The adventures of Mommy woman
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Published on February 9, 2006 By JillUser In Blogging

When I got home from picking up kids from school today I noticed a new message on the machine.  It was the art class mom and all she said is she would like me to give her a call.  I immediately thought "uh oh.  What did he do?"  I think most moms of boys can relate to that mindset.

Similar to other jobs, in motherhood you hardly ever get a call that is positive feedback.  Well, I was pleasantly surprised.  She just wanted to let me know that Alex is an exceptional artist.  She figured the teacher probably already contacted me (which she didn't) because they had talked many times about how outstanding his work is.  Wow!

I have always thought he had a knack for art.  His favortie thing is drawing and he comes up with his own characters to draw all of the time.  I guess I always figured I was just being a biased mom in thinking he was exceptional though.  Well now I have confirmation.

Not only does he have raw talent but she said he picks up on concepts and notices things that none of the others kids do.  I was so relieved to hear that he pays attention and follows instructions because he is known for doing his own thing and going off on his own tangent.  She sounded very excited about his talent and he's not even her kid.  How great is that?!


Comments
on Feb 09, 2006

I immediately thought "uh oh.  What did he do?"  I think most moms of boys can relate to that mindset.

I represent that remark!  I was a boy!

But I understand what you mean.  I cannot draw stick people, but my son Alex (must be the name) drew a picture of Bugs Bunny that I had framed!  it is that good!  He tolerates computers (my calling) but his art is hanging throughout my house!  And it is as good as anything in the Louvre! (ok, that may be just pride talking).

on Feb 09, 2006
very cool D, now see if that talent can be nurtured.
on Feb 09, 2006
It's so great to watch our kids grow and see them excelling in different areas, particularly when they're not the same areas we expected they would. I love being surprised by my children. Glad your boy's doing so well, Jill
on Feb 09, 2006

very cool D, now see if that talent can be nurtured.

Please do!

on Feb 09, 2006

There is no feeling quite like the swell of pride a parent feels when they're told that their child is exceptionally good at something.  It makes me want to scoop up whichever child it is and squeeze them in a bear hug and never let them go.

Are you going to do anything differently now that you know about his artistic talent and aptitude?  As in expose him to all kinds of styles and mediums and just let him go wild with paints and pastels and stuff?

on Feb 09, 2006
That is awesome Jill!
on Feb 09, 2006
Thanks for all of the nice comments!
Are you going to do anything differently now that you know about his artistic talent and aptitude?


I told him I will find out what art classes are offered around here to see if any of them apeal to him. I think sketching would be up his alley and he absolutely loves drawing cartoons. He is very imaginative and comes up with his own cartoon characters. He loves dogs too and wrote and illustrated a book about a pug (his favorite kind of dog). I was amazed by the facial expressions and movement in his drawings.

He absolutely loves hanging out with the artists at Stardock. They have been very encouraging whenever he shows them some of his work. With children's books his favorite author was Eric Carle but he also always said he liked his books for their unique illustrations.
on Feb 10, 2006
Time to get him his own camera and see what he sees.  Cameras are a great way to get kids accustomed to framing (which is mucho important when doing any sort of art).
on Feb 10, 2006

Time to get him his own camera and see what he sees.


He had a camera when he was 3 and took some really interesting pictures. I will see if that interests him.

He showed me the picture they had done in class yesterday. The subject was drawing a wooded scene. The art mom had told me "All the other kids drew trees. Have Alex show you what he did." He drew a man emerging from shadows into a forest with a tree that had a knot hole and an owl perched on a branch. The man was holding a lantern and there were fire flies all around him.