Childhood Art Therapy
One of the things I do to both pass the time and to bribe my daughter to eat all her veggies and such is drawing; drawing as a pretext for storytelling. Storytelling is probably the only thing that truly differentiates humans from animals (or so I guess — we’ve made such false assumptions before) and is certainly what holds cultures together and defines them. Sometimes I illustrate the process of creating the food we’re eating. For example, a few nights ago we had a dish that included wild rice and shrimp, so we were talking about Ojibwa culture and what wild rice (manoomin) meant to them, as well as the process of de-veining a shrimp and preparing it for human consumption.
That said, admittedly it’s generally just funny little drawings and stories on junkmail envelopes… I must have hundreds of these lying around the house (that’s both a reflection on how much we draw and how little I clean I suppose, heh).
A friend of ours is having twins and her baby shower is today, so we used these scraps to make her a card over breakfast.
October 13th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Where/when did your snake/lizard characters originate? I find them charming.
October 13th, 2007 at 10:50 am
Lol, seriously, I love you. You’re such a cool daddy.
October 13th, 2007 at 11:59 am
Your such a great artist and Daddy! I love how your scribbles are better then i could do on my best day trying.
October 13th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Best.Parent.Ever. I’m ashamed and inspired.
October 13th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
aww… the quote on that card is so cute.
Shannon, I love how apparent your love for your daughter is.
October 13th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Thank you for starting this blog - I find things you say and your values to be right there w/ how I am feeling at this time in my life. I am SOOO ready to begin changing my life and being happy… The time has finally come to give myself some happiness and stop caring about what others might think. I’ve always felt that way but lately the urge is unable to be contained.
You seem like a great dad! Your daughter is so lucky!
October 14th, 2007 at 12:23 pm
The card is great
October 14th, 2007 at 2:20 pm
great concept for a card… hallmark material
hahaha…
October 14th, 2007 at 5:18 pm
Cute, as always
October 14th, 2007 at 6:58 pm
I love your art, even the stuff on the junk mail is great
don’t ever stop blogging.
October 14th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
you know…. you have many options with those characters you paint, among them you could:
write a children’s book and illustrate it yourself and have it published.
create your own line of greeting cards wtih those characters
That would definitely be one way to diversify
October 14th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Shannon, why don’t you use your talents for good instead of bad? Publish a book. Create a greeting card company. Tell stories to children at the library. Teach school. Why not step into the light and away from the darkness? Of course, I am only a troll living under the bridge to you and yours so you won’t listen.
October 14th, 2007 at 10:20 pm
If I didn’t say it before, I will say it publicly-thanks for making the cards, to both of you! They were very much appreciated by all parties.
October 14th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
Bribery with Art. Genius
October 15th, 2007 at 10:15 am
I remember you drawing with my son several years ago. I think I still have the one drawing, it’s on the back of some paperwork for the porsche. Maybe I should scan it and send it to you, because your “drawing with children” skills have definitely improved!
October 15th, 2007 at 10:40 am
I adore the card.
I hope your friend has a gentle pregnancy and that the twins are born healthy and strong. Bless.
October 15th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
i run a charity that uses art therapy to help tibetan refugee children tell their stories. it works wonders for them!
October 17th, 2007 at 4:00 am
That card is great LOL!
November 2nd, 2007 at 12:16 pm
neat! what a fun idea!