Finding Dreams
15" x 20" watercolor, The Work of Childhood Series #1
This is the first in a new series of paintings I'm going to be working on called, The Work of Childhood. I want to focus on all the things kids do that make up their life, when they're finding out what and who they want to be. Things that might seem of little importance, but really they're not. Those small things that are really big things.
Do you remember when you were a kid and you had these great fantasies about what you would do or be when you grew up? How it seemed impossible to not achieve everything you were drearming about?
I do.
I don't know about you, but my 'dream career' changed a LOT when I was a kid. I wanted to be a marine biologist, a horse trainer, a writer, an animator for Disney, an artist (of course), an equestrian in the 2000 Summer Olympics, and a lawyer.
Don't ask me how that last one slipped in there because I'm still not sure. I think it may have had something to do with my desire to win an argument with my older sister. (totally kidding) Love you sis!!! :):)
Now I get to see my kids have their own dreams and hopes for their future. And while some of them may seem a little fanciful (really? because an olympic equestrian was totally realistic right?) I will never say to them choose something else, or anything that might come across as unsupportive or doubting in any way.
Because I don't think those dreams you make in childhood ever really go away. You change them as you grow up but you always remeber how fiercely you felt about every single one of them. And how hard you may have fought for it. Those dreams make you into the kind of person you grow up to be.
Dreams are a fragile thing, and who am I to be the one crushing them before they've even had a chance to grow yet? My oldest son loves archery. He's passionate about it, he studies all the different kinds of bows, arrows, targets, sights, and everything else that goes with it.
I loved seeing that. Seeing him so interested in something that it occupied every thought he had. Sometimes I'd check on him at night after he went to bed and he'd still be awake, reading archery magazines by flashlight. It reminded me of some other kid I used to know who did the same thing with horse magazines and art supply catalogues. :)
What about you guys? What did you want to be when you grew up?
I love you :) Enough said :):):)
ReplyDeleteThis is just awesome! :-)
ReplyDeleteLovely painting Crystal!!Would love to see what new you have in your this new series.:)
ReplyDeleteMy daughter when she was little wanted to be a lawyer and a hairdresser. She said she was going to be both! You know because they have so much in common right!! LOL! Kids are so cute!! I've no idea why those were her choices!
ReplyDeleteThis painting is so beautiful, I find that making art allows me to recapture all those dreams... on paper, even some that somehow slipped away!
ReplyDeleteYou've captured him so beautifully Crystal, I hope he follows his dreams...
ReplyDeleteI love it, Crystal...and that is such a wonderful title for the series. As we tell our grandson, learning and playing is his "job" right now. I look forward to seeing the other paintings you come up with.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to be a writer. Sold a poem at age 48. Not too bad!
I wanted to be a doctor; I became a RN at age 50. Not too bad!
I always loved art, wrote stories and poems, took an interior decorating course. Started to paint at age 52. Sold my first painting at age 58. Not too bad!
I'll be 60 in a few months, don't know what I'll accomplish by then.
It almost seems that he is going to jump out of the picture anytime and run away.. Its got that much of life in it. The back ground has so much of movement. I can feel there is a breeze blowing. And the concentration on his face is just great.. And then of course you catch the light like no one else does.. What a marvelous start to this series.. YOU ROCK..
ReplyDeleteamazing new series crystal!!! this is just stunning and i love your post, just love it. the work of childhood is such a great title for a series, i'm looking forward to every piece! i want to be an artist when i grow up and when that will be i can only guess.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to be a comedian/actor. The lighting on the cap is amazing.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you will create for the rest of the series :) You have really captured the look of determination and concentration he has in catching his dream! Love the composition, the colors and of course the light.
ReplyDeleteCrystal..what a beautiful post and beautiful painting..You're a good Mom in allowing him to follow his dreams. My daughter wanted to be a Nurse since the age of 6. She is now a Maternity Nurse..so she followed her dream! Me?? I'd love to paint like you someday!!
