art:  noun; the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.

Now that my 2008 sessions are coming to a close, I’ve had time to take more snapshots of my own little one :)  It’s so good for the soul, and it reminds me of why I do what I do.  She’s quite the budding artist these days…asking to paint or color (or both) many times a day.  Of course, I’m more than willing to oblige :)  I was very interested in the arts as a child - my parents were perceptive enough to see this and enrolled me in private art lessons while I was still young.  I have wonderful memories of creating art as a young girl, and can still remember the pride I felt when my mom had my first piece matted and framed.  Of course, looking at it now, you wouldn’t be too impressed, lol!  BUT I’m betting that because I was HER little girl, my mom saw that piece of art as being of more than ordinary significance. 

It’s such an important thing to encourage the artistic nature of our children.  Whether it’s coloring, painting, embroidery, sewing, scuplting, decoupage, photography, :) …the possibilities are endless.  There are so many ways to engage their creative sensibilities, even at a young age.  A book that has become a great source of inspiration for me is The Creative Family by Amanda Blake Soule.  Amanda also has a blog with a strong following - check it out and you’ll see why.   Her book has inspired me to try embroidering with Charlotte this winter – something I never would have thought of trying before.  I’m imagining lots of cold winter mornings spent quietly teaching, stretching her mind and hands…connecting with her in a different way than before. 

Enough of the rambling!  Here’s a few snapshots of my little artist at work over the last month :)