Saturday, April 10, 2010

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...

post signature



51 comments:

Mary said...

Very sneaky telling the kids that they had to stop at your station before going to the bubbles! Guess you could tell who the "rule followers" were, huh? Looks like a good time!

Mary said...

I just have to add this: I have to keep your blog up when I visit other ones so I can hear your playlist! I'm just singing along to all of the songs while I visit blogs! Thanks for the great music!

Tolentreasures said...

Cute post. Love the pics, your granddaughter..and you..are adorable. How fun!


Cathy

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

I could instantly tell you were the queen of art because you've got the SMOCK on!
60 preschoolers! As my grandmother would say "yoy!"

J said...

Teach me the ways of the chalk!!

Actually, I'm kinda like a little kid. If there had been a playdough station, I would have begged to get to run it so I could play with playdough.

I love that stuff!!!

Pondside said...

I, too, was once an artist of renown. Odd how my following dissipated when my two graduated to big-kid school. I have notices a renewed appreciation of my talent is developing as my grandsons get bigger - this morning on skype I hears "NANA - playdoh"...off to seek the muse....

Cheryl said...

Sounds like I lovely day. I'm sorry but I can't keep sitting here redialing, I have crayons to sharpen. Damn line has been busy since you posted this.

KellyMellyBoBellyBananaFanna said...

Looks like fun! Cute kids!

Kelly

Gretchen said...

What a wonderful blog! I'll certainly be stopping by again very soon. I'm now a follower as well. Thank you for stopping by mine! Have a wonderful day! :)

Ms. A said...

I've got one of my grands right now and I don't have the energy for art, or the phone call.

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

I love that I can read your post and get a good laugh. You really should take your act on the road. So glad you enjoyed your day with your granddaughter and all the other little ones Ms. Picasso!

Jo said...

oh well if the ginsu knives are included then I'm in!!! I am a wee bit envious though ... i'm at that in between stage ... daughter in college ... to old to be a total kid and too young to have them ... colour me a tad jealous!

Carrie @ Cottage Cozy said...

You brave and talented soul you! What fun, really! I know the kids LOVED having you there!

"Alone again.... naturally!" said...

Very sweet. Love the pictures. I am a bit of a rebel though, I colour outside of the lines when necessary! I love to colour and can't wait for my granddaughter to be old enough to colour with me.

Cathy

Brittany said...

By far the best GWAMMA ever! :) Love your coloring! TOO cute!

Anne Lorys said...

There's a special reward for you at the pearly gates, fearlessly tackling all those little bubble-hungry, future Picasso's!

Cute post!

Have a wonderful weekend!
Anne

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I love to color with my kids! Just because they are grown I still give them crayons and coloring books and we have fun! You are a girl after my own heart...and VERY talented!

LuLu Kellogg said...

You are so cool, hands down.

I still color...I refuse to grow up so I will always stay an artist!

Love,
LuLu♥

Emily said...

How fun!! I used to help teach at a preschool. It was the most fun and most tiring thing I've ever done!

grammy said...

How fun was that?
Crayons are old school
like old like us
remember when we could sit and color with a friend for hours
Now the kids snub their noses at crayons and only want markers
which cause me to always be on the lookout for the lost LID

Glad you had fun with your Girlie

Kayren said...

I don't do Play-Doh. Does that make me a bad mom? I hope I haven't scarred my children for life.

You know what else we love other than markers and chalks and crayons and blow-markers, those fusible beads. The ones that are plastic and you put on boards and you iron. We bought the larger square boards you can interlock and they come up with the most amazing creations. We buy the beads by individual color bags of 1000. It's probably our favorite crafty project.

Theresa said...

Oh Jenny, you are my hero! I love doing crafts with the little ones and recently was a substitute in the toddler class. It was fun and I made flower petals out of tissue paper. It was quite fun and I was pretty good at it too. Love the picture of you and little Mo. You have the prettiest smile! Isn't being a Gwamma just the best? Hugs to you and I'll be calling for some lessons:)

Sweet Bee Cottage said...

I keep calling and no one is answering. I really need some coloring help. I'm okay with the chalk, though.

What a fun post. I bet those little ones had a wonderful time. Very sweet.

Connie said...

THAT is my style of art! I can actually do crayons and chalk, although I wouldn't mind being schooled on the fine art of using the side of the chalk!

You must be good to have the paparazzi follow you to the school!

Darling pictures, especially of your sweet granddaughter!

Annesphamily said...

Great post! I am getting back into crafting and I tend have ten thumbs so cross stitch, sewing, quilter are O U T ! But I am going to decorate some hats for my tea party and also make a couple wreaths and door cans! I am getting my supplies together so I can start soon!You made me smile but you do it every time I visit! That grand baby is a doll! I bet she eats you up with a spoon at her school! :)

Wanda..... said...

Your line was busy and I couldn't get through, Jenny. I'll just call back because I want to be your assistant. I have a degree in chalk and crayons...have 9 grandkid's experience behind me! Water colors are my specialty though! :) Loved your post!
♥...Wanda

mrs. c said...

