Friday's Special Moment of Gratitude

1/19/2012

Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up. Pablo Picasso

It is Friday time to write about what I am grateful for this week as well as well as to share something that I painted for Paint Party Friday. I have spent some time reflecting this week on how to be sure I always enjoy the time I spend creating. It is easy for me to let that little critical voice get into my head. But I have a powerful image that I am going to use to keep that critical voice away. This Christmas my five year old grandson asked Santa for an easel. E (my nickname for him) loves to draw and paint and Santa was listening and so he got his easel. After Christmas dinner the adults were sitting relaxing while E was busy painting. He would quickly paint a picture, rip it off his easel, and proudly present each masterpiece to an adult at the table. His paintings were full of joy and each picture represented his love of what he was doing as well as for the person he was painting for. We were all thrilled with the extra gift we got to put on our refrigerator. But most of all we were all thrilled to watch his exuberance and excitement at being an artist.
When I am drawing or painting I want to make sure that I feel the same way that E did on Christmas day. I want to enjoy every minute and feel excited by both the process and the product. I want to remember that my work doesn't have to be perfect to make someone happy. It just has to be done with love. That for me, just like it was for E, will be the easy part! Once again, my grandson has taught me an important lesson. That is something that I am very grateful for this week.
What special moment are you grateful for this week?

17 Comments

carol link

1/19/2012 10:25:57 pm

We all would do well to learn from children and create from the 'child within' ~ fun painting you have done ~namaste, carol (Share the Creative Journey) Happy PPF ~

Crystal link

1/20/2012 02:06:50 am

And they call adults the teachers! Children are sometimes very wise. :-)

carlarey link

1/20/2012 02:33:53 am

As long as we can tap into that feeling of enthusiasm and delight, nothing else matters.

Faye link

1/20/2012 03:29:53 am

Hopefully, the child in us stays alive to the end. At least I hope my "child" does. Also, the Bible says: out of the mouths of babes often comes wisdom.

Tammie link

1/20/2012 04:44:46 am

art truly is a wonderful gift in the ways you share!

Christine link

1/20/2012 05:25:43 am

lovely words from Picasso, thanks for the great advice! Cute sketch too.

gina link

1/20/2012 05:38:22 am

Grandchildren help us connect to the "child within"...such a gift for us. Your picture and words are so sweet!

EVA link

1/20/2012 06:21:24 am

How wonderful to see your gift used to create such joy. Great post and touching sketch.

Mary C. Nasser link

1/20/2012 10:25:08 am

Delightful post!

Happy PPF!!
Mary
<a href="http://www.marycnasser.com/blog.html">Mixed-Media Map Art</a>

Carolyn Dube link

1/20/2012 11:04:10 am

Your description of your grandson painting reminded me of so many moments with my kids - when they were just in the moment without any expectations, just loving the moment. Thanks for reminding me about that! Hope you have a fabulous week!

geckostone link

1/20/2012 11:01:47 pm

Your painting is adorable and your words always so inspiring to me! I love where you said "it just has to be done with love". I forget that when I get so lost in self criticism, ugh! Thank you for such a beautiful post. I think your grandson will always be an artist because he is growing up in such a wonderful loving environment! Let's see , a moment I'm grateful for this week, well actually there were lots of them but the one that comes to mind is when my supervisor at work saw how frustrated I was trying to fill in for our lead who is in the hospital and he told me he knows its hard and let me know I was doing fine. I finally slept ok that night,lol! My friends at work helped me alot and our lead is coming back Monday, yipeeeeee! Hugs, Deb

anne link

1/21/2012 12:41:09 am

Wonderful reminder to ENJOY our art. Isn't it funny that as adults we need to remind ourselves of this. Children's joy is so pure. I am always trying to recapture my younger artist self. Where did she go?

Sweet illustration of your grandson, too!

Happy PPF!

jean Zoss link

1/21/2012 08:32:50 am

i am always grateful for time to paint! happy PPF!

Serena link

1/21/2012 06:59:13 pm

OH, to paint with the carefree whimsy of a child! I love to watch my son draw and colour-in with wild abandon. Yes, we can certainly learn a lot from children. I love the sketch of your Grandson painting at his new easel. :)

Katina Wright link

1/21/2012 09:40:43 pm

Great post with an approach I completely agree with. Approaching creating with joy and without self-criticism allows us to experience & create and explore. Watching children is definitely a great way to be reminded of this & to remind us to enjoy and appreciate every moment.

Kat :-)

Theresa link

1/22/2012 01:53:37 am

Children are insights to the pure things in life. I would like to create a gratitude journal this year. I am truly grateful for my family.

Sara link

1/24/2012 12:30:51 am

I love the painting. Your talk about E and his exuberance about showing his painting. You hit the nail on the head about the importance of remembering how be like a child regarding art and any creative endeavor. I'm pleased you are enjoying the child in you and letting her have the freedom to share her own works of art:~)

Friday's Special Moment of Gratitude

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