I have been in a dizzy-headed love affair with my children since their conception. I’m not even talking about their physical conception, but even before then, when they were just an idea of person. Since they became real and named people, I have become Radioactive Rebecca, glowing with a ridiculous amount of love and pride. After 36 months of silence, I am finally getting to hear who Max is from his own mouth. What a thrill! And now, art has opened up another avenue of communication between us that is even more more visceral.
Max’s big present for Christmas this year was an easel. I wasn’t sure how much instruction he would need. My only reference point was teaching him how to color which took quite a bit of effort. I remember wanting not to write on his first scribble, but it took many attempts to show him how to hold, how to press down and how to move his hand with crayon.
After filling his cups with paints and putting in corresponding paint brushes, I turned around to get my camera. And voila: he was painting with big, bold brushstrokes. I’m not sure if I have mama goggles on right now, but to me, it was the most beautiful sight ever. His use of color, his fearless self-assurance, the essence of who he is right now were captured right there on a piece of paper. Is that not what great art does?
He titled his first piece Fish.
His second piece, my favorite, which he is seen painting in this video is called A Horsie, A Cat, A Dog, An Apple.
I bask in his brilliance.
Sometimes when I make a video I imagine myself old and gray and watching it over and over again. I hope my videos will be compatible to whatever the future technology provides.
Max, you are a great artist! What beautiful paintings. How exciting to see the blank canvas fill up with luscious colors. Picasso, step aside. Rebecca, treasure this video. How rare to capture this first experience on film. It will give you many moments of joy.