Sunday 20 September 2009

Through Children's Eyes

Photos copyright of Maggie May.

I always encourage my grandchildren to draw and paint, having an artistic flair myself. They have an artistic auntie back in Japan, so if they do end up being good at art in the future, then I cannot claim all the credit. Their dad also has an artistic eye, but then he might take after me!
I usually end up putting their offerings onto the fridge door. Seems a good place to display it. Sometimes I get too much artwork given to me and I have to surreptitiously recycle something and hope it won't be missed.
The top picture was painted by Amber who was six when she did it. Notice the way the merman is ogling the mermaid! Little girls of this age love mermaids and horses, but horses are more difficult to draw, so I am told.


Now this one was drawn and painted by Millie who is four. She called it *the owl and the ghost.* I am not sure what she was thinking about at the time or where she got her idea from. If I had asked her she probably wouldn't have a clue, as her little brain moves on fairly quickly and I have a job to catch up. I think she might well be the one who has the most talent as she used to spend so long painting, though sadly, the desire to paint does seem to be waning slightly these days.

Working in an After School Club, I do get presented with a fair bit of art work from various children and I don't usually keep it because of lack of space. However the picture below was produced by a friend of Amber's and presented to me, so I put it on the fridge door in a place of honour. The look of pleasure on the child's face when I told her it would go in a special place with the granddaughter's artwork, was a real pleasure to see. I always pretend that I will keep their work, but this time I actually did.
Its a happy little picture, isn't it?





30 comments:

Marian Dean said...

I too find it fascinating to see how little ones interpret their world as they see it. I often get drawing from my granddaughter in Germany and they are quite different from the ones I get from the other one of the same age, who lives in USA.

Nice post Maggie.

Love Granny

Jinksy said...

The owl is heading for heaven, I think! I still have a drawing son did after we'd seen a jousting re-enactment; the knights on horseback gallop along the 'ground' of the edge of the paper, and their lances are fearsome. The picture is framed, and holds pride of place in my hallway, even after 30+ years!

Anonymous said...

Oh they are absolutely lovely. Such attention to detail. I love the mermaidand ghost best!

Anonymous said...

Ah Maggie, those drawings by our children...tongues out, total concentration. I have kept so many of them, sentimental old fool that I am-following us around from continent to continent. No.one and only son's were always neat designs [now he is a Graphic Designer] I think I might frame one of his early works for a Christmas present hehe!

Irene said...

I think the drawing that Millie made is fascinating and she did such a good job on it. It is immediately clear what it is meant to be and that is pretty good for a 4 year old and she shows a lot of imagination. I hope she gets renewed interest in painting soon, because a talent would be lost if she didn't. Amber does a good job too, though, and I think you need to keep both girls encouraged and always have paints and brushes and paper available.

Akelamalu said...

I love it when my grandchildren give me their paintings and drawings. Your grandchildren definitely have an artistic flair especially Millie - her picture is fantastic for a four year old!

Gail Is This Mutton? said...

It's good to see children's art. It never changes over the years does it, except that maybe in our day the mermaid wouldn't have been ogled!

MarmiteToasty said...

I LOVE kids artwork, and we have a doing door here in my house where all precious artwork from me minded nippers get pride of place... the look on their faces when they see their work on the door is priceless....

x

Thumbelina said...

It is a happy little picture, but my favourite has to be Millie's. I might not like the theme but as a piece of art it is really good! There is a truly recognisable (but blue?) owl and ghost! I think she has the gene... :)

I love children's expressions through art.

SandyCarlson said...

I love to look through kids' art to see the way youngsters perceive the world. Your little ones' work is wonderful.

You are a wonderful Gram.

Hilary said...

What a sweet idea to showcase children's artwork. I have little doubt your talented grandchildren have inherited your genes.

I have two huge drawers filled with art and other projects that my kids did over the years. I haven't looked at them in at least a decade. Now, I might just! :)

Jeni said...

