When engineers try art..

Volunteering at daughters school for the Art program this year. Today was the first class from the masters to the wannabe art instructors.

It was interesting. The only downside was a two hour delay going to work and that made work way too hectic.

At first there was a short introduction to the artist and his particular type of art. Then all the parent volunteers were given an hour to try the concept themselves.

Our work then went up on the wall for the kids to see.

The artist ? Henri Mattisse
The art type ? gouaches découpés (painting with scissors)

No pencils were allowed. We were given a glue stick, some scissors and a range of colored paper.

We had to cut shapes and stick them on the paper to create art.

Some of the parents who are doing this for the third or fourth time came up with really good work.

This was daddy narayanan's first attempt..




It did get a few looks and positive comments for the rainbow concept. Some parents did point out that the rainbow colors were not in VIBGYOR order and I beat the ability to circle the ring behind the saturn to death by putting way too many saturns.

Told them that it was artistic license!


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Art makes an entry

Decided to buy the kids some art material (Drawing/Painting paper), paints, color pencils (the whole thing was less than 10 bucks) and let them have some fun this week.




It has been a busy week with me going out of control trying to juggle work, sinus problems and the kids.

The materials were a good idea. As an added bonus we are now decorating the shelves in the garage with the kid's art work. Kind of their own showcase to show their friends and visitors how they are doing.







We never realized how good the little one was with a paint brush. As a rule of thumb two things have been banned inside the house for as long as we can remember

a. water/oil paints
b. china clay (playdough)

for fear of ruining the carpet or floor.

That ban has been lifted now. The kids will be allowed to paint from now on instead of just draw with crayons.

The parenting learning goes on..



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Another year flies by

The girls turned 7 and 4 respectively and yes, we had a great birthday party at a place called "Color Me Mine" where they got to paint little ceramic plates, cups etc. with their friends.

Next week we get to relax a little bit before Daddy and Mommy have their Joint birthday party!

Dad will turn 37 and Mom will watch Dad turn 37(Mom has remained 29 for a few years now and will maintain the status quo!)

Leaving you with a few pictures that capture the essence of our week..











On the funny side, the little one asked me if it was possible for her to be three again. I said "No. you can only grow older!" and she was very disappointed.

"I don't want to grow bigger and bigger and then die! I just want to say small!" she said. I do not know where this is coming from and will have to understand her reasoning. It did bother me that a three year old (er, four year old) is concerned about growing up and dying.

Told her that only her mom can tell her how to freeze age. "Daddy grows older and older, but mommies don't right?" and she agreed with that!!!!

Mom has no idea that she is going to be quizzed about her methods, on the way to school tomorrow..


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Out of control

The art



and the artist




posing for the notorious secret Video/photographer..(aka little terror)

Found 73 photos/videos on the iphone today, all taken by the little one. Half the time we weren't aware that we were being taped (err iphoned!).

We had a quiet weekend. Basically it translates to "I slept through most of it to avoid itching myself to death!"

8

8

8

8 is the magic number!



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Weekend Photos

The weekend was spent in San doing a traditional folk dance performance as part of a group of eight, a lot of quiet gardening and Jr. doing a coconut shell decoration.

The dance performance was impressive and so is the organization for which they did the dance. A separate post on India TEAM later.

As for gardening...





and for the artwork..




The week that started with a scare has ended nicely..

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Wax hands

Spent some time at our local Memorial Park to check out the Cherry Blossom festival. We did end up buying two things after promising each other that this would be a "window shopping only time". One was a pen stand made of nuts and bolts welded together. They had a stall full of arts and crafts made from welded metal pieces.




The other item was a wax hand! They make a painted impression of your hand in wax by alternately dipping it in molten wax and water. After seven or eight dips in wax they just pull the hand out effortlessly, let it dry, dip it in some colored wax and there you have it!




Jr. managed to keep her hands in position in the hot wax pretty well. The little one was not allowed because of the "5 years old" minimum age requirement. We never seem to learn. Before saying yes to one child for any activity, check minimum height, weight, age, size requirements for the other child!

Another April weekend whizzes past!


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