Like a Child

by

“It took me four years to paint like Raphael but a lifetime to paint like a child.” Pablo Picasso

Note: This post first appeared 10 years ago in my former blog. Ingrid has grown but the message hasn’t changed. It’s worth repeating. Oh, and I apologize for the crappy photos.

baby-lying-on-leaves
Detail: Willy Ben Resting in the Leaves

I spent my early art career years as an illustrator, a time when I could render anything with near photographic precision. When my kids were little I moved on to portraits, mostly because I loved painting their beautiful little faces.

But I didn’t love painting other people’s faces, that was work. More than work, it was gut twisting stress. Inner Critic weighed heavy on my shoulder. If you’re not familiar with Inner Critic then stop reading this right now and go make something spectacular–because there’s nothing stopping you. Really. Go away now. Shoo!

But, if you’re like any number of creatives and have this weight on your shoulder, this little voice in your head, this invisible something bitch-slapping your ego whenever you walk in the studio–then read on.

Because Ingrid has something to say.

Ingrid is my grandniece, the daughter of my nephew. She’s a hunter of monkeys, a discoverer of unicorns. A child who sees the world through a child’s eyes–with no apologies.

child's-pink-marker-drawing

She’s three years old and you can learn something from her. The painting over there– That’s Rapunzel. With pink hair. Ingrid made this right around her third birthday. Which blows me away because not only does she have all the facial features–including ears–she’s got them pretty much where they’re supposed to be.

But where are the arms? WHO CARES? Ingrid KNOWS she forgot them. She pointed that out herself and said she would add them after her nap.

After her nap. The wisdom of the universe condensed to three little words.

Which shows this child has her priorities straight.

I’m going to have a chat with Inner Critic today. Maybe bribe her with some chocolate. Or zonk her out with a meditation. Or just tell her to go to hell. Then I’m going down to the studio and I’m going to paint. Not going to think about it. Not going to analyze it. Just scrape & scratch, scribble and push paint around. I’m going to HAVE FUN.

And when I’m done, maybe I’ll take a nap.


OK, as I explained up above, this post originally appeared in my old blog nearly 10 years ago. Ingrid is almost a teenager now and is quite the artist. Like many kids her age, her current artistic focus tends towards her favorite anime characters. She works both in traditional paint media as well as digital. Here’s a few samples of recent work. As for pink hair? Well, I guess that hasn’t changed!

painting-on-canvas-by-ingrid
digital-anime-sketch-by-ingrid
anime-marker-sketch-by-ingrid

0 Comments

Susan Lobb Porter

Hey, welcome to my blog. I'm an artist, writer and sometimes a wise-ass observer of life. Thoughts are my own because really--who else would claim them?

Archives

Categories

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This
Verified by MonsterInsights