Wednesday, December 17, 2008

His Gingerbread Man period

Graham and I were sitting alone at the craft table at the play group the Saturday before last.

All the other kids were enjoying circle time together, but having given up trying to get my little non-conformist to join in, I had turned my attention to the paper gingerbread man he was working on.

The table was littered with examples other children had created. Two eyes positioned roughly where one would expect to find them, circles for noses, moon-shaped cut-outs for smiley faces and woolly hair glued - yup! - right on top of the head.

But, despite my enthusiastic exhortations, Graham had his own ideas about how his man (woman?) should look.


Sigh.

At first I felt just a little down, resigned if you will, to the increasingly obvious fact that Graham is destined to spend his life swimming against the tide.

But then, the more I looked at his creation, the more it reminded me of something.

There was a certain style, a certain flair that was oddly familiar.

Hmmm, let's see, where had I seen something like it before?

Oh wait - I know!


Yeah...I think my boy's gonna be just fine.

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37 comments:

Anonymous said...

Kids have such an interesting way of seeing the world - it's kinda beautiful.

InTheFastLane said...

There is something to be celebrated about individuality, even if it is not always easy.

April said...

I loved it at first sight!

Bird's Eye View Photography said...

I have to say that I am a bit sad when my kid comes home with the PERFECT art... I know that it was not entirely his creation, merely a copy of a teachers... or even worse-- they helped him!

I love what Graham made!

the planet of janet said...

love that.

although my first thought was something from "monsters, inc." wasn't there a one-eyed thing in that?

Michelle said...

He and Peanut are going to get along so very well. I would take a pic and email you her "snowman" from one of those types of art projects... Very similar to the gingerbread man. Except I can't because my mother decided to throw it out when she was here. Clearly she doesn't appreciate fine art. :(

Michelle said...

Oh, and the "perfect ones"? Well, from what I've seen, those are more the parents' creations than the kids... Just sayin'.

Angella said...

It's confirmed. He's a genius.

:)

kay said...

that rocks!!! way to go Graham! be your own person!

Kat said...

I thought of a Picasso right away! :)

Brittany said...

Honestly, I think it looks amazing! I love the cyclops look! :)

Run ANC said...

That's the sign of a true artist. Literal representation is for the birds.

Clare said...

i love his gingerbread man!! i had a similar experience picking up Bradley from preschool one day...boys:)

E said...

Non conformist huh? Wonder where he gets it?????

I love the Graham stories. graham is gonna be just great, just like his funny mama

Jennifer @ Fruit of My Hands said...

That is a fabulous gingerbread man!

for a different kind of girl said...

Pure genius! The different drummer sounds pretty good!

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

His Gingerbread person has a lot of heart.

tracey.becker1@gmail.com said...

I will never forget the camp art instructor tsking over the creations I had helped my scouts make. "You didn't follow the directions! It's supposed to have this design and the beads go here and the paint goes THERE!! You're doing it WRONG!"

To which I replied:

"It's ART. There is no right or wrong in ART."

I personally LIKE gingerbread men with cyclops eyes and random squiggles...

Heather said...

He's more than fine.

Rhea said...

I think it's so wonderfully unique. You shouldn't feel down. It's great artwork, I love it!!

MomItForward Jyl and Carissa said...

Dude. I totally agree with your husband. Funny... esp. the heart with the eyeball in it!!

Vered said...

Obviously, he's a genius. :)

Swimming against the tide ain't so bad... conforming is worse.

flutter said...

I love it.

Lori Stewart Weidert said...

I love that. I've been delving into paint and collage, and am struggling with letting go of order and logic. I want Grant to come over to my house once a week, for art afternoon, and encourage me to let my inner artist out.

Laura said...

Love it! Just shows that he sees love all around him and he let his creative juices flow...love it!

Anonymous said...

Axel and Graham should start their own artists collective, so they can admire each others' creativity with googly eyes and glue.

Janice @ Mom On The Run said...

I love his gingerbread man - it's beautiful! Be very proud of your creative little man - he gets his creativity from you afterall.

Burgh Baby said...

That? Is one kick-ass gingerbread man. I dig the cyclops thing he's got going on. Seriously. He's way cool.

SaraLynn said...

Our kids are not encouraged enough to be individuals, that's how I feel anyway.
Celebrate it!

A great imagination is priceless!

Kellan said...

Oh - you are right~~! I totally believe he is just fine and a great little artist! I love that gingerbread man - too cute!

Take care, Kelly - see you soon - Kellan

Maggie, Dammit said...

Ha!

Behind every genius is a great visionary.

'Atta girl. ;)

Laski said...

I can't lie . . .I'm all over that GBM. Creativity at its best.

I'm tellin' ya, coloring in the lines is so yesterday.

:)

Blog said...

Oh wow! I LOVE it! He's a true ARTISTE!

tommie said...

I love it....the ones that follow the teacher's example to a T totally wear me out! I love an original.

Do you frame any of his art? We have several floating frames ...in the playroom and the kids' bedrooms....we rotate the current art in them. It is so fun to see!

Barrie said...

Don Mills Diva--you have the best perspective!

Woman in a Window said...

Yay! For him and for you.

And to those mom's who correct their children and hand them the two eyes, two ears, one nose, shame! Tut!

Anonymous said...

I think it's awesome!