Modern Tree in Gorgeous Colors!

It was such a treat to get to know this little lady and her family!   

She was my first artist to have sessions at Tribeca Coffee House in Watertown. 

 It was so relaxing and fun to meet her for her sessions there.   They have a great back room, full of light, perfect for a calm and fun paint session.  Here's the location that you can choose to meet for your sessions:

                                                                 Mom can order a coffee treat while the kiddos paint!

 "P" is 7, going into second grade and getting a bedroom update, moving from little girl to big girl look, so she chose out a beautiful, modern piece to create, that was also feminine!  I loved her ideas!

The first time we met, we created the colorful sky.  We used a large brush and intermixed her choice colors to make a calming backdrop for the rest of the painting!

It was a great session to get to know her!   I knew we would have fun creating this project because she was so happy and excited to paint!

For session 2, we got into the really fun stuff!  Color!  I had sketched in a tree and "x" where we would add our foliage.   Here "P" is using a brush to outline in paint, my pencil sketches.....

Now that the tree was placed, we began with the color!  "P" really loved this!  She didn't want to end this session!  She also got very excited as we continued because she started to be able to visualize her end result....

Adding and building in more and more beautiful colors!   So much fun!

Her concentration was great!  We kept up the phrase- "paint in a circle!"

 I LOVE THIS PICTURE!  She looks so proud!  And should be!  In fact, as we painted, she said, "I've never painted anything this pretty before!"   Working with "P" was so wonderful!  She was so excited to paint, was a wonderful listener.  I loved just chilling with her!

For sessions 3 and 4 we continued to build on the color, and fill in the painting for a beautiful result.  We also chatted about school, all the fun she was having this summer, and what other art projects she liked to do. She is such a sweet girl!  She also had a great eye for knowing what would look good where.  I would let her choose out color locations, and she did a great job!  I always agreed with her plans, and for good reason...just look at this painting come together.

  

We wrapped up our last session of final touches back at my house.   We worked on building up a few of our "leaves" and touched up the tree a little.   The last session is always bittersweet for me!   Watching these kiddos paint such wonderful artwork is so exciting, and when it is time to have the painting go with them, I'm so attached...to the project and to the kid!    Glad I take lots of pictures!

 Enjoy your masterpiece sweet girl!

Painting and Play dates....So beautiful, it's faint worthy.....

Before I started this project, I would smile just thinking of what this session would be like.  It did not disappoint!    I have known this particular artist for a long time, like "I have changed his diapers" long time!   Also, since as long as he can remember, my son and "C" have been pretty close buddies!

"C's" mom chose out an idea for him that would be hanging up in the master bedroom...a beautiful black and white flower concept.   On the day he came to paint (and play), I was prepared....prepared to know that while this kiddo would like to paint, he liked to play with my son quite a bit more!   So, we did a painting/ playdate and it worked perfectly.    The pictures in this blog really tell the story very well so I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed these 2 goof balls!

I had already gotten a charcoal background ready and sketched in the flower positions, so when "C" first arrived, we agreed to paint ONE flower, take a break to play, and then paint ONE more, and take another play break!

Sketched in and ready to paint...

"C" began the process with an enraptured audience..... of one (see below how thrilled the support team was).   "C" did an awesome job with listening how to use the paint brush, how to make the paint strokes, and how to blend in the shadowing.   When he started to outline his flower, I could see his excitement...and his supporter, "E" was pretty impressed too.

Filling in the petals....

Tracing the flower

One guy is seriously concentrating while the other is angrily looking at mom....the injustice of this "playdate!"

One flower down.  WHEW!  Looking very nice!  Both boys agreed. "Do you want to do another flower right now."

 Soooo...."Ummm....Can't we play now??????"

Celebrating the play break......

 Okay, we had lunch, we played, now time for flower 2....and, special effects.......like laser help?

 "E" took over the camera.   "C" was definitely enjoying this session more since he saw his first result.   "These look pretty good!"   And "E" agreed, "Yeah, you're a pretty good painter."   The next few pictures were taken by "E".....

Shadowing and blending

  More Shadowing......

 Ummm....picture taker and painter....we're losing you!!!!

 Okay, back on track....

 Filling in the middle-You can see my circle for him to fill here.....

Okay, NOW it's getting serious (well, actually not- but it did get funny!)   "Here, wear these!"
 "These make me feel like an artist."
 Me, "You are an artist."  
"No, like it is my real job."

Looking serious

Now a laser gun is added to the mix

Uh Oh!  Laser gun is not helpful...... "E" was told by "C" at this point, "You're breaking my concentration!"

 In spite of all the fun, flower 2 turned out great!

 Play break again!

And finally, flower 3.....I thought we would outline in black first this time....maybe change it up a little, but my change up did not excite.   The boys offered on their own accord to finish this one but by the time we were right about here "C" said, "Ugh, I wish I was done with this flower already."   And "E" totally agreed.   So maybe play dates and painting don't mix...or play dates and boys painting flowers when a fort has been built in the other room.

 "E" took the camera again and ended up taking multiple pictures of this toy eagle while the boys discussed trading toys and the benefits of this eagle toy for awhile.   I only included one of his eagle photos for memory sake.

 Last bits of shadowing "C"!  Almost done!

 BOYS!  Isn't it beautiful!??    "YES!  IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL WE'RE GOING TO FAINT."   I have to say, while I've helped paint lots of beautiful projects with kiddos, these were my first fainters.

 Dramatic....

 I agree boys!   Although I did not faint, I still have to say excellent job "C"!  I had so much fun with you and "E" and all your funny antics.   Love you both!  And totally love your amazing painting!