Many of you know that I spend the majority of my work hours in the company of children and their artwork. I've actually worked with people of all ages and their artwork, but children hold a special place in my heart, as for them, art is a natural means of communication. Up until a certain age, children naturally express in this way and before they start to become self-conscious about the product, it is an absolute joy for me to witness and be a part of the process. (It's still awesome after they become self-conscious but it fundamentally changes the dynamic.)
Anyway.
Before having my own kid(s), one of the things that I loved most about having access to my friends' kids was (is) to watch their development unfold via their art work. Auntie The New Girl has always gotten lots of pictures in the mail (and always hangs them on the fridge.) And I looked forward to having my own kids in this way, too.
Even though I'm always mindful that art making might not be their 'thing,' I am still excited to see and engage their development in this way. TLNG has always liked to 'color' and to 'scribble' but has preferred to watch ME draw. 'YOU do it, Mommy! Draw ELMO!' (I have planned a 'Draw With The New Girl' post for SO LONG, to show you what I have to go through with this little tyrant but I just haven't gotten to it yet. Lucky you.) I should say that I was [WAY more tolerant than I wanted to be] happy to *entertain* my kid in this way but struggled a little with what seemed to be her resistance to engage on her own.
Just this past week, though, she's started trying her hand more often. With amazing results, yo. At least, amazing to me. It might still all look like scribble-scrabble to you but...I don't know.
Look here:
This is Olivia. She is good at lots of things.
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A shark.
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'But where's Nemo's MOMMY?'
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This is our Dog.
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'I'm going to draw MING MING!!'
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Going to get her live model.
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This. Is. Sewious. Em effers.
She's good! I can't get M to do more than scribble or two. She does however love to draw stuff, so I'm still silly proud that she may yet take after both of her parents. Must be the art major in me.
Posted by: Amelia Sprout | September 18, 2009 at 08:06 PM
Those drawing are totally awesome.
Posted by: Secret Mom Thoughts | September 17, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Wow, she's actually really good!!
Posted by: Suzy Voices | September 17, 2009 at 05:09 PM
I was GOING to say what a shame it was she'd drawn on a drawing board instead of on paper so you could keep them. But then I realized that if she was drawing on paper, you wouldn't be able to throw out ANY of them because they are ALL too GREAT.
Posted by: Swistle | September 17, 2009 at 01:41 PM
Wow, that's seriously impressive! My son couldn't draw recognizable shapes until SK (so almost 6 yrs old). Wow.
Posted by: amy | September 17, 2009 at 11:54 AM
I'm impressed. She's much better than most any other kid I've ever seen. I see dollars in her future.
Posted by: lora | September 17, 2009 at 09:17 AM
Thank God Q can draw because she draws everything for Drew. And as it seems, TLNG will be drawing everything for Drew too.
Posted by: MU | September 17, 2009 at 08:18 AM
The dreaded MagnaDoodle. I hate that effin thing. "Draw a truck!" "Train!" "Race Car!" "Rocket ship!" If I had a nickel for every time that damn thing is shoved in my face.
Posted by: Amanda | September 17, 2009 at 06:39 AM
oh the shark is my favorite!! I love it!
My child (5.5) has regressed to no faces with his people. He scribbles a color on their head and then claims he didn't have room for a face! Ahhh his laziness is already shining through.
Posted by: Carrie | September 17, 2009 at 02:58 AM
Wow, she's even trying for perspective in the dog picture and Ming Ming. Trying to forshorten their snouts/beaks.
Posted by: mom,again | September 16, 2009 at 11:40 PM
That Ming Ming rocks!
OK, so in your professional opinion, what if a kid can't draw a SMILE to save his life? (Age 4.5) All the faces he draws have this totally stern straight line mouth. We're doomed right?
Posted by: mayberry | September 16, 2009 at 11:36 PM
Damn. She's GOOD. Sewiously. My kid just scribbles and you have NO IDEA what the hell she drew until she tells you... and then, you STILL have no idea.
Fuck. You kid is ahead of mine in EVERYTHING. Potty trained? check. Bilingual? check. Drawing recognizable things? check.
You know what? Screw your kid, man. She's messing up the curve, yo.
Posted by: Erica | September 16, 2009 at 10:47 PM