Artist / Vandal: YOU DECIDE My Four-Year Old

Art often presses boundaries, evokes an emotional reaction, and makes us think.

I have four-year old that presses boundaries, evokes a strong emotional reaction from me, and makes me think (about taking an aspirin or a nap or a vacation) often.

So does that make her an artist or a piece of work?

I jest.  She is a delight.  But I have to laugh because she is a whirlwind of energy and often channels that into creating messes…ummm I mean art, all around our house.

PLEIN-AIR is the act of painting outdoors.  We told her we were going to the river and she naturally (said sarcastically) packed her easel, paints, and palette.

On a recent whirlwind trip to Chicago my mom, seven-year old, and I walked through the Art Institute of Chicago.

I drooled over the pieces–Monet, Degas, an on and on!  I also got a little confused over some of the contemporary works.  But, art is Art.  And I appreciated it all.

Which got me to thinking…maybe if I view her “pieces” as art I’ll laugh instead of cry.  Ha!

Maybe she is just a post-modern artist bent on deconstructing our house for the sake of art. That is what I’ll keep telling myself as I laugh, roll my eyes, and daily choose patience!

So I invite you into a gallery tour of the art we display around our farmhome.  I call the exhibit: “Makes Her Mama Take An Aspirin.”  or “Vandal/ Artist: You Decide”

Art is in the eye of the beholder, and she has certainly given us much to behold.  Don’t worry….I keep it around our house because I am a memory-archivist.  I’ll look back fondly on this one day.

THE EARLY PERIOD

the EARLY PERIOD. This is called, “Turned my brother into a LION” while mom was on the phone during pick-up time for older-brother. Hey, he’s all smiles!

 

GRAFFITI

a selected work from the GRAFFITI period. Notice the canvas is the floor. I told her to “go get your shoes on” and she interpreted the directive as “go paint all over the floor.” The canvas extended into our closet and bedroom.

 

SELF-PORTRAIT/ PORTRAIT

the SELF-PORTRAIT/ PORTRAIT stage. The medium of this fine piece is fingernail polish. It was swiftly painted while I gave her little brother a bath. She told me that it was a painting of her. But the next day, after realizing my disdain, told me “It’s a painting of YOU mama. So I can always look at you.” She said while fake-smiling. Yep, she’s got the smarts, too.

 

COSTUME DEPARTMENT

 

gave her baby brother the “Lloyd from Dumb & Dumber” haircut.

 

EXPRESSIONISM

the LLAMA from our front field. Please note that it is anatomically correct. She did point this out to me. Hey, we learning a bit of biology, too!

 

THE BLUE SPARKLE PERIOD

And for the PIECE DE RESISTANCE I present to you, “Glitter Paws”.  In our front yard we have a picnic table we use for projects. I told her to take out our art supplies to the front yard and I’d be there in just one minute.  By the time I had arrived the kitten was transformed.  He’s ADORABLE she kept telling me as she sprinkled on the glitter. And his name is “Glitter Paws.”

Enjoy the video!

So folks.  You can feel good knowing that I’ve taken in an “artist in residency” at my house. She can’t yet sign her autograph, but I’m sure she’d paint your face if you’d like a little bit of creativity for you to take to your home.

I certainly love this little girl. She makes me giggle and curse in my head.  All at the same time.

Tell me.  Do you have some art going on in your house created by your littles?

xoxo,

Sarah

 

“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. ” pablo picasso

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pin It
Email Email
Email, RSS Follow Me

About Sarah

Sarah Philpott, Ph.D, is the author of the award-winning book: Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss. Her newest release is The Growing Season: A Year of Down-on-the-Farm Devotions. Sarah lives in the south on a cattle farm where she raises her four mischievous children and is farm wife to her high-school sweetheart. Sarah is founder of the Loved Baby support group and #HonorAllMoms Mother's Day movement. These days Sarah happily chooses to be a stay-at-home mom and spends her days cleaning up peanut butter & jelly off the counter, dreaming of traveling the world, and chasing her children around the farm. She doesn't believe in sharing desserts. Life is too short to share chocolate! Sarah is a lover of coffee (black), rocking chairs, the outdoors, and Hemingway.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.