DC Femella

I volunteered to be the teacher for the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) program in Cebastian’s first-grade class.  Every month we feature a famous artist and teach the children about him/her.  Additionally, they create crafts, so they can further learn about the artist’s style.  I jumped at the chance because I love Art, and I want my children to have an appreciation for it.  If I am able to do that for them, I will feel that I achieved something.  Another reason why I volunteered is because I want my children to remember me there with them when they are adults.  In this way, they will hopefully be active participants in their own children’s lives. 

My mother never participated in anything, and I remember watching the other children’s moms with envy because I wished my mom would come and do something in my school.  Now that I am older, I know that it was because she was a working mother, and she didn’t have the chance to telecommute the way I do.  It’s one of the reasons I went into writing is because I wanted a flexible job that allowed me to work from home whenever I wanted, and in turn, I could do things with my children. 

The project was a success.  The children were really cute, and I felt happy being around them.  If you are ever in a sour mood, go do something fun with a child.  You will see a smile creep up on your face.  I’m glad that I had children, and I hope to have more one day. 

I leave you with my favorite Escher work of art.

Bond of Union

I leave you with these great links about the importance of Art in a child’s education:

http://www.atriskstoriesofhope.com/if-sir-ken-robinson-is-right-how-do-we-produce-creative-thinkers

http://www.aplaceofourown.org/question_detail.php?id=104

http://www.arvartscenter.org/education.htm

This past Sunday I went to the National Gallery of Art to see what kind of art I want to get for my condo. I’m glad that I went because it livened up my spirits in an indescribable way. Of course I can’t afford the pieces of art there, but I can afford the prints of them. This is the list that I have come up with.

For the foyer, I want Picasso’s “Absinthe Drinker”

For the living room, I want Sargent’s “Walking in Venice”

For the reading nook, I want Picasso’s “Woman with Book”

For the main bathroom, Picasso’s “The Lesson.” It reminds me of my two children.

For my room, Sargent’s “Repose” and Matisse’s “La Coiffure”

For the dining room, Toulouse-Latrec’s “The Ambassadeurs”

I think I’ll be happier having beautiful art around me.