Drawing 101

As I may have mentioned previously (numerous times, I'm sure), I think my little Maddy is an excellent artiste!

A few weeks ago, she finished writing her First Communion thank-you's and on each one, she drew a picture of the gift she received -- her own idea.

You should have seen the adorable rosary and bible she drew.

She even drew cash -- a $20 dollar bill and a $40 dollar bill!

She's almost completed her Drawing 101 class and she's really enjoyed it. Well, except maybe for the fact that there are 8 boys and only2 other girls in the class. And well, you know, the boys are goofy! What a surprise, eh! :)

The first week, they worked on shadowing.

The second week - self-portraits.

The third week, it was drawing animals. She generally loves to draw animals (see Muffy above!), but the instructor wanted them to draw dinosaurs. She doesn't really like dinosaurs, but still did a good job -- said the most unbiased mom ever! Ha ha!

She has one more class until the class ends and I'm not sure what's on tap for that one. But wow, I've really got to give her credit. I was a bit shy when I was young and would have fussed and whined about going to a class where I didn't know anyone. Even though, Miss M is quiet and a bit shy, she went right into class and hasn't complained a single bit.

My little artist -- I love her so!! :)

Drawing 101 - Thinking of Muffy!

Maddy loves to draw! Of course, I think she is extremely talented! Lately, she has turned her drawing efforts from Simba (the Lion King) to dogs!

Do you wonder why? Although Mr. Tennis and I did not really agree to getting a puppy, he told her she could get one in the summer! Ever since, she has been obsessed with dogs. Drawing dogs, reading about dogs, watching dog shows . . . you get the idea.

She's looked at and studied various dogs to determine just what kind she wants. There were a few requirements: (1) Not too big (to be determined by moi); (2) Pointy stand-up ears (they listen better, you know!); (3) longish tail; (4) good-natured, sweet, etc. My parents have a Westie and although she loves him dearly, she did not want a Westie. She also adores, Larry, the bichon wonder dog, but alas -- no pointy ears - so bichons were out. She finally settled on a Scottish Terrier!

Then came the real issue -- what will she name her puppy?? She did not want to wait until the last minute, so has come up with the name already. She wants a girl dog and will call her Muffy. She especially likes that name since it starts with an "M" just like her name and Mom! And we just found a breeder who will have some puppies available in July!

Title Page -- Muffy!!

The other day, I noticed her drawing away and putting pages together for a book. She got a teensy little stapler for Christmas and loves making stapled books now. She drew these pictures all about Muffy! (I had to scan them, so they are not the best quality.)

Muffy and Maddy with Muffy's brothers & sisters

Look, Muffy likes to play frisbee!

Muffy finally goes to sleep with a smile on her little doggy face!

Of course, I love her little books. She drew all of these free-hand without even looking at any pictures -- tell me that's not raw talent (well, no actually, don't tell me). I just signed her up for a Drawing 101 class starting in June! I think she'll like that and it will pass the time until July when Muffy can come home!

Artist in Residence

Miss Maddy has always loved to draw. Give her a piece of paper and a pencil and she draws and draws and draws -- usually pictures of her stuffed animals or scenes from a movie. Simba (from the Lion King) is always a favorite subject. In the picture above, as you can see, the hyenas [see them laughing!] are trying to get the young Simba. That's Nala behind Simba saying "a-oh" with Zazu the bird flying above. Yes, Lion King is one of her favorite movies!

We finally bought one of these two-sided easels and she LOVES it! It is the perfect size for her and so much fun to see her working on her intricate drawings. Plus -- BONUS -- if she's using the chalkboard, a friend can be using the other side's dry-erase or paper board! It's two -- two boards in one!