I’ll be an Artist When I Grow Up

When Livvie was three, she told us she was going to be an artist when she grew up. We said that was awesome, do you know what kind? She wasn’t so sure, but said she liked painting and all the crafts she does at her aunt’s.

Despite having an appetite for sports and a great genetic makeup (stayed tuned for post on Livvie’s sports specific DNA results), we aren’t counting on that as our retirement fund and will encourage an appreciation of the arts just as much. Athletes are always an injury away from ending their career. With art you can always create.

While Livvie’s physical side was taken care of with gymnastics and martial arts, we played with coloring books at home and did drawings that the school teachers said were past her level. Auntie continued arts and crafts and for Livvie’s fourth birthday she threw her a super cool artist party.

Right around this time, Livvie found the stage, overcoming her shyness so she could sing and dance in the local community theater. Suessical, Oliver Twist, Beauty and the Beast. Each show her movements become bigger and bolder, her singing voice a little louder. Perhaps the performing arts are more her thing.

When she turned four and a half, we signed her up for an art class even though she was supposed to be five. We couldn’t believe what a great job she was doing and she loved it, her

face beaming when she showed off the drawings at the end of class. ;After several weeks she said she didn’t want to do it anymore. I’d guessed it was because it cut into play time, but she said it was like dance class. She didn’t want to follow instructions. We tried to convince her that the only successful way to break the rules is by learning the foundations, figuring out what works and what doesn’t in each of them. I promised she’d illustrate one of my novels if she kept practicing. She said she’d do the book, but no more classes. We finally agreed, figured she’ll take it again when she’s ready or find something else.

Livvie is also helping me with my writing, and I promised her co-authorship on Puzzle at the Preschool. She helped come up with many of the story ideas and inspired the main character. But even though she enjoys that in spurts, it doesn’t keep her attention for long.

When her brother was born last month, Livvie began to show serious interest in my camera, perhaps because I was using it much more myself.  Since I always had my hands full, she offered several times to take the photos. My Canon’s held up to my abuse on the road but Livvie’s only five. I warned her to be careful, put the strap around her neck, and told her the basics. She snapped off some nice ones, very proud of herself.

Photography’s an art I’ve only recently began to appreciate, my world flying by too fast to actually pursue. On Thursday, I was in charge of the kids and wanted to get out of the house. Livvie didn’t want to go to the park so early so I bribed her with the camera. “I’ll let you take a few photos of Jake.” That got her moving.

The next post will be Part Two – A Day at the Park