A Little Bit Of An Art Break

The Next Generation of Artist: King Cat and the Creative Spark

Reflections on Support, Community, and a Four-Year-Old’s Vision

Before we dive back into the deeper, heavier parts of my story, I wanted to share something that has been bringing so much light into our home lately.

They say art is a language, and it turns out my nearly five-year-old son, Alex, is already becoming quite fluent.

Finding Our Village: Creative Liberties

I have been incredibly lucky to know the owners of a local art studio here called Creative Liberties. These women had such a profound impact on my daughter when we first moved to this area; they supported her through her own artistic journey, and I’ve stayed in touch to support them as they opened their own space.

Every few months, they do a "Call to Artists," and it has become a beautiful tradition for Alex and me to work on these projects together.

The Self-Proclaimed Artist

Alex is a bit of a contradiction in the best way possible. He is just as likely to be found rolling in the mud or riding his motorcycle as he is sitting quietly with a paintbrush. He doesn’t wait for someone to tell him he’s good—he is his own self-proclaimed artist.

Watching his love for creating grow over the last few months has been one of my greatest joys. He isn’t just "coloring"; he’s building worlds.

The Debut of "King Cat"

Below are a few images from Alex’s very first art show. He created a piece titled "King Cat," featuring a royal feline adorned with a crown, surrounded by whimsical hot air balloon houses.

While "King Cat" didn't head home with a buyer this time, it sat proudly on display at Creative Liberties for a few months. But for Alex, the "win" wasn't about a sale. It was about opening night.

Standing in a gallery, showing his work to people who weren't just Mom or Dad, was transformative. The artists and attendees made him feel so welcomed and special that it fueled a fire in him. He’s only four, and he’s just starting to learn the "how-to" of art techniques, but the exposure to this kind of community is what will truly help him grow.

"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." — Pablo Picasso

I’m doing my best to make sure Alex never forgets that he is one.

Alex's piece called "King Cat"

Alex telling everyone about his art and his creative process.

Mashterworks: Layering Life (and Art) Together

Fast forward to this month, and Alex and I are back at it. We’re currently working on pieces for a show at Creative Liberties called "Mashterworks." The concept is brilliant and a little bit challenging: you take a piece of art found at a thrift store and "add" to it. The catch? You have to leave a certain percentage of the original piece visible. It’s all about working with what’s already there—much like life, I suppose.

The Rainbow Fish Collaboration

For his entry, Alex chose a print of the Rainbow Fish. It’s a classic for a reason; what kid doesn't love those shimmering scales and the message of sharing?

As his "collaborator," I wanted to make sure he had the freedom to experiment without the fear of making a mistake he couldn't fix. Since he’s still new to the feel of a paintbrush, we decided not to paint directly onto the original print. Instead, we used a layering technique:

1. Creation: Alex drew and painted his own original sea life on separate sketch paper.

2. Curation: Once the paint was dry, we cut out his creatures together.

3. Composition: This was the best part. We spent time moving his cutouts around the Rainbow Fish’s world. He got to play "Art Director," testing out different arrangements until he found the perfect spot for every new friend in the sea.

4. Final Polish: We glued them in place, which gave the whole piece a beautiful 3D pop that really brought the underwater scene to life.

Why the Process Matters

Watching him navigate this reminded me that art isn't just about the final product on the gallery wall. It’s about the process of arrangement. It’s about taking something that already exists—even if it’s a bit worn or "thrifty"—and finding a way to make it your own by adding your own colors and shapes.

I think the 3D effect of his "additions" is the perfect metaphor for Alex himself: he doesn't just blend in; he stands out.

Picking Up the Brush: My First Painting in Five Years

The Art of the "Mash-Up" and the Smallest Critic

While Alex was busy building his 3D underwater world, he didn't let me sit on the sidelines. While we were thrifting, he pointed out a flower print and decided: “This one is for you, Mom.”

Looking at the delicate flowers, my brain—likely influenced by the endless loop of kids' movies playing in our house—immediately went to A Bug’s Life. It felt like the perfect canvas for a miniature world of ladybugs, ants, and one very hungry caterpillar.

The Return of the Artist

Before this project, I hadn’t touched a paintbrush in five years.

Five years is a long time for an artist to be still. But between the chaos of life, the "Momma Bear" years, and just trying to survive the chapters I’ve written about before, I never felt like I had the time—or perhaps the head-space—to create.

Getting back into it felt like coming home. I’d forgotten how much I loved the quiet focus of painting. But this time, it wasn't a solitary act.

My Favorite (and Most Honest) Critic

Every single morning, Alex would run to see how much progress I’d made. He didn't just look; he provided a full "critique."

Following his strict creative direction, I had to include Heimlich the caterpillar (his favorite). However, I’ve learned that a four-year-old’s artistic vision is uncompromising. He is currently quite unhappy with me for two specific "oversights":

1. I didn't give the caterpillar his tiny butterfly wings.

2. I didn't recreate the "magic trick" scene where the caterpillar appears to be cut in half.

Apparently, my "Bug’s Life" interpretation is lacking in cinematic accuracy!

Finding the Time

This collaboration did more than just produce a fun thrift-store mashup. it reminded me that the "lack of time" I felt for five years was often just a lack of peace.

Painting with Alex wasn't another chore on the to-do list; it was a fun, shared language between us. It gave me permission to be "me" again—not just the mom or the survivor, but the honors-scholarship artist who still has a lot of colors left to use.

Closing Thought

Sometimes we feel like we have to get everything "right" on the first try, or we’ll ruin the canvas. But Alex reminded me this week that there’s power in layering. You can create your own pieces, move them around, and find exactly where they fit before you commit.

Have you ever tried a "collaboration" project with your kids? How do you handle the balance between giving them creative freedom and helping them with the "technical" side?

or

Is there a hobby or a passion you’ve set aside because "life got in the way"? What would it take for you to pick up your "brush" again today?

Let’s swap some project ideas and encourage each other to find that space again in the comments.