Most of you who know me would venture I would be the last person to start a blog. I much prefer to engage in the physical world either painting, cooking, dancing, or spending face time with my friends and family than spending time on my computer. But after I took this photo, I felt compelled to share.
This photo represents so many of my dreams coming together. When I found out I was pregnant, my vision of what having children would be like was doing arts and crafts with them, and how fun that would be. Naive, I know. But as babies then toddlers, it was never as much fun as in my pregnancy vision. I felt I had to micromanage their process, which didn’t feel right, or it would become just another huge mess and clean up hassle. Seeing this moment captured in the photo made me realize I have turned a corner as a parent, as now my kids and I can enjoy long periods of “parallel play” with all of us relaxed, enjoying the time together. I am actually surprised they like art; I certainly have not encouraged it ( I give them supplies when they ask, of course). I was not good at art as a child, and I have low expectations for any signs of early aptitude in them. Ironically, it is my expectations of aptitude and pressure on them to learn tennis that is backfiring!
The other dream realized in this photo is the location. My own art studio. After working on my kitchen table for so many years, I feel truly spoiled with a dedicated painting space. And that it can fit 5! My cousin Victoria invented a few extra easels, brought her friend Emily and some great music, and off we all went into our paintings. It was my idea of bliss! Friends, family, art, music, light, creativity, all at the same time.
Yay!
