Trying to find my way back to the page. After so many weeks of being away - first, getting the hot water heater fiasco fixed - next, getting ready for an extended visit with my daughter and her baby (it's been awhile since I had to toddler-proof. Looking at your world from down on your knees gives you a whole new perspective...oy!). Then, spending ten wonderful days with them, followed by recuperating from the long binge of fun, fun, fun. Two family birthdays and an anniversary later, another year older and still feel like I'm just inching my way along...The first month of a new year is already almost over.
I have a confession. I haven't even opened my sketchbook, this year. So far this year, this picture illustrates the closest I've gotten to making art of any sort. My older daughter (a former pre-school teacher, once upon a time) had a brilliant idea when I took her sister and the little one to visit her and the big grandgirls. She whisked out a handy roll of huge drawing paper, laying a large swath of it out on the floor, then plunked the littlest one down in the middle of it with a pack of washable crayones, while we all gathered around her in one big drawing circle.
Not only fun, it was a good learning experience - for me, especially.The little ones and her cousins had a lot to teach me (kids being some of the best art teachers, around). They've been trying to get this lesson through to me for years, but I guess I'm a slow learner. I keep taking this course, over and over...
Pick a color, make a mark. Make another one. Draw what you like. Draw whatever pops into your head. Just draw. Don't like that color, anymore? Pick another one. Keep drawing, till you're done or want to do something else. Don't analyze it. Don't criticize it. Just go on to the next fun thing.
Great strategy. Though I think I'll skip the crayon-tasting part. That's only for authentic toddler artists.
There's more I want to show you, like the cool, hands-on science museum for kids we visited, but I'll save that for later. Time to open the sketchbook, pick a color and make a mark. Any mark.
Taking baby steps...
That's a lesson I need to practice, too. I bet it was fun watching the little ones with crayons and all that white paper. I hope you saved the paper. Who knows - you might have a Picasso in the family!!
Posted by: Janet | January 28, 2012 at 03:31 PM
Sounds like you had lots of fun!
Posted by: Caroline | January 28, 2012 at 03:56 PM
Such good advice!Children are the best teachers. Glad you had fun with them. xxx
Posted by: gemma | January 29, 2012 at 01:44 PM
I can only say awwwwww. How cute. Lucky you. :)
Posted by: judie | February 11, 2012 at 05:58 AM
I don't know about drawing, but when I go a long time without writing I always worry that I'll forget how to do it well. :S
Posted by: Pacian | February 13, 2012 at 02:23 PM
Hey There Tink!
This is a cool idea!!
Also, VERY HAPPY you were able to hang out with your fan for 10 days of wonderment!
Happy BIrthday to YOU ~~~ I'm so glad you were born and that we met! (even this mysterious way).
So NOW it's time to crank open the sketch book, but THIS was a very creative post and creativity flows down many rivers.
Happy Valentines Day too!
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | February 13, 2012 at 04:15 PM
I hope you know I meant FAM!!! not fan
Who's ever head of a fanily?
Posted by: rochambeau | February 13, 2012 at 04:16 PM