Family Art

May 7, 2009

Inspired by a favorite blogger and a favorite author/illustrator we spent most of this afternoon on the floor drawing together. Truly a fun and highly recommended activity for all ages. We did as suggested and took turns picking themes. Willems is so right.We should all keep drawing and doing it with our kids. Fortunately, I was surrounded by adults who never stopped drawing and always encouraged us to do the same. I have been making a conscious effort to draw more on my own and also with the kids. It's good for them and it's good for me. Listen to what he says about empathy. And I especially love his family's dining room which is covered with chalkboards. Check it out here.

Today's themed drawing session was fun and brought Noah back to drawing. He really got into creating an underwater scene and continued to draw long after the rest of us. Noah seems to go through phases of intense drawing/painting and I have a feeling this
afternoon may be an indication that he is about to pick up his sketchbooks again in earnest.

Camille has been drawing a lot lately. She loves using the large drawing pad to make big, bold portraits of family and friends. It has been interesting to see the developments in her drawings. She has begun to add more body parts and accessories. A drawing of Emee with a bird in one hand. A drawing of Adam and another of Noah. Both with toothbrushes in one hand and guns in the other (perhaps our recent focus on dental care has been too intense?). An interesting one of Liam and Camille. But my favorite is the one she did of me. She had me sit down next to her and she studied my face as she kept adding the details...my hair, my teeth, my cheeks/ears, and my toes.
We are going to keep drawing. Hope you will, too.
Dawn Suzette said...

Wonderful family drawing time! So fun to see the kids drawings!
Love. Love. That dining room!

Anonymous said...

Toothbrushes and guns, I love it! Thanks for making me chuckle this evening--

Kate G.

morninglight mama said...

You are well aware of my love for Mo, so that alone would draw me to this post. But, in addition, you've shared yet another way that you are such a nurturing creative spirit with your children! I was that kid who just never 'took to' drawing... and I admit that I can't get past stick figures, rainbows and suns when the sidewalk chalk comes out. I wonder if there's a point of no return with drawing for adults? Hmmmm... we'll definitely have to start drawing together more often around here.

LitLass said...

I love it! We have a family sketchbook that I leave in the living room with some colored pencils, but we'll have to try this too...

katy said...

love that! my kids love drawing on the floor. got to find a big pad of paper and get that going again.

Audrey is at the same phase of drawing people as Camille - my favorite phase. Can't get enough of those darling primitive people. love the toes Camille added. Audrey adds cheeks and earrings (which look suspiciously like cheeks) Can't seem to recycle her people. I've got piles all over.

Great post!

Francesca said...

As the mother of two older boys, now that I start all over again with their younger sibling, I have many, many thoughts (and no conclusions) on this topic. Is it ok if I write you an email re: this Lucia?

Tara said...

This is a wonderful activity to do as a family... Owen often asks that I draw with him.

Now I need to go back and get that roll of butcher paper I saw yesterday so that we can work on some murals!!

Cami said...

SO fun! We have Giant Journals we all draw in, but not all together. We do frequent the sidewalk with chalk. I think we need to add themes. I love the dining room. I am a fan of chalkboard walls, but I hadn't planned any in my new house. Maybe my playroom will have chalkboard on at least one whole wall. (oooh, but there is carpet there--the chalk does make a mess! I'll just have to make a chair-rail chalk holder!)

summer said...

When I heard this article on NPR, I was so strongly reminded of you that I picked up the phone to call you. But then I would have missed the article. :) I love that you hopped on it right away!

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