Remember my blog post back in January regarding beginning an art collection for kids? I promised to share some ideas to accomplish the same so here we go.
My older daughter turned 7 in July. Instead of having a birthday party this year, we decided to take her camping on her birthday weekend. She was very excited with the idea! While we were at CVS a day before her birthday, buying some camping-related supplies, she asked for a misting fan spray bottle to ‘keep her cool’ in the summertime and two bottles of nail polish. That quickly turned into a ‘tangible’ birthday gift for her, and $15 later, she was happy as a clam. Kids are so simple!
Even though she loved her simple gift, I wanted to ‘invest’ in a special long-term present that she could cherish for years to come. I found the perfect types of artwork to buy for her when I was on a solo adventure in Palm Springs in March. I was browsing at Barba Contemporary Art and particularly liked the work of artist Sorin Bica, who happens to be Boston-based. Woot! While chatting with the gallery owner Michael, I discovered little 4x6 oils on canvas by Bica and I instantly knew I wanted to get those for my daughter.
I didn’t end up buying the pieces right away, though. I waited until closer to her birthday and had the gallery email me their seven 4x6 oils on canvas options. I then had my daughter pick her two favorites (featured here).
At first, she was all lukewarm about the whole “art buying” experience and for obvious reasons. What 7 year-old would be thrilled about an uncommon long-term birthday gift? But I strongly believe an early exposure to art (in any way that works) can help open up a world of imagination and exploration, and as a mom, I try and do my part in small doses.
I finally got these pieces back from the framer this past week, and she was surprisingly excited to open up the packaging and appreciate them.
We have yet to decide where these paintings will hang. Perhaps in the girls’ bedroom? I hope as they grow older they appreciate these unique birthday gifts and develop their own taste in art. For now, we can enjoy these works of art together.
No comments:
Post a Comment