ReplyDeleteI love the lighting/skin tone on your son's arms in the painting, they look so real! Almost like it was a photograph turned into a painting. (does that make sense?) Growing up I wanted to be a large animal vet, then I wanted to work with horses, and since that has been one of my jobs recently, I guess I was somewhat close! I still don't really know what I want to do when I grow up...do we ever really grow up? There was also a time I wanted to work for National Geographic and travel the world...then I fell in love and wanted to be a little more settled than always living out of my suitcase.
ReplyDeletethat sounds like a very good idea of a series of paintings. Your off to a good start.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting and a lovely story. Love what you are planning.
ReplyDeleteThank you Crystal for the lovely comment on my Lioness. :)
The painting is beautiful and I love the concept for the series! Looking forward to more!
ReplyDeleteHello Crystal!
ReplyDeleteI'm just now getting to know his wonderful work, I was charmed his way of painting and technique.
I leave you my sincere congratulations.
Thank you for your visit in my blog.
A big hug from Brazil
Crystal, what beautiful thoughts so very well stated. Interesting question you posed. When I was very young, I remember wanting to be with horses, and a bit later to study animals. Further along, being Jacques Cousteau's sidekick seemed interesting. The last professional-type dream was to be a physician with the space program, going out in space.
ReplyDeleteUne très belle peinture pour illustrer le rêve... Je ne sais pas si je suis normale! mais je rêve toujours... et je crois que je rêve maintenant que je suis devenue adulte... enfant malheureusement je n'ai pas un de rêve...
ReplyDeleteBisous
This painting is just utterly brilliant! His skin is actually glowing - I could touch it - he's just so... real! I have no idea how you do it but you paint watercolour portraits like no other I have seen before. You must have magic brushes!
ReplyDeleteHmm... What did I want to be... Well, first I wanted to 'get babies out and wash them'! In adult language that's a Midwife!
Then I wanted to be a Dancer, then a Pop-Star, then a Nurse, then a Storm-Chaser, then a Weather Scientist, then a Marine Biologist, then a Writer, then a Diving instructor...
Now? Well, now in a perfect world I would be a diving instuctor, a published writer and an artist too.
What actually am I...? ...A secretary! Gaaaaagh!!! How on earth did that happen??
hi
ReplyDeletethis is a great idea for a series. I am looking forward to see more of your beautiful paintings of children :) PS: at age 7-8 I wanted to be a go-go dancer ... phew ...
I love this question. I wanted to be a vet, a Sea World trainer, a nurse, and you guessed it - a writer. I wrote a book of poems in elementary school once, and was so proud of them, but the teacher didn't give the grade I hoped for and I dumped that dream till late when I just couldn't resist. :)
ReplyDeletegreat painting Crystal.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how our dreams change as we grow up. I simply wanted to be a cowboy, photographer, artist and even went through college to be a Forest Ranger. Lots of habitat studies so guess what I am doing follows somewhat.
Another amazing painting!
ReplyDeleteStunning, Crystal, as always. Love the idea for your series and can't wait to see it develop. I honestly don't remember what I wanted to be when I grew up, maybe I'm still not sure:) I played teacher a lot and designed a lot of interior spaces with my legos. It always bugged me that lego kits always had neat exteriors but nothing going on inside, so I made my own. Maybe getting a degree in Interior Design was the right degree.
ReplyDeleteThat glow on the skin is quite hard to achieve- but you do it perfectly!This is unbelievably beautiful painting, Crystal.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I dreamt of anything but art in my childhood..so I guess Im OK with what I m :D
Great painting, Crystal! Your Work of Childhood series should be a wonderful success.
ReplyDeleteWhen one has stopped dreaming...one has stopped living.
Fabulous painting... and wonderful posts. What a pleasure it is to read your blog!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful painting and I like the idea behind this series. I wanted to be involved with pyrotechnics possibly on film sets-but a few months through Chemistry at college and I realised I wasn't clever enough! Ah well Il make do with setting off a few fireworks now and then;o)
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