Friday, September 3

Kiddo Art

Modern/abstract art can be tricky. On the one hand, it can look kinda (super) cool. On the other hand, sometimes you are thinking things along the lines of "Really?? Someone believed this guy was an artist???" More like I wish someone would pay me to produce art like that.

So, about 6 months ago, during one of Evan's naps, I got out my watercolors - my good ones from back when I actually made time to paint - and sat down at the table with Aaron. For the first couple of paintings, I was a mean mom and restricted him to a few colors - I had a plan - and then I let him go to town on his own once I had a few paintings I really liked.

Yesterday, I framed them in frames I found at Walm*rt for $2.50 and did a little grouping on his wall. The funniest part is that he didn't even remember painting them, but he thought they were super cool.


What's that? You wanna see them up close?? I knew it.











You know, in theory I despise Walm*rt. In nice-sounding theories, I shop only at locally owned businesses, eat only locally grown produce, and would never dream of darkening the door of any mass merchant. I love the idea of community, of cooperation, of reduction of travel-related environmental and big box economical consequences. In practice? I go there. More often than I want to admit. And I eat bananas, and pineapple, and lots of other delicious fruit and vegetables, mid winter. Not grown in Michigan, last I checked.

Really it boils down to my priorities. And right now, my priority to provide my family with a cozy place to call home and delicious food is taking over my nice-sounding theories, and that is okay for me. Honestly, I can't tell you how thrilled I am that this group of awesome paintings from a very local artist cost a grand total of $7.50, framed. Oh, BTW, I know his bed is a wreck. He is very particular about the blanket/pillow placement and I don't care enough to fix it. Posterity photos, you know.

Hopefully next week, I'll be posting pictures of our bedroom makeover, and living room spruce-up, also crafted from mass merchant goods, and costing far less than I ever could have dreamed.

When Aaron is famous, I promise to frame his art in locally crafted frames. Maybe I can even talk my resident carpenter into making them. Even better.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

Great work both of you! What a cute idea. I'm nodding because I have the same dichotomy between ideals and practice. The wally world frames look fab!

Rachel said...

I love the new look to your site! And that "resident carpenter" of yours is a great guy! :)

Richelle Wright said...

in theory, i mostly agree with you...

but, i also think moderation is key and if shopping at a mass merchant is the best stewardship (time, effort, expense... since we steward so many different things... intentionally or by default).

but i mostly commented to say that you must be in the making over business these days! new blog looks is delightful!

Stephens said...

You're such a great mom! :-)

Kara said...

I love it! I can't believe I haven't done this with any of Rachel's stuff. I need to get cracking.

KColas said...

Love it Jenny! Fabulous idea.