It really doesn’t matter…

…that I am 32 years old and if asked to draw a “landscape” this is about the best I can do. 

Wait, I take that back.  I can also draw some really nice snow capped mountains.  You know, the gray triangle kind with white zig zags across the top.

I actually think that my limited drawing ability is a good thing.  When my children see my artwork, they don’t think, “I could never draw that.”  They get inspired and sit down to draw their own landscapes.  I am also trying to be more careful about my words regarding my drawings.  If I say that my drawings aren’t very good, then what will my kids think of their own?

This was drawn amidst a bunch of other pictures drawn by Seth, my child who doesn’t like to draw (or write, or color, etc. etc.)  He was inspired by my simple little picture.

He also wanted a turn at the drawing desk.  My little secretary desk (built by my dad many years ago) next to the fireplace has been turned into a space for “serious” drawing sessions now that all my holiday sewing is finished (well sort of.  somebody’s turning four soon.)

There are real drawing pads and pencils and beautiful new colored pencils are helpful as well.  These are my favorite colored pencils, but we also like these short and stout ones, and these crayons.

Gabriel and Keats, despite their limited exposure to really anything “mainstream” both enjoy drawing super heroes.  I believe this is “Super Gabe.”

And Keats drew “Super Gavin” complete with springs on his shoes, to go in a homemade coloring book for his little cousin.

 But I am having the most fun with this new discovery that I can draw.  Even if my drawings look like they were drawn by a child (according to my husband.)  But really it’s not the drawing that makes me happiest, it is the smile on Larkspur’s face every time I show her the new friend I have drawn for her.  And every time I draw one of these little girls, I discover something new.  For instance, hands should always be hiding in pockets or behind the back because they are really hard to draw!

Each of Larkpur’s friends has something to tell her and each has a name.  Sometimes I choose, and sometimes she does.  She named this little red head “Pops” after a friend’s little girl with the same nickname (minus the red hair.)  Pretend Pops has such rosy cheeks.  Larkspur loves rosy cheeks and I have also heard her talking about Pops’ dancing shoes.

This is Jo. 
“But Jo’s a boy’s name!” 
“Not if it’s short for Josephine, like Jo in Little Women.”
“Oooooh, read me what she says again.”

And here is Larkspur’s creation.  Her name is Lisker (oooh how original, yet awfully similar to Larkspur…)  Larkspur drew her, and then asked me to add a blue coat and a few words that she dictated to me.  Her words are so much better than mine.

In case you couldn’t tell, here is a close up of Lisker’s eyes, nose, and mouth.  I am awfully impressed.  It’s almost as good as mine, and Larkpur is only 3 1/2.  I am 32 going on 8.  Okay, so that’s how old I feel when I am drawing with Larkspur.

“Lisker is in her bedtime clothes.  She is tip toeing down the stairs.”

“She doesn’t know her mommy is down there.”
Hmmm, I wonder what Lisker is up to?  I’ll have to ask Larkspur about that.

And just so you know, while my children love my elementary drawings, they do not love my bad singing, and I don’t think there is anything I can do about that.