Painting again…
I was very brave today. I let Baby Bug paint with real acrylic paints on a real canvas. It wasn’t part of the plan but I was so into my own paintings I just wanted to buy a few more minutes so I could finish up. Of course that was the ONLY thing she wanted to do so I let her. Anything to keep her quiet for ten more minutes.
Normally, I wouldn’t even think of letting Baby Bug touch my paint. For starters: “grown-up paint” doesn’t always wash out of clothes (or the couch or the rug or anything else that might happen to be handy). I’ve ruined so many of my favorite outfits it’s not even funny. Also, it’s expensive! Every time I go to the paint store to buy one tube of red or yellow or green, I always walk out of the store holding my heart because I why do three tubes of paint cost $100!!! Yet I can’t sell a painting for more then $50? Why is painting such an expensive hobby?!! And lastly, canvases aren’t cheap either. Thankfully I’ve finally figured out I can order them online for a significant discount. (I just want to add that I hate our local art store and will boycott them whenever I can.)
I’ve let my nieces paint with my paint and canvases before and regretted it because they covered the canvas with one color and then covered it again with another color. I think they would have kept on painting the canvas over and over again if I didn’t call it a day. In a way that is kind of cool because painting really is about the “process” and not the end result but I just have a hard time letting go of my paint and canvases. I’m greedy I guess.
But then I thought… this is my daughter. She’s going to paint. She wants to paint. Who am I to stop her? If I want her to grow up to be a great artist I have to give her all the tools. Who cares if she’s only two.
Also, I just wanted her to stop whining! Anything! Here, have the keys to my car! Just let mommy paint for a minute.
But she did really well. She didn’t make too horrible of a mess and I kind of like this painting. I think I might even hang it on the wall. I have a feeling she has quite a career ahead of her… it’s going to be fun anyway.
Thankfully everything washed off and the couch made it through without any hand
prints… this time. The mess was totally worth it because I got to paint too!
37 Comments
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You can just see how proud, and happy, she is in that last photo.
bluejaye
Definately hang it on her bedroom wall. She did a great job.
Sarah
Dude…she did a fantastic job and you definitely need to hang it up. Check out one of my new favorite blogs about toddler art:
http://artfulparent.wordpress.com/
Tressa
I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again… she is a lucky girl to have you for her mom.
erin rae
I love BB’s painting. Abstract by very cool!
My sister swore by Cheap Joe’s for canvases when she was doing her BFA, you might want to check them out: http://www.cheapjoes.com/art-supply/JPE66_7763_joes-prime-really-good-canvas-extra-deep-quot-x-quot-pkg-of.asp
Ugly link – sorry!
Trish
the last photo says it all! way to go, momma!
bethany actually
“Here are the keys to my car, just let mommy paint for a minute.”
Hee hee. :-)
OMSH
I can’t wait to see what she’s producing in just a matter of a few years.
gorillabuns
At first I couldn’t believe she was painting and started to hypervenilate about paint shoved deep into the brush then, I saw the picture. Holy Hanna! What a wonderful eye and such joy on her face. Wrap her in Saran Wrap and let her go!
Sarah
aww BB looks so pleased! I bet you just live for those little moments and that adorable face.
sam
BB is a great artist. You should consider opening her own Etsy shop!
I LOVE the last picture, she’s so happy and proud of herself!!
All Adither
That painting is lovely. I would definitely display it.
Donna
BB could be one of those child prodigys! Her painting is great! Someone will come along and discover her and she’ll be famous and support you and Toby for the rest of your lives with her million dollar paintings!! You can dream a little!!
kathryn
Amazingly gifted that girl.. I wonder where she gets it from? I love this photo series of her hard at work. I think you should display the photos as well as the art (since its about the process too!)
I was happy to see you put Mandolin Girl up for sale. I really think you should keep pursuing the painting; I personally would love to buy one (if they didnt get snatched up so fast!)
Diandra
Hi there, not sure if I’ve ever commented before, but I love your pictures. I’m not sure if the local art supply store you mentioned is the same art supply store that I love, nor am I sure if my store is close enough for you… But, have you tried Art Supply Warehouse in Westminster? Fabulous, fabulous, prices. I promise. And their sales! Holy cow! You walk out of there feeling like you stole everything!
Susan
I think its wonderful that you let her be who she is without worrying so much. Too many mommy’s let their babies miss out on life as not to let them be in the way of what mommy wants to do herself. You are selfless! That painting is pretty great…almost like spring.
rachel
I think you may be right. She seems to have an eye for both composition and color. And she’s only two. Wow!
Aurora
LOVE the last picture! green hands! yay!!
Leah
I love watching you be a mother. I admire the way you let BB do things that most kids don’t get to do until they’re older (painting, baking cookies). It’s changing the way I want to mother my own (future) children, and I think it’s going to make everything a lot more fun! (And messy.)
Anonymous
I think her painting looks like spring just as the first flowers are blooming.
Kaili
Love the last picture of BB!
oya baka mama
Her painting is gorgeous!
diane
I think that painting is fantastic, pretty and colorful. You are such a great mom!!
Busymomma66
She’s got a great eye for color and texture!! You’re a great mom.
Beth
She looks so excited in that last picture. You are a wonderful mommy for letting her paint and make a mess with your expensive supplies. I like the work too!
Victoria
Nice job BB!
Elizabeth
I’ll bet that she is sooo proud to be using Mommy’s special paint, too!!
What a beautiful piece she has created.
Red Lotus Mama
BB is turning into quite the little artist. Little ‘Ny loves to paint. To prevent a total disaster in our house or have her destroy her clothes I let her use Crayola Washable Paints: http://www.crayolastore.com/product_detail.asp?T1=CRA+54%2D1205&. They are a god send!
BeachMama
BB is a fantastic painter. I love her canvas, she chose such subtle colours. You are really fantastic to let her just go with it. I would have had more stress letting the kids paint than trying to finish what I was up to.
Amy
I really like it! My fave color combos!
Jamie F
Love that last pic of BB.She’s such an adorable little girl.I too, think she defintely has a future in painting.Love the green in the painting.Oh yeah and I Love your BLOG.
jonniker
Holy crap, Brenda, that is one cute kid. I knew that already of course, but that face in the final photo is TO DIE FOR.
Grenda
I so WANT that bird picture. I’ve been thinking about it since you showed it hanging in BB’s room. TOO CUTE!! Please let me know if you are going to sell it.
Ashley
She’s already got talent! You’ll have to sell the next one in your Etsy shop – you just watch her become famous by 3.
margalit
Like everyone else has said that child has a ton of talent. She’s so lucky she has you for a mom, because you’re brave and daring and let her pain with real expensive acrylics.
Camels & Chocolate
What potential! She just gets cuter by the day, too. I love how she hams it up for the camera!
toni
Is she more proud of the paint on her hands or the painting itself? :D Either way, she is so precious!! Loved her painting too!