Of Paints and Brushes and Owls and Stuff

This post was also published on Another Kick at the [Paint] Can.  Why?  Because I'm a mom, and I like to multitask.... a lot!
When I started painting, it was for myself.  I wanted to try to capture the images that floated through my mind; and I wanted to play with acrylics, and learn how to use that medium.  When I looked at works of art by illustrators like Rose Cowles,  something in my heart would long to do that too.


So, I bought my first paint set with my Christmas money.  I've probably already mentioned that in an earlier post, but it really was a pivotal moment for me.  I'd been aching to get my hands on the paint, the canvas, the brushes, the ideas, for over a year.  When the time came to jump in, I was ready. 



Then came another pivotal moment: when I realized that I could make my paintings into cards and sell them to help raise awareness and funds for our local Down syndrome society.  I approached the Board, and asked if I could. The Board was on board (awful pun intended), and so The Little Gull Project began. 

To say I am very proud of The Little Gull is an understatement. 

I'm very proud.  But, I'm also quite aware that my paintings are at the experimental stage.  There are a lot of wonderful artists out there, like Diane Duda, and I'm happy to learn from their creations.  Dianne uses text in many of her paintings, and that inspired me to try it too.  Take this little guy, for example:



This painting is an experimental project on paper. What do I like about this painting?  I'm pretty happy with the text collaged onto the owl's belly.  I think I could have done better with the bleeding hearts.  I should have used canvas instead of paper, as the paper buckled from the thickness of the paint.  I'm not happy with the background because of that buckling.  I'm thinking a different colour for the sky might be a better plan.  I'm tempted to cut the owl and tree out, and collage it onto a canvas, or wooden block (something I have yet to try).

If you have any advice on how to make this owl better - please leave a message.  I'm happy to learn! I'm in need of a mentor, or two, or ten....

The Little Gull has a lot of room to grow, and I'm okay with that.

Where Poetry and Tae-Kwan-Do Collide

Aidan gets a lot of air time on the old blog....maybe because he's the smallest, and I spend the most time with him (the big boys are at school). Perhaps it's because he has Down syndrome and it seems right to write/advocate/share/chronicle, etc., about Down syndrome on the blogosphere.  I don't think the big billy goats mind that they aren't written about as much.

But, every so often an anecdote comes to mind about the other boys, and I want to put it down so I remember. 

So....
This is a story about the middle-est billy goat,
Liam.
Age 9. 
And poetry. 
Oh, and a little tae-kwan-do too.

Liam is a fidgety boy.  He bounces, spins, fidgets, plays drums on his knees, does strange things with his cheeks, and we love him whole heartedly.

We put him in tae-kwan-do to try to learn some self-discipline and self-control.  Also for some physical activitiy which he was craving.

He's doing great.

At school, he is fidgety, and not getting down to work.  I went in to talk to his teacher.  She explained that they were writing two word poems.
She said that he right away wanted to do his poem on tae-kwan-do.
No surprise there.
His poem was as expected, about a dojang, white dobak, high kicks....
and the last line of his poem was difficult to read,
but it looked like: "bar fights."

Bar fights?

Hmmmn.  His teacher looked at me.
I looked at her.
We chuckled and shrugged.
I was thinking did he get that from Bugs Bunny?

Later, in the car (on the way to tae-kwan-do), I remembered his poem, and told him I thought it was terrific...but that I couldn't quite read the last line.  How did it go, again?

Bare foot.

Oh, right. :o)

Little Operation

Today we took Aidan to the hospital for minor surgery.  He got tubes put in his ears.  The hope is that he will hear better and be able to reproduce speech sounds more accurately. 

If this doesn't help, then we're pretty sure there's another issue.  Perhaps apraxia?  Time will tell.

He wasn't very impressed with not eating or drinking this morning.  He made his way to the Cheerio cupboard 8 times, only to be turned away empty handed.  Poor pumpkin. 

He was polite with the nurses, up until a point. The point being when they held onto his arm or foot firmly to put numbing cream on the back of his hand and a monitor on his big toe.  He yelled out, "ooooo," and "owie."  It would have broken my heart if it wasn't so darn cute.

I was impressed that they let me take him right into the operating room, and wait with him until the anaesthetic knocked him out.  I held him and sang "The Owl and the Pussycat" for old-times sake.  Just like  I did 4 years ago when he went under for heart surgery.  Ah, good times.

Aidan plays a Christmas Carol

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Holidays are Over, sigh.

Flight Pass to Fun!

We got our Flight Pass to Fun!

We waited at the aviation centre for Santa to arrive.

Oh, what a big beard you have, Santa!

"I like these people!"

Phew.  I'm tired, are you tired?

A Ride with Santa in his Private Jet....

Our social worker called today to ask if we would like to go for a ride with Santa in his private jet (Telus corporation's jet).  We're very excited about it - and can't wait to see Aidan's face when he meets Santa.  The big boys are thrilled too; they can't wait to dress up in their dressy clothes.

I love opportunities like this.  A chance to share Aidan with the community.  A chance to celebrate together.  A chance for the big boys to be so very proud of their little brother.

I love Santa Claus.  I always have, and I always will.