As I’ve mentioned a few times now, we are currently in the process of moving. Of course, prior to officially moving in, we’ve been visiting the new place to get things cleaned, fixed, and all set to go. Part of that has included painting. So far we’ve painted six different spaces each with a new color. Thankfully, the kids have kept themselves, more or less, entertained and well-behaved throughout our long days of painting. Surely, we’ve had the incessant bugging to help us paint but after a failed attempt and a not-so-pretty green stain on our hardwood floors, we’ve set forth a “rule” that only adults will be painting the rooms. “Adults” meaning “Mommy only” has obviously worked out much better in regard to keeping the paint on the walls and off of the flooring.
However, both of our little ones are pretty artistic and, after all, this is just as much their home as it is Mommy and Daddy’s. Once we finally get moved in, they’ll definitely be allowed to decorate their own kid spaces as they see fit. That aside, I wanted to give them the opportunity to take part in the whole “decorating a new home” experience. As much as I’d prefer to keep them away from the permanent, damages-my-floor kind of paint, I decided to let them go for it… on my terms.
Once we had the new place painted, it donned on me that (aside from some family photos) we have no art pieces to display on our nicely painted, new walls. After catching wind of a sale at our local craft store, for $20 we had ourselves set up for an awesomely huge art project! At 4×4’ the kids were thrilled with the “super big fun” we were about to have. With a little creativity, I decided to let their “mess” become our “art.”
Now, I know that you’ve all seen it. The chaotic, non-traditional paint works of many famous artists. Andy Warhol was a genius at his craft of craziness but Jackson Pollock gained fame through, in my mind, simply acting like a child. Think about it… if you were to give a child some paint and a brush but never taught them the “correct” way to paint, what would they do? Nine times out of ten, they’d end up with a huge mess; too much paint on the brush, a lack of clean lines, globs of paint here and there. In the end, though, who has the right to say that their mess isn’t worthy of being called art? Who gets to decide that? If chimpanzees, elephants, rats, and even bumblebees can create museum worthy art, why can’t a child? Sure, we have the cliché refrigerator art for out little ones’ masterpieces but I wanted to take it a step farther. And so we did.
At a buy-one-get-one-free sale, I picked up some 2×2’ canvases. My original plan was to get two but, considering the sale, I ended up doubling our project and came home with four large square canvases. After setting up a tarp on the floor (no green hardwood this time!), I added my own creative touch at the kids’ request. I had suggested using some of the spare painters’ tape that we had on hand to make a design. When I asked the kids what they thought of the idea, requests for their initials were made. It was a cute, personal touch that I happily obliged to.
After taping off the canvases, we decked the kids out in some old paint clothes, I handed each child a brush and we let them have at it. Initially, they were a bit apprehensive.
I think that they were a bit thrown off by the idea of being allowed to make a mess. Finally, they’re little boy instincts took over and they had a blast with it! Paint nicely over here, throw some paint over there, a little dab here, a giant glob beside it; it was hilarious to watch. The neat painting turned into crazy painting and the level of fun went through the roof.
After allowing our little project to dry for what seemed like ages, we tore off the painters’ tape to reveal their masterpiece!
There are still a few wet spots but, once they dry we’ll be adding hand print signatures to their respective corners for an extra personal touch. Yes, it’s messy but this is art. This is their art. This, like them, is beautiful. And now, their gorgeous, chaotic, crazy mess is the heart of our home – just as they are.
By the end of it, we were (of course) all covered in paint but is a little mess really that bad? Paint washes off. Messes are easily cleaned up. Children will not remember whether or not things were kept and/or done neatly. Do you know what they will remember? They’ll remember making memories. Let them explore their creative side and dabble in the world of coloring (or painting) outside of the lines. After all, who are we to limit or shelter the magic that they can share with the world? Forget what society told you is “the right way” and just go with the flow. Life is short and we must give our children every opportunity to enjoy it.
Go.
Be creative.
Have fun.
Make memories.
Get messy.
Enjoy life.
Barrel Butter
That is awesome! What a fun and creative idea!
Erin
Such a fun idea, Randi! I love how it turned out.
Vickie Couturier
they sure looked like they were having fun,an with a cool look afterward too
Jenny M
I think this is fantastic what you are doing with your kiddos. Kids love anything tactile and creative. It takes a special mom, however, to do this type of creating. I for one do not have the patience for all the cleanup, and so I am creative with my kids in other ways.
Sara Grivas
I absolutely love this! I have grandkids that this is going to be done in the future! Thanks.
Dorothy Teel
This is cool and it is very pretty and you ar right your kids will remember for years making the painting and that they did it and perhaps they will do it with their kids in the future, hang it with pride and enjoy it for a long time.
Lua
What a creative art idea! I love it! 🙂
I think it’s an awesome way to have fun with the kids and also to make them feel special when their art is displayed in the house for all too see.
Stacey R
I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time! The results always look so good! Thanks for the DIY instructions!
Jenny
You are brave! Hats off to you!
Karen
That’s pretty cool! I may have to try this with my kids some day.
michelle cooke
That is a pretty cool idea. i have two girls who would love to do something like this
Yona
That’s such a cool idea for a personalized piece of art. I bet they had a lot of fun.
Rebecca Parsons
Such a great idea to get the kids involved in painting, even if it isn’t the walls. Their art work looks great.
mrsshukra
Good fun! We have to do this, too!
Eileen Richter
A great project for little kids but also teens. They can get REALLY creative with paint and texture. My daughter did a canvas art when she moved into her VERY OWN ROOM…the first she had ever had alone. It was a big deal. She used some deep purple, butter yellow, pink and a few others to partition it off like you did, but made it more 3d by adding thicker paints and using stuff around the house to texturize and drag it. Some chicken wire, a baby comb, some shot shell casings, etc. She loved it when it was done because it was all hers. I think 12 years later she still has it somewhere.
Lesley F
This turned out great & something the kids will love! Great idea
Ani W
LOVE the idea! so easy and it looks so artistic. Now I just have to find the time to do it.
tiffany z
love behr paint & the delicate scotch tape. I may try the art idea with my son
Melanie
This looks like an awesomely fun craft for the older kids 🙂 My little one isn’t yet two so this is a bit advanced for us, but I’m considering a Behr paint chalkboard wall!
Ronnie Owens
I have to try this looks cool.
Renee Smith
This is really neat. I can’t wait to try this with my kiddos. They’re going to love it!
jaci
fun project
Jennifer Marohn
I made something like that with spray paint one year for my sister’s christmas gift. She loved it, and actually picked out her wall to match that piece of art.
Rhian
Very cool! My mom did this on a smaller scale with my niece and it turned out really pretty as well!
Seth
That’s cool. I think getting messy with paint creates some of the most interesting art.
Julie
I always said I would do crafts like this and so far I haven’t! I need to just do it
Rebecca Peters
Im sure the kids will always remember doing this for years to come and even show their friends what they have done! So cool!
samantha
That looks like so much fun! I must try this with my little one!
JennyA
I love this sort of art! My daughter is 1 year old, and I have a big wall that needs some art. I’m totally going to borrow your idea! Thanks so much!
JJ Caraway
This is definitely the way to go, let the kids be kids and express themselves. I have a HUGE paper mache mask on my bed room wall that my granddaughter made in art class at school. I also have all three grandchildren’s art work throughout my home. It makes them feel so proud when they look at it and reminds me of them when they were younger and when they are at home.
Michele M
I love this idea!
Britni Bradford
What a fun idea! Thanks for sharing. this would be a great rainy day project.