(Van Gogh)
(Michelangelo)
Last evening, I grandson-sat Daniel (8) and Gabriel (5) while daughter Amy and son-in-law Orte went fancy gallivanting around town.
First, we played a quick game of basketball in the 110 real feel (Neal feel!) Savannah heat, quickly realized we were idiots and ran back inside.
Then we ate a hasitily prepared supper (I like the word “supper” in the summer south so much better than sometimes-pretentious “dinner”), consisting of peanut butter and honey sandwiches, and scrambled eggs and microwaveable bacon. (Okay, so maybe not the healthiest Savannah summer supper choice.)
Afterwards, I broke up a third fight over what level to play a video game (Skylanders? Huh?) and threatened pain if they didn’t stop. (Do grandchildren anywhere take grandparents’ threats seriously?)
Finally I suggested drawing pictures. Daniel immediately bought into the peace ploy, quickly pulling out the tools.
We went to work.
D and G:
D:
G:
Me:
To be honest, I think I felt more pressure since I teach as an adjunct at an art school (SCAD–Savannah College of Art and Design). Allright, so maybe I teach ESL (English as a Second Language) there. But still, it’s an art school.
Daniel’s first (of nine pieces!) finished work of the evening:
“Spyro Super Fire Balls.”
Gabriel’s first (and only): “Morning Apple Orchard” (which looks a little like “Spyro Super Fire Balls”):
(“This makes my hand hurt,” he exclaimed, upon completion–and immediately lay down under the dining room table to rest.)
My first work, “Spotted Dog with a Bad Attitude”:
The muses inspired, and the art continued to roll out.
Daniel: “Let me brainstorm on what to call my next one.” (Two second pause.) “Sharp Tooth Spyro!” And so it was.
“Mega Bolt Cynder”:
“Destroyer Horn Spyro”:
Daniel wasn’t the only one the muses attended to:
“Green Tree Circle of Life”:
“Self Portrait”:
When we finished, Daniel and I curated an art gallery in the sun room. (We barely heard Gabriel as he kept yelling from the playroom: “Stop drawing! Stop drawing!”)
At one point Daniel looked at me and said, “This is SO much fun! Don’t you agree, Abu?”
My artistic heart melted.
