My Kid Could Paint That

You won't find blank canvases or acrylics; in our house, art is where a 5 year old boy sees it. This week it was newspaper cut in the shape of ghosts and landscapes done on legal pads.

A documentary playing in small independent theaters right now poses the question: can a pre-schooler create modern art that will sell for tens of thousands of dollars? Little Marla Olmstead did...or did she? "My Kid Could Paint That" won't answer that question, but will shed light on the problem of parents who push their young children into the media spotlight, and away from just being a kid.

Last week we attended William's very first art show. (Not "his", but rather the St. Ann art show) In William's work we see stories and detail. A bird, a tree, a house, friends or family. He draws his experiences, his wants and sometimes even his fears. We don't see Pollack, or Willem de Frauding. It's a child drawing his childhood. And that's how it should be.

Jack is Back

William has three very important "Jack's" in his young life. First, (and most important) is his cousin Jack Reynolds. Then Jack the beta fish, who we think William named after his cousin, but we're not sure. And then, lastly there is Jack from Hollowscream at Busch Gardens. Or as William calls him, "Jack the Pumpkin Guy". For three years in a row, we've gone to Busch Gardens in Virginia for their Halloween special events. And each year, it's been all about Jack. You see, Jack performs a show, with scarecrow dancers, and pumpkins several times a night in the Ireland area of Busch Gardens. If William had his way, we'd be front row center at each and every performance. At the very least William has to get his picture taken with Jack each day, and shake his hand. The trip this year was bittersweet. It was, as always, much fun for all of us. But it was probably the last Autumn trip to Williamsburg. And so we'll always remember the dancing pumpkin man, and the spell he cast on our entire family.