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| After I cleaned the kids' paint up and put them down for a nap, I painted for the first time in six years. That's right. Six years. It's not my best work, but I enjoyed it so much! Why did I go six years without it?!? |
With that said, I haven't painted a picture since I had children. They, by no means were the reason for that. I just used it as an excuse. In my lack of using my own art skills, I fear I may have not shared the very thing I have loved so dearly since before I can remember: Art.
Through Pinterest, I discovered a wonderful blog called The Artful Parent. I think I may find that is a great resource for me as I try to rediscover what I love about art and show my kids that they can love art too. Of course, I'm not going to force it on them, but at the ages that they are now, they all love to grab a paintbrush and have at it!
In the process of painting watercolor painting with all three of my kids, I learned a few things.
1) DO prepare. DON'T tell your kids what you are preparing for, otherwise, they will "help" with the preparations a little too much.
2) DO have the right supplies. I got out my six-year-old tubes of water color and couldn't open half of them. The other half were dried up. I had to scramble for more paints.
3) DON'T paint with all three of your kids, ages 20 months, 3 years, and 5 years, without taking a chill pill before hand. Prepare your mind for stress. (i.e. spilled water, paint on table, hands, clothes, floor. Kids falling out of chairs trying to reach for paint. Kids crying because the paint won't come off their hands.)
4) DON'T expect to paint with them. I did. How silly of me! I realized how private and relaxing painting is meant to be for me. It doesn't mix with kids. Period.
5) DON'T worry about it if you don't really care to paint or for the Arts. DO have your kids paint anyway. It's good for them to be able to create anything their little minds think up.
6) DO, if you fancy it, paint a picture of your own after you clean up and put your kids down for a nap. You will need it.
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| Left: Paintings by Jackson. Top Right: Owen's painting. Bottom Right: Madelyn's painting. |
2 comments:
I have been following your post lately and loving them. They have been great, great ideas and great reminders to be creative. I love projects and creating but rarely do because I busy myself with life. You have been so encouraging to my creative side reminding me that there is always time if I really want it. Not to mention that sometimes the creative things we do save us time in the long run, example your post on a coffee tea bar. I love the way you involve your kids in all your projects rather it is a project for them or for something else. I always need to plan for my kids to be involved in all my projects so it is great to see how others let there kids 'help' them clean or exercise or whatever it is we are trying to accomplish. So thank you for sharing and being so encouraging. Crystal
Crystal- I am so glad you have been inspired. I have really grown in my realization of how important being creative to me is. I only wish I had done this earlier. Nevertheless, I have a lot to look forward to because there is always a way to be creative everyday!
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