Pablo Picasso said, "Every Child is an Artist...

The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."

But I think he was wrong.

For some weird reason I signed up to work at the Art fair yesterday at preschool.

What was I thinking?

Sixty little under-five's running around with paint and glue.

Yea.

When I got there with little Mo the teacher asked me if I would be willing to do two stations.

Obviously she knew of my incredible artistic skills from the bulletin board I created for the room with cotton balls and popsicle sticks.

So I said, "Sure, no problem."

I think the other volunteers were envious, but that is the price you pay when you are an artist. I'm sure other pre-school volunteers were envious of Pablo, too, back in the day.

And I saw the green-eyed monsters peeking out of the volunteers eyes even more when I was assigned chalk drawings AND coloring.

I am so cool. I can really rock the chalk and the crayons.

So we all headed outside to the little courtyard in the preschool and I quickly found my stations. Sadly my tables were the two closest to the bubble play station. I was a bit worried that such young artists might be more lured to the promise of getting wet with bubbles. I should have known art would prevail.

As little kids walked by my table they stopped, as if magnetized by the promise of artistic creation with me as their mentor.

OK, actually they stopped because I told them they couldn't play with bubbles until they made a chalk picture and colored.

Sure, some of them just looked at me and continued on to the bubbles...but some of them actually listened and stopped. A lot of the kids were mesmerized by my artsy-fartsy technique of using the side of the chalk which we discussed in great detail...
... and one or two of the little ones just hurried through their artwork so they could go play with bubbles.... The coloring part of the assignment was even cooler.
...and I know all the little kids were impressed with my coloring skills...especially because I even shaded my flowers...yea..I told you I am cool!

I felt a little self conscious that no other mothers or teachers or helpers were actually doing their crafts...but I'm thinking it was just because they don't have the same natural artistic talent as I do.

Yea. I'm certain that's it.

I mean, seriously, how can you feel good about teaching playing with playdough? Where is the art in that I ask you? All in all it was a wonderful day.

And it totally built my self-esteem when the sweetest child of all there told me, "Gwamma, you color the best of anybody." And with that totally unbiased observation I leave you now with this thought...

If you've forgotten how to be an artist now you are grown up...

Give me a call.

I will be happy to give you chalk or crayon lesson.

For a small fee.

This amazing class will teach you how to draw with the side of chalk AND shade crayon drawings.

Please call 1-800-DRAW-WITH-JENNY now and you will also get an amazing set of ginsu knives with your purchase.

Sorry I have to run now.

In need to go stand by my phone.

Sigh...