his artistic abilities were still developing, and the guidance and mentorship he received at the institute would have been crucial in shaping his artistic identity. The supportive and immersive environment of the institute would have likely provided Davis with the encouragement and inspiration he needed to pursue a career in the arts.

After his time at the Kansas City Art Institute, Davis went on to have a successful and influential career as an artist and animator. He joined the Walt Disney Company in 1935 and became one of the company's legendary animators, contributing to iconic films such as "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," "Cinderella," "Peter Pan," and "Sleeping Beauty." His work was known for its expressive character designs and meticulous attention to detail, and he played a key role in shaping the visual identity of Disney's animated films.

In conclusion, Marc Davis's experience at the Kansas City Art Institute during his teenage years was a formative and influential period in his artistic development. The professional training he received at the institute likely played a significant role in shaping his skills as an artist and animator, and it provided him with the foundation he needed to embark on a successful career in the arts. His early experiences at the institute undoubtedly left a lasting impression on his artistic identity and contributed to his legacy as one of the most celebrated animators in the history of animation.