Abstract Art

Yesterday at the library, Wren and I picked out Art by Patrick McDonnell among a million others (Some of our favourite authors are Todd Parr, Mo Willems and Ellen Stoll Walsh!)

But this post isn't about books...

The heat was too much for me to handle yesterday afternoon, and since we have a lovely AC unit that blasts cold air into the kitchen/living room, I thought it might be fun to try out some painting in that spot in the house. We decided to do some abstract art.

A long time ago, Wren was given some Melissa & Doug paintbrushes. They're awesome because they have wide handles that younger kids can hang onto easily. 

Now, I'm not one to "edit" my child's art so it's not ugly or something, but I did tailor the process because..

I didn't want to open every single jar of 12. We opened 3. That's just called mess management. She loved painting for the whole 15 minutes it lasted until she was over it. You can see mine on the bottom right. She made me paint with her. I was trying to do the mom thing where you give your kid an activity and go get something else "important" done. She wouldn't have it. 

I made one, Wren made 4. This one was my favourite so we put her first painting up on the fridge. Nice.

I'm glad she asked  made me sit down to paint with her. It reminded me how much I love it.
You may not know this about me, but I actually love painting. Not saying I'm good at it, I just love it. And I don't do it often, especially now since paint and two tiny kids is asking for trouble.

A few Christmases ago, Kenton actually bought me canvases, paint, brushes, and whatever that thing is called that you mix your paint on. I did a few, one is in Ellie's room now. But I don't paint actual pictures or anything, I'm a big BIG fan of abstract art (See the painting in the background? My friend Marcie painted it and I've had it as the focal point in our living room since!. And conveniently, my favourite abstract artist, Michelle Armas, was just featured in an interview on Design*Sponge!

Seriously, ah-mazing. She also sells $35 prints! I know what will be at the top of my Christmas list this year...

Anyway. The point of all this is that I also bought a canvas for each girl's room. We're going to get Wren to do a painting for her and Ellie and I'm going to be real honest here- I hope I like them, even a little bit. I don't really want to put something mega ugly up and say "I love it because my kid did it!"...because that would be a lie.
I'll do a follow up post once this happens, it's going to be fun!