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.
37 comments:
Kids have such an interesting way of seeing the world - it's kinda beautiful.
There is something to be celebrated about individuality, even if it is not always easy.
I loved it at first sight!
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!
love that.
although my first thought was something from "monsters, inc." wasn't there a one-eyed thing in that?
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. :(
Oh, and the "perfect ones"? Well, from what I've seen, those are more the parents' creations than the kids... Just sayin'.
It's confirmed. He's a genius.
:)
that rocks!!! way to go Graham! be your own person!
I thought of a Picasso right away! :)
Honestly, I think it looks amazing! I love the cyclops look! :)
That's the sign of a true artist. Literal representation is for the birds.
i love his gingerbread man!! i had a similar experience picking up Bradley from preschool one day...boys:)
Non conformist huh? Wonder where he gets it?????
I love the Graham stories. graham is gonna be just great, just like his funny mama
That is a fabulous gingerbread man!
Pure genius! The different drummer sounds pretty good!
His Gingerbread person has a lot of heart.
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...
He's more than fine.
I think it's so wonderfully unique. You shouldn't feel down. It's great artwork, I love it!!
Dude. I totally agree with your husband. Funny... esp. the heart with the eyeball in it!!
Obviously, he's a genius. :)
Swimming against the tide ain't so bad... conforming is worse.
I love it.
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.
Love it! Just shows that he sees love all around him and he let his creative juices flow...love it!
Axel and Graham should start their own artists collective, so they can admire each others' creativity with googly eyes and glue.
I love his gingerbread man - it's beautiful! Be very proud of your creative little man - he gets his creativity from you afterall.
That? Is one kick-ass gingerbread man. I dig the cyclops thing he's got going on. Seriously. He's way cool.
Our kids are not encouraged enough to be individuals, that's how I feel anyway.
Celebrate it!
A great imagination is priceless!
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
Ha!
Behind every genius is a great visionary.
'Atta girl. ;)
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.
:)
Oh wow! I LOVE it! He's a true ARTISTE!
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!
Don Mills Diva--you have the best perspective!
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!
I think it's awesome!
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