The rainbow maker, Day 55

Children have an amazing ability to use their imaginations to create anything they want. As I watched my son create rainbows today in the carport I realized that this ability never goes away, we just stop believing in it. Yesterday one of my students came over and he interviewed me for a business class he is taking over the summer. One of the interview questions was about what would I redo in my life if I had the opportunity. I told him I would take myself more seriously as an artist and really focus my energy on making my work and not bother with all the other little things that are constantly eating up my time. I thought about my answer today and I realized that right now (this very moment) I am doing just that. I also thought that the question should be asked in a different way, since change is still possible (I am not dead yet). The question I would like to answer is: What do you want to change right now in your life and how will you implement the changes? This question to me is about living in the present versus focusing on the past. I am happy to report that I am answering the question by living the answer. I don't mean to make it sound like it's easy, because it's not, it's really hard work. I doubt my process constantly. But as I watched my son make rainbows today it reminded me that I still have the power to create anything. I just have to believe that I can do it and then take the steps to make it happen.

Art, Day 32

When my son makes "art" he just makes it. He experiments with materials and how he applies them to the paper. He doesn't over analyze it before he places a mark on the page. When he is done sometimes I ask him what his piece is about. There is always a story behind it. Some adventure that he has gone on or something he has seen. He works intuitively. Sometimes they end up in the recycle bin but usually they end up in his "portfolio" where all his work is stored. He does a little (or a lot) everyday. I love watching him work because it reminds me of where we all come from. A place where anything you do is just fine, because you did. It doesn't need to be labeled "good" or "bad," it's just yours and that is enough. I would like to get back to that place. To do something for the sheer joy of doing it without my judgement interfering.

Not a girl, Day 21

I have never cut my son's hair. . It has several shades of red, gold, and blond and it is just too beautiful to butcher. He is constantly being mistaken for a girl. He could be wearing all "boy" clothes and people still think he is a girl. I am even a little surprised when men with long hair make the mistake as well. Not that it really matters...he doesn't care one bit, yet. We recently read a book about how babies are made and in it they listed all the similarities between boys and girls- but long hair was definitely not a characteristic that they could share.

Patience, Day 20

Today it took every ounce of my son's patience not to blow on the dandelion so that I could photograph him. I too had to be patient with him, to let him just do his kid thing and blow on the dandelions when he needed to, even if I didn't "get the shot." He and I are both constantly practicing our patience with each other. I realized today that this is still a tough lesson even as an adult.

Nico, Day 14

Stains on the fingers act as a diary for the day's activities.