Creative Parenting: Project Rock Painting

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for something creative to do. ALWAYS. I also find myself looking for ways to spark creativity in my little lady. I don't expect her to be an artist or anything, she can do what she likes, but I do hope to instill in her a sense of creativity. I assume that will only benefit her in the long run.

There are times when it can be a bit challenging to creatively engage an almost 2 year old (next week is her 2nd b-day). I find that part of the experience is the explanation beforehand, she gets really excited about our plans so that when we get to work she is far more enthusiastic than if I had had just plunked her down in front of a project.

Yesterday while we were getting ready for the day we started talking about rocks and how fun it would be to paint them, what you don't do that? When we were dressed and ready we decided to take a walk in order to find a couple of rocks/exercise Bumblebee. Cordelia was eager to point out rocks along the way. Mostly she just wanted to take decorative rocks from other people's yards. When we had made our selections, from rocks that were not stolen, she proudly carried them home, hoisting them triumphantly in the air above her head.

When we got home she "helped" me with the set up. I laid out some butcher paper on the table and took off her cute clothes to keep them clean. I really need to just make her an art smock, anyone have a pattern? Next, I got out some of my old paintbrushes and some acrylic paint. I put the paint on a bit of aluminum foil and I let her get to work. I just kind of let her do her own thing, it wouldn't really be an exercise in creativity if I was hovering around her. I did my own painting and just made sure she didn't start flinging the stuff around the room.


Busy painting


Painted rock

She painted the rocks for a while. I knew she was done when she started painting herself, an example of my keen parental observational skills. I cleaned her up and laid her down for a nap while the rocks were drying.

When she awoke we went outside and she found the perfect place for her rocks.









What creative projects have you been up to lately?

Finding Inspiration

Eric and I were recently talking about creative inspiration and where it is found. Do you find your creative inspiration within yourself or do you pull it from external sources?



Here is where I find my inspiration:

My own juicy brain. I have a very active interior world. I have a long running inner monologue (which never turns off) and sometimes I manage to get myself inspired.

My husband. Eric and I talk all of the time. He is often very helpful when I just need to talk out an idea, to figure out the next step, or just to get motivated. He is really good at pumping me up to get to it, whatever it may be.

Nature. Being outside is like this never ending source for inspiration. When I really let myself take a good look at the little things that make up the big picture I can hardly contain myself, I feel like I must get to work. I am inspired by patterns created by light, pebbles on the ground, the smart eye of a robin, anything.

Books. I love to read and often I find my interior world influenced by the voices of authors. I wonder how the author would describe a situation, what it would look like, how that translates into reality. Other times I am influenced by art books, just seeing what other people have accomplished gets me gung ho to do something myself.

Profiles. I know this one is weird, but when I see someone with a unique nose I want to memorize and paint it. Hooked noses always have me eager to get to a canvas. I am not sure why I am so interested in noses and profiles in general, but they really make me feel like painting or photographing.

Other People. When I have a friend, or see a fellow blogger who has been really productive I feel like I should answer the call as well.

Winter. When I am trapped indoors I find that I have two options 1. Be creative 2. Go stir crazy

So, where do you find inspiration to be creative?

PS What do you think of the new header that Eric made for me?