I have been trying to have more art in my home. I want my children to grow up and appreciate beautiful things. But art can be expensive sometimes. There are so many paintings I would love to have hang in my home. I am so blessed to have many pieces from my husband’s grandmother. And over the years I have had some of my children’s art work framed and hung in our home. I want them to know I think their art is of value as well. Over the past couple months I have been working on our art wall, trying to collect different mediums. One of our favorite pieces was painted by my brother. It’s inspired after an artist. My brother has been following the idea that anyone can be an artist. Everyone loves the piece of art containing Bobba Fett (“Bobba Fett, where?”) that my brother made for my husband. I have been wanting to give my children a chance to try painting to see if it’s something they might like. Clearly it’s in our genes. So might as well try to nurture that.
I finally broke down and bought some watercolors for our family. I thought it would be fun to ask my kids to paint a certain image as an exercise. I showed them a picture that Grandma had painted. I explained how I found a scrap of newspaper with that same image that she must have used. To make this activity a little bit more dear to my heart I chose a landscape that is dear to my heart. And images I wanted in my Art Gallery Wall.
The sacred grove is where my faith believes the boy Joseph Smith prayed to God and had a vision. (You can read more about that here if you would like) I have never been there but someday I will take my family there. We talked about why this grove was so dear to us and then I let me kids start painting. You can pick any thing that inspires you to share with your kids. Or better yet ask them what inspires them.
I loved watching Yoda paint and sing to himself. He love using the Reeves grown up watercolors. It was fun to blend them and make your own colors. I really enjoyed painting myself. And this would be a perfect Sunday activity. You can paint a nature scene that is dear to your heart or a place you have always wanted to go to. We also painted Temples another day (I’m still working on mine) My boys really loved it. Georgiana did too, but mostly painted her face. We gave her the cheap watercolors to use. I loved talking with my children as we painted. I find that it is much easier to share what is on your heart when you are doing something with your hands. I love that my kids were able to be creative and do there own things. And they loved it. They couldn’t wait to paint again.
I plan on choosing an image of the sacred grove to get framed and then hang up. And I also want my boys to try for a sunset picture of Huntington Beach with the pier. I love having art that remind me of home. And of course there will be plenty of time for them to choose whatever their hearts want to paint as well. I’m just trying to get my art wall finished up soon. I wish Grandma was still around and could maybe teach the boys or myself some tips on painting. I’m sure her heart is happy as she is looking down on us now seeing her great grandkids work on their talents.
Doesn’t Yoda look so proud of himself? And after a great week of watercolor painting I saw some of my favorite bloggers on Instagram at a conference Michaels Makers Summit. And they had watercolor classes there. I’m not going to lie. I was a little jealous. But guess what? I just saw that there is free online class right now! {Squeal!} I am excited to work on this new skill with my family. I don’t know what will come of it, but I know having more art in our lives will bless our family.
What do you think of our finished work? Gandalf painted the Snowflake Arizona Temple. Just image how we will improve after we take those watercolor classes. I am really excited to try them out. Pick up some watercolors and give it a go. I promise you will have fun. Especially if you paint with your family. Join our family as we #Hangoriginalart in our home. Leave a message what you would want to paint!
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