COLLABORATIONS WITH GRANDCHILDREN
THESE ARTWORKS ARE FUN, JOINT ENDEAVOURS OF THE ARTISTIC KIND BETWEEN OUR GRANDCHILDREN AND “PAPA” (ME). THEY ARE JUST TOO FUN NOT TO SHARE!
THE YOUNG’INS SOMETIMES JUST GIVE PAPA A DRAWING AND I’M INSPIRED TO PAINT IT - WHICH USUALLY INVOLVES SOME SORT OF TRANSFERRING PROCESS TO CANVAS. IF ANY IS INSTRUCTION IS GIVEN IT IS TO SIMPLY DRAW A PICTURE ON A CANVAS MAKING SURE THEIR DRAWING FILLS THE WHOLE SPACE. PAPA’S JOB IS TO PAINT IT.
PAPA DOESN’T WATCH THE DRAWING TAKE SHAPE; WITH THE OLDER ONES, NORAH AND ANNA, HE DOESN’T CHANGE A THING; HE ONLY PAINTS WHAT IS PUT BEFORE HIM — THOUGH HE IS GIVEN FREE RIEGN FOR ALL THAT IS BETWEEN THE PENCIL LINES. FOR THE YOUNGER ONES……WELL, SOMETIMES A LITTLE HELP IS NEEDED. :-D
“Shark” 18x24 by Isaac (4) and Papa, February 2025
When Isaac handed me a partially folded and crumpled piece of paper with his drawing of a some sort of creature on it, right away I could see there was going to be much joy in putting it on a good sized canvas.
So I asked him what it was.
“A shark” he said.
“Oh, is this the fin?”, I asked, pointing to the large protrusion on its back.
“No, that’s the tail. And these are the sharp teeth.” he added pointing to the mouth area, clearly proud of the terrifying way he had depicted them. I praised his efforts but purposefully asked him no more questions regarding the shark, save to inquire whether he wanted me to paint it for him. It was a yes and the game was on.
(“Isaac’s Original Shark Drawing” approx. 5x7) It is easy to see from Isaac’s drawing that Papa took a few liberties. Once you get past the transference grid lines, you can see that the back tooth (teeth?) became gills, the growths on the chin were moved back and became the shark’s pectoral fins, along with the strange testicular thing dangling below its neck. A couple of lines were removed; likewise the scribbles— where I suspect his plan was to shade the entire shark with a pencil.
I still want to ask Isaac about the “thing” (orange in the painting) inside the cavern in the shark’s nether region. Is it a piece of food in its stomach? Or perhaps, given that its shape is similar to the shark itself, is it a pup in utero?
Without doubt it was a pleasure to paint Issac’s shark and it simply confirmed for me that, sometimes (not always), demonstrating to the little ones that “a grownup” would LOVE to take their artwork to the next level is an encouragement to them.
“The Coming Night” 10x8 By Anna (6) and Papa, February 2025
Anna wanted me to paint her sunset drawing depicting the descent of the night. “I want the night to be coming down”, she said as she put her hand flat in front of her chin and lowered it slowly emphasizing her idea for Papa. She also wanted the hills to be dark and we talked a little bit about hills appearing a bit lighter the further away they are. The cozy house has a warm fire inside and the lights are on, shining out a window in the door. She has the idea of the shingles on the roof having a pattern though the technical side of that is still emerging. I’m told the round grey things on the left are “stepping stones” on a dirt path. They are a nice abstract touch especially placed within the forms of the hills.
To me this a very warm and wonderful piece, showing some nice understanding of perspective through the overlapping of elements — especially utilizing the shapes the hills in a very natural flowing form. She seems to see the importance of the contrast of light and dark as well. And, of course, Anna loves the idea that she has somehow told a simple story though art.
“With Gracie” 16X20 By Anna (5) and Papa, August 2024
This is Anna (front) and her cousin Norah with Gracie, Norah’s favourite horse at her riding lessons. Yes, I did ask Anna if she was sure about the barn windows. She was. She did ask me to fix a little spot with the back fence on the left where the pencil lines dipped down and got entangled in the reins Norah is holding. It’s all her drawing though. She drew the mountains in about 10 seconds; likewise the snow line. She wanted to make sure I differentiated between the back and front bottom hem of her dress and that I didn’t miss Norah’s hand on Gracie’s nose. My favourite part is the flat underbelly of the horse. Painting this was so fun for Papa!
“The Farmhouse” 16x20 Norah (7) and Papa, August 2024
This is Norah’s farm painting completed with the colours she chose for each element of her picture. I really am surprised at the speed which these drawings are completed.
First off, don’t you dare think those are Llamas there. They are horses with specially chosen colours. Clearly the horses are more important than being able to fit through the door of the house. Norah wanted a rustic red house with those “things on the roof”. Shingles apparently. Part of the horse shelter had to be bright red. Before Norah started her drawing she wanted a short lesson on drawing rabbit holes so it looked like the bunny was coming out of the hole. She got the idea right away. I absolutely love the gargantuan sunflowers. I’m hoping she’ll try a field of those one day. Oh, and that is a party hat the unspecified person is wearing, not a toque.
“Eleven Bunnies and a Deer” 16x20 Norah (7) and Papa, August 2024
Norah wanted to do a painting for a birthday gift for her cousin, Anna. This masterpiece is what she drew. I love that each rabbit is doing something different, each is a unique character with a unique expression. Being true to these expressions was challenging but very exciting as I saw the piece coming together. Norah also picked the colour of each animal. My only contribution was when I asked her if I could add a tuft of grass here and there. Norah drew the piece at the end of the summer ‘24 just before her family drove home, and I painted it shortly after they left; Norah has yet to sign her artwork.
“Sturgeon Fishing with Dad”, 12x12 by August (4) and Papa, in August 2024
This gem was by Norah’s little brother August. Ya gotta love this piece. The challenge for me was that August had sketched this on regular paper, and on 2 different sheets: the boat, the waves, the sky, and the fishing line and lure on one sheet, and the sturgeon and more waves on another.
I selectively carbon-paper copied both of his original purple felt pen drawings onto one canvas. As the waves did not touch the boat and were located way down at the bottom corner of the page, and the fishing line snaked and angled all over the water, sky, people and sturgeon, a little more help was given than I typically offer to the older grandkids. The white-ish lines in the sky were somewhat less subtle in August’s original sketch; they represent the wind. There were also a couple of scribbly things in the boat that August told me were a cushion he sat on, and a pail. As both these scribbles made the boat look like it had gigantic holes, we opted to leave them out and let the viewer imagine their whereabouts in the boat. I love it that August got the fishing rod perfect with the reel and the fishing line guides down the shaft of the pole. That’s his dad’s hairy arm pointing to the sky. Brilliant!!!!
“Emet” 10x8, Isaac (3) and Papa, September 2024
Not to miss out on the action, Anna’s little brother Isaac had to submit a piece for Papa to paint. Papa had to help a fair bit with this one.
Isaac drew it directly onto the canvas. The shape of the head I followed exactly; likewise the hair, except the hair Isaac drew went all the way around the head. The neck was a bit narrower and did not flare at the top. The eye balls are accurate in regards to the size and shape Isaac drew, though his were simply many wild, circular scribbles. The nose too was a circular scribble and at the angle you see in the painting. The mouth was the same flat line you see in the finished product.
So I asked Isaac what it was.
He laughed like I should know. “It’s a whale, Papa.”
“Oh, nice. It kinda looks like a person too.”
Issac thought for a second and looked around the table. “It’s Emet” (his 2 year old brother sitting next to him).
And so it is….