You are a true artist! Of course how can you fail with the chalk....crayons are a little tougher. You use my pre-k trick, first come do my activity and then you get to go somewhere else.
I must admit I love to do all kinds of art with my kids and have many, many cool activities so if you really want to be an Artist Rock Star, let me know! Those other helpers will be so amazed at your expertise that they will bow and chant your name when you enter the room...just a thought! Jen-ny, Jen-ny, Jen-ny I can hear them now!
1

Jojo said...

I have to admit that I make time to sit and color with my grandgirls. It's embarrassing sometimes when we take them out to eat. Some restaurants give out color page menus with crayons and typically I am hijacking the color page and crayons. The girls are always having to remind me that "it's mine, Jojo." There really is an artist in each of us and the older we get the more we color outside the lines.

Rachel Cotterill said...

I would have loved to play with the bubbles! Yeah, I'm a traitor to the cause of chalk and crayons! ;)

Cindy said...

As I say on my blog profile, I still like to color with a new box of crayons so I must still be connected to my inner child artist!

Kat said...

You are so funny - no bubbles til coloring time is over! Love it. Your little granddaughter is just too cute. What a fun grandma you are! Kathy

Tina said...

I want to be a Gwamma like you and my Grandma and my Farmor...how sweet! Nicely done, Jenny my friend. :-) XOXOXI

Deb said...

you are a fun Gwandma....and a good artist as well...I can't tell who was having more fun..you or the kiddos...

Unknown said...

your grand daughters grandma rocks!!!! i love to color, great stress reliever!

Ms Sparrow said...

What patience you must have working with all those kids. You must have a good heart, as well. Thanks for sharing, but I'll pass on the ginsu knives!

Vicki/Jake said...

OH, I MISS YOU!!!!

I'll get it all hooked up this week and THEN life will get back to normal.

Just remember to NOT eat the crayons or it'll stick your ribs together...oh wait, that was the swallowing the gum one, huh..

ok. chew away (o:

Melinda said...

Oh, two of my favorite artist media
well, actually three-I love play-dough too! I would have a ball at these stations.
Some of us were talking the the other day at school and we decide that they DON'T make coloring books like they used to! The ones
out today don't EVEN hold a candle to the ones we had.

Thanks for the lovely comment you left on my current post. You are super and we really appreciate it!

Melinda

ain't for city gals said...

What a sweet and happy post...great way to spend time with that beautiful granddaughter !

Lourie said...

*writes down the number so she won't forget** hehehe

So cool that you got involved and colored with them. And I loved your sneaky little tactic too!

gayle said...

Your comment about having to color before bubbles made me smile..not sure if you really said it or not but I probably would have. My grandson would have went to the bubbles. I am really trying to get him to like coloring but so far he only wants to do it a little bit. I had forgotten about using the sides of chalk.

Leslie said...

Hi Jenny, Thanks for stopping by my blog on Wednesday for my SITS Featured Blogger day. It's taking some time, but I'm making my rounds and trying to meet everyone!

Love your blog and writing style... I agree, you are quite ARTISTIC!

Also, thanks for entering my TARTE Mascara Giveaway. Good Luck!

Unknown said...

Hi Jenny sorry about the link, the baby must have distracted me. I don't know where i put it? I know i put it somewhere. I remember writing it. Because you are a new party for me...
So i just linked it again here...http://lechateaudesfleurs.blogspot.com/2010/04/last-week-craziness.html The link is at the bottom of the page...I will do it right next week. Thank you for not erasing me :)
I am a new follower too and would love for you to follow me too.
Have a great week :)
Gros bisous
Frenchy

Merry Mack said...

Stopping by from SITS! Thanks for the visit to my spot of the blogging world. I love the look of your blog and I love pre-school artists. Fun!

Bossy Betty said...

Good job! You are a patient and good person! It looks like the kids had a blast!

Flat Creek Farm said...

From the looks of it, a great time was had by all. And that last picture is just the sweetest. Thank you for sharing your super-fun day! -Tammy

Catherine Holman said...

Jenny,
You're truly amazing! I've always wanted to work with chalk!
Hugs,
Cathie

Its So Very Cheri said...

Hey funny lady--You always make me laugh. I love coming by here.

My Dad is a real artist-worked for Hallmark Cards but I did not get those talents--oh well--I can still color and chalk rock and craft and decorate away.

Come by my new site and don't forget to RE-SIGN up to follow me.

I have a cool give=a-way that just started last night.

cheri

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

"Gwamma, you color the best of anybody."

It doesn't get any better than this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

^_^

Julia Christie said...

You are hilarious! Really enjoying your posts! Literally LOL!

Smiles again.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

Well, I'm totally drowning in my sense of artistic inadequacy now that I've read this!

It's true!

I was never artistic as a child. At all.

Oy.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Such adorable photos, Jenny! Your Mo is the cutest little girl ..her sweet personality shines through.

I've helped at my daughter-in-law's kindergarten class a few times in the past on visits and it was a lot of fun but so tiring --lol A room full of five year olds is a bundle of energy ready to explode! You did a good job keeping the students attention.

♥ Pat