When Maya first started preschool, Mandy was like I suppose all mothers are then about their children's art -and she was plastering the refrigerator and freezer with the drawings. But now, with Maya in kindergarten and bringing home 4-6 papers a day -or so it seems -plus Kurtis being in preschool and adding an occasional piece to the mix, it just got way out of hand so no, she (we) look at the papers and then, if possible, mandy has Maya draw on the reverse side in an effort to try to keep her from using every last piece of paper in my printer! Right now, she more into practicing her printing so those clean back sides of her artwork do get put to good use then!

Ayak said...

There's something so touching about children's art. I still have some that my children did pre-school...and they are 27 and 29 yrs old now!

Rose said...

Your refrigerator looks like mine:) Though mine looks rather messy, the grandkids always enjoy seeing their artwork posted in a place of "honor." Millie is quite a talented artist; I don't think I could draw an owl that well!

MARY G said...

Another granny checking in to say that she loves their artwork too. And that the four year old's drawing seems to me to be exceptional for her age.
And, yeah, the merman definitely has something on his mind.

Elizabeth Bradley said...

I love the ghost and the owl, they're both creatures of the night.

Daisy said...

Oh I loved all the pictures, but the ghost and the owl is particularly striking - I wonder where she got the idea for that, it's brilliant. The ghost is like The Scream!

Anonymous said...

Maggie, you leave the sweetest comments! Thank you!

I love the mermaids and the bird and ghost. I think I would frame the mermaid and add it to my bathroom; a fancy gold gilded frame.

The owl and ghost I see in a black frame, brought out to the entry way table on Halloween. Fun!

I would say there is a flair there for sure!

Brian Miller said...

those pics are way cool. my oldest loves to draw and paint. we have these all over the house. they come up witht he most amazing things to draw as well...smiles.

Wendy said...

I too love to look at childrens' artwork. They can be so literal, yet so imaginative.

Nice pics - to treasure.

Gutsy Living said...

I used to keep my own children's artwork on the fridge. They stopped drawing though which was sad. Now they are teenagers. Kids love rainbows.

Anonymous said...

These are so lovely, Maggie. I adore the picture of the oggling merman!!

CJ xx

Reasons said...

That was clearly a ghost and an owl - no doubt about it! Lovely pictures Maggie, let's see more please!

Mickle in NZ said...

Children's drawings and painting are wonderful.

My dear Mum kept my sister's re-interpretation of the Union jack and made it into a quilted walling hangling for Liz.

Mum also has a drawing froma very young Mickle pinned up in her sewing room. Quite how she will interpret an unknowm something coevered over in black scrawl and my full first name twice (one scrawled out) will be a challenge.... 'tis Liz that has the Fine Arts degree, while I'm the family knitter.

Lovely, lovely post, dear Maggie, apologies for raving on so much,

sincere xxxxxx, Michelle and Zebbycat (asleep!!)

Helena said...

Amber and Millie obviously do have a flair for creativity - and I loooove the merman's cheeky little peek at the mermaid! Really sweet!

I have kept all of the efforts my own kiddies have created over the past. I've bundles of the stuff! To me they are priceless. I have a work of art from all 3 of my childrens' primary school classes, pinned to the wall across from my pillow. It's the first and last thing I see when I rise and go to bed.

Expat mum said...

Pretty good for little kids.

nanatrish said...

Children's drawings are the neatest. It has such a pureness to it. I don't know that I have the talent, but I love to do the art. It's such a medium to get your feelings and emotions out.

cheshire wife said...

You have to wonder what they really see.

Working Mum said...

Bless. I love my daughter's pictures and have kept some for posterity, but couldn't possibly keep them all as she is too prolific! You've reminded me that she hasn't done any for her grandparents for a while. Will get on the case this weekend.

Unknown said...

I love the one of the owl and ghost. Very creative and very well done! Four??? Wow.