Thursday, June 5, 2008

It Looks Like a 3 Year Old Drew That!!

Gracie and I have been collaborating on a new and very silly artistic venture, lately.

I'm supposed to be a stressed out wreck at the moment, as we move very very soon (we got an apartment, by the way... yes!!), but in the last few days, I've been having too much fun to stress. There is too much laughter that comes with a new picture...

I have always wanted to take Gracie's beyond adorable scribbles and turn them into super cute illustrated works of art. I've finally done it, and I must say that I'm in love with them. It might just be a mother's love, but I wanted to share them anyway.

I love watching kids draw happy pictures. They always seem to smile, while they are drawing the happy faces. I taught art for 4th and 5th graders for four summers back when I was in college, and the kids were always so happy while they were drawing. I just love it!

Gracie's pictures are done with a Sharpie permanent black marker on drawing paper. When she is finished, she passes them over to me and starts a new one. "Here Mommy. You can color it in now." she says.

Sometimes, her pictures are... uncolorable. Like when she decides to smash polkadots all over the place or shower the picture in random lines. Hey -- no artist is perfect. Not even my three year old.

But she creates the perfect canvas for me! My illustrations are done right on top of hers, using Prismacolor colored pencils. The letters are scrapbooking rub-on transfers.

I'm planning on letting Gracie open up that Etsy shop she has been talking about for the last couple of months. A nice Mom and Daughter collaboration. I'm not calling it Strawberry Short, though. I already have everything needed for a shop called Tootsie and Grace (some of you might actually remember my shop before Elegant Snobbery was born). The funny thing is, my mom always called me Toots growing up. Granted, it was usually said like this: "Get your butt in here, Toots, and clean up your mess." Or "Hurry up, Toots. The car is halfway out the driveway" Stuff like that. I think Tootsie and Grace is appropriate.

I'm not expecting big things. We are just having a lot of fun. Hopefully, we can at least make someone smile from these bold, bright, and very cheerful happy faces.

22 comments:

Valerie said...

I absolutely LOVE these! How wonderful that you are doing them together!

Unknown said...

OMGosh so gosh darn adorable- that is so cute! How great that you two are a team!

Leah said...

SO cute! what a fantastic idea, and I have to say your results look *really* good! My husband used to collaborate on drawings with his niece & we have one framed in our living room - now I can't wait for my baby to start drawing so they can make masterpieces. :)

Winklepots said...

So fun, Marisa! :o) Tell Gracie I wish her luck in her new venture. :o)

sweetpicklespottery said...

Oh my gosh! How fun is that! I love this idea! So cute too..

Anne said...

OMG OMG OMG those are adorable!!! Little Gracie must feel so proud that her artist mama is coloring in her pictures. Can't wait till she opens up her Etsy shop!!

Marie said...

Wow, Marisa! Those are serioulsy so adorable and the extra touches you did to finish up her drawings are so awesome! I love that idea. You should frame all of them and put it in their playroom (if they have one)...either way, those are frame-worthy!

Have you thought about letting people send you their children's artwork so you can do the same thing and charge for it? You know, this could be for people like me who can't even draw stick people. I would love my kids artwork in our gameroom-love it!

Nora said...

Wow, lovely work! Gracie is very beautiful! :D Nice idea for a shop too. Good Luck!

Anonymous said...

That is sooo cute! collaborating with your kids is so fun! My girls design a few things with me, the oldest has an artists eye, and even the boys have designed scarves for themselves.

Cathy said...

They look great!!!! Gracie obviously takes after her mum :)

I got the cards by the way - they are absolutely gorgeous!! Will definitely be ordering more in the future :))

Kelly Drill said...

This is the sweetest thing I've ever seen. I'm all warm and fuzzy inside. :) They look great too!

Nichole said...

This is the best idea! How absolutely adorable to preserve your daughter's artwork and make something really cool all at the same time!!!

Denise Felton said...

OMG! These are FABULOUS. I love them so hard! Yes, yes, yes, bring back tootsiegrace and fill it up with these. They give me tears of happiness.

Kim said...

I love it!! What a neat mother/daughter bond! I can't wait to be a mommy...although, I think I'll have to wait past 3 to teach her to beadweave ;)

Kim said...

btw, I think they'll be a hit!

Janna said...

These are so adorable!! What a clever idea to collaborate like this! I love them!

Lorissa J. Longfellow said...

I love them. You are both so talented. Great idea. I was thinking you should let her open a shop of her own soon. Looking forward to it.

Rosebud Collection said...

What great pictures..I like the name of the shop..We have "The Mum and The Rose". Have to admit, I don't do too much in the shop,I am busy reading blogs..

Candice said...

I love them, they are adorable!!

Leah said...

They are great! I'd buy one for the girls room. Plus being able to send you one of Malias drawings for you to do that to would be an incredible idea. We have some fish here!!

Anonymous said...

These are soooooo awesome! I love them! :)

Cheers,
Crystal

Anonymous said...

What an amazing collaboration. I love these drawings. The two of you will treasure this partnership in the years to come. You go girlfriends!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...