Branko Paradis; an American, Self-taught, Art Naïve artist, was born in Zagreb, Croatia on July 7, 1942—on the kitchen table. World War II raged relentlessly, as he and the Paradis family struggled bravely for years with intense poverty, hunger and terrorism from Fascists. At about age eleven, the young Paradis discovered drawing and painting, which brought some light and enjoyment into his life. While growing up, he’d watch the older artists do their work, and in time, they invited him to join them. He was immediately attracted to it and found something that could make him feel happier than he ever did. In exchange, he gave these more mature artists his mother’s cooking, that she provided for him each day, in exchange for any materials that these artists would be able to give the young Paradis, so that he too could “make his pictures,” as the young boy-artist called it. This boy, it seems, had already made his decision and told his mom , nearly every day that: "he too was going to be an Artist, for always.” This came to pass. It was the only wonderful thing for the child that was born and lived through years of misery in war, utter poverty, and Fascist domination.