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Mom on Purpose

~ The lofty side of this is that I am a mom on a mission. I am striving to create a better world by being the best, most inner-directed mother I know how to be. The other side of this is that I became a mom… on purpose. Meaning, I chose this. But man, it can be hard.

Mom on Purpose

Tag Archives: creativity

Battle of the Brushes

09 Sunday Jun 2013

Posted by Dr. Amy Robinson in Fully expressed, Our Family Adventures

≈ 7 Comments

Tags

Artistry, creativity, new experiences

photo-36

Yesterday we had a new kind of fun:  watching our kids participate in a local event by the Arts Council called the Battle of the Brushes.  Each artist was given one canvas, a palate of primary colour paints, and 20 minutes to create their masterpiece.  It was set up in heats – 20 people per round – and open to all ages and abilities.  (To my surprise, it was mostly adults, including professional artists (!).)  Ethan and Audra were definitely the youngest painters there, by quite a bit – and apparently not phased by that at all (which I thought was pretty cool.)

The atmosphere was like a fair, with live music, vendors, food and spectators – and the ‘main event’ in the middle:  rows of easels standing ready for the artists.

Audra was in the first round, meticulously painting her trees with care, and with a level of concentration that was magical.  Amidst several questions of “how old is she?” (fielded by me – we didn’t want to disturb the busy artist!), she kept on painting,  with only the occasional little frown when her strokes turned out differently than she had anticipated.  But she held wonderfully true to our reminder that with 20 minutes – little mistakes or imperfections would have to be ignored – and just keep painting!

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Watching Ethan was a little more nerve-wracking for me, as his attention to detail is always meticulous.  He mixed and remixed his colours, looking for that ‘perfect shade’ (although I’m pretty sure I heard him comment to himself something to the effect of ‘but of course mixing colours is hard… I’m colour blind!’)  But he, too, just kept going.  I could see the astonishment on his face when he heard the announcement for the final few minutes – and if I could see into his mind, I’m quite sure the elaborately detailed painting that I would see there was not yet completed on the canvas.  His first reaction following the call of: “5-4-3-2-1 ‘painters put down your brushes” was to wilt a little – clearly wishing he had more time.  But with a deep breath and a brave smile – helped no doubt by the congratulations of onlookers – he quickly perked up.

photo-33 

Each heat was then followed by a voting session by all in attendance, where each artist got to witness their ballot boxes fill with votes for their artistry.  Eyes wide, Ethan and Audra excitedly reported that they were getting lots of votes.  And their paintings then went on display for silent auction.  (“Mom, Dad – will you buy my painting?!” we were frantically asked.) Audra decidedly wanted to own hers, and Ethan was decidedly resolved to finishing his.  Next, they excitedly (and somewhat incredulously) reported that ‘someone else wanted their paintings!’.  With some surprise we checked the sheets – and it was true: we had been outbid on both of their paintings.

At the end of the day, we left the event – having pledged $60 on our own kids’ paintings. (all of which goes back to support the South Simcoe Arts Council, I might add).  But even better, we left with happy kids, who felt both accomplished and inspired to create – and who are already talking about converting an area of our music room in the basement into an art studio.  And while that may come with some mess – in the spirit of creativity and creating avenues of artistic expression – why not?!

Ethan's finished artwork

It was truly a fun day.

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Hallowe’en

31 Wednesday Oct 2012

Posted by Dr. Amy Robinson in Fully expressed

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Tags

costumes, creativity, hallowe'en

Today I am pondering creativity.  It is hallowe’en, and I am admittedly disappointed in how little artistry was required for my kids costumes this year.  (Or perhaps I am unconsciously boycotting the pop-culture they have chosen to emulate:  Ethan as Indiana Jones and Audra as Frankie Stein (which is apparently from a show… I think!…) They both looked great, but I am feeling a little disappointed.

Hallowe’en has always symbolized creativity to me.  When I was a kid our costumes were always made from scratch – with koodos to my mom for sewing.  Princesses’, pumpkins and pirates, gypsies and superheros, to name but a few.  I remember one year I went out as one of my favourite book characters, Lucy Little – despite my mom letting me know that most people wouldn’t know who I was (and she was right) But I didn’t care.  I had made my tail out of a clothing hanger and thought my costume was great. (So today, I can be disappointed but also know that Ethan and Audra think their costumes are great, too)

I think as an adult I love dressing up for hallowe’en because it is one of the relatively few creative outlets I have.  However, I am not into sewing (in fact, if anything needs to be sewed in our house, the kids will set it aside for “when Nana visits”… from Halifax!)  But I love doing face painting.  And other than Ethan’s “stubble” and Audra’s green face, there was little for me to do today. (So I am having one of my keep-it-to-myself pouty moments… ) (I guess that doesn’t count once it goes into my blog though… oh well.)

However, I did get to practice my make up artistry on Saturday when I transformed Dean and I into zombies for a hallowee’n party.  The irony does not escape me that I dedicate my efforts to “living life to the fullest” – and yet, spent the night as one of the un-dead. (As I won’t watch zombie movies with Dean, I guess that dressing up as one was my best effort on that one)

I can also look back on some of my favourite costumes from other years… and wonder what will come in other years.  I can enjoy the fact that my entire downstairs has been transformed into a haunted house (using almost every sheet in the house).  And I can be glad I was wanted at Audra’s hallowe’en dance-a-thon at school, where I truly enjoyed watching her dance her little booty off… though in grade four, Ethan didn’t request my presence this year.  Booooo…

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The lofty side of this is that I am a mom on a mission. I am striving to create a better world by being the best, most inner-directed mother I know how to be. The other side of this is that I became a mom.... on purpose. Meaning, I chose this. But man, it can be hard.

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The lofty side of this is that I am a mom on a mission. I am striving to create a better world by being the best, most inner-directed mother I know how to be. The other side of this is that I became a mom... on purpose. Meaning, I chose this. But man, it can be hard.

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