I’m determined to get my daughter to draw something. Being a designer/artist myself I really want to think some type of gene passed onto my daughter. I have visions of the future -- gallery shows or great film premieres all produced by her and she getting some award and me standing among a huge crowd (in the front row, of course) clapping loudly, looking at everybody pointing and yelling “That’s Ma’ Girl!” I want that dream to come true –is that too much to ask?
After the first unsuccessful lesson at 12 months I thought I would try again at 13 - she’s older and wiser now; she has a few teeth, can walk on her own, and can say a few words too (just like great-grandma!) And when she plays with her food and throws it on the floor, it looks just like a Jackson Pollock painting -- so why not?
Preparation: 4 primary color crayons, smooth newsprint sheet of paper, and hide every distraction known to man (and toddler). Play soft classical music in the background (like they did when I was in Art School).
Bring the subject in! (I mean daughter)
I didn’t give her anything this time, just drew on the paper for a little bit while she watched, pointed, and giggled. Then she grabbed the crayon out of my hand, stared at it, and started ‘tapping’ on the little funny doodles I made. In my mind I’m thinking, “She’s drawing!! She’s actually drawing!! My spawn is drawing!!” Then she stopped, looked at the crayon and started eating it this time BITING on it (nasty!) with her teeth and peeling the paper off and ate that too.
After the crayons were wet and ‘clumpy’, she handed them to me one at a time (better than throwing them like last time), crumpled the paper, threw that at the wall and then cried for mama to rescue her from the lesson. She’s a very fervent artist; I wonder if Georgia O'Keeffe or Mary Blair started out like this.
I’ll try again next month.