Merry Christmas Mom and Dad!

This grandma had me work with all 3 of her children's children to create very unique paintings for each family.  Since I was so busy with Christmas projects, it was a good thing we started early in September.  My first family was 3 girls, 8 year old "O", 6 year old "L" and 2 year old cherub "E".      We knew mom liked trees, flowers, and the color fuschia....so with that knowledge, I thought a modern art cherry blossom tree that could involve all 3 girls would be a good fit.  It turned out to be a very striking painting!   I love the finished product!  Don't you?  Here's how we did it....

First up was 6 year old "L" working on the backdrop...you can see little "E" already very excited to join in.  ha ha!  She was diverted after this shot until a little later.   I love to see an excited artist!

Next I outlined the tree trunk and "L" filled it in....

and then, we brought in "E".  Some little ones do not appreciate hand painting messes.   "E" was not one of them!   She loved it!  Grandma was a great help too!

Since her hand prints would be a background color, I made sure that the two colors she used were only used by her, so mom and dad know where "E"'s contribution is when they see the finished project.  Pale pink and white....

Grandma you were so helpful!

Loving it!  Happy painter!

Now I had 8 year old "O" work to fill in some more color to the tree trunk.....

Then the two older girls began to fill the tree with blossoms.  It was a lot to fill.

   Both girls worked so well!

Now a few blossoms on the ground....

and then the bright pinks for the blossoms...we worked on a few different types of shapes and then settled in to fill the tree....you can see little dots that I placed so the girls had an idea of where to paint their flowers.

Filling in my dots!

It was fun to watch the girls see the painting take shape.

Now I had "O" add detailing with black paint to pop the flowers and give them more dimension.   I asked if she would like to stop, but was happy to hear she wanted to keep painting!

Just WOW!  This painting is gorgeous!

GIRLS!  You have done a beautiful job!   I'll see "O" one more time to add more dark pinks and work on the tree trunk detailing....but so far, so good!   Such a cute wrap up picture too!

Time for Session 2 with "O"!    

Today we added in LOTS more of the darker flowers....on the ground...

and on the top of the tree...if you look closely you can see dots where I marked flower spots for "O" to fill in.

It was such a nice afternoon.  "O" was a dedicated painter and we had fun chatting too!

Looking GOOD!   Now some last details....

Adding in some more dimension with the flowers.  

Some blacks and grays to fill them in....

Looking LOVELY!

Next we framed it (Grandma found the perfect frame!)  And then Grandma brought back the other sweet girls for the photo shoot!   Such adorable girls!  And such a gorgeous and striking painting!   Merry Christmas mom and dad!