3/18/2020 Expectations & Time for Art

Has Social Distancing ruined your plans? A friend of mine posted something funny.

Some of you have never had the government ruin your plans, and it shows.

This quote is a playful reminder that many military families have experience with adaptability.

After 20+ years of always waiting for the plans to change, I’m not sure it gets easier. Sometimes we try to look at it as a matter of expectations. But, adaptability doesn’t come without stress and complicated emotions. And eventurally adaptability reflects a certain set of coping skills.

What does this have to do with art?

For me, adaptability and expectations play a part in how I create. The good and the bad. Over the next few weeks, I am brainstorming some examples to share with you. I will also open up comments, and I encourage you to add your own examples of adaptability.

Expectation #1: What am I expected to do with my time?

I am reminding myself that restrictions on my time are largely self-imposed. Carrying the baggage of past external expectations is a bad habit. Most days I fight the stressful internal battle of deciding what to needs focus.

In theory, three weeks of isolation means plenty of time to use supplies on hand to create. That isn’t how it is working for me. Over the past two years, I have worked very hard to allow myself art time. When my family is at work and school, I focus on my art and building an art business. But, I still struggle with allowing myself this time when they are home, and now, they are always home.

Over the past couple of days, I have tried to consider how to involve my kids in my art practice. How can I honor my own time, but also take advantage of this opportunity to spend more time with them?

I did start a drawing project with my daughter. She started some drawings on Saturday #2. (I’m numbering our days of social distancing as consecutive Saturdays.) On Saturday #3 we took some pictures of her, and on Saturday #4 I sat down to start my drawing of her in her drawing. Today she spent some time adding details to my sketches of her. My goal is to create a semi-realistic painting of her based on her drawing.

I am also continuing to work on my son’s Minecraft walls and helping my son with a green-screen project. I haven’t worked on my pre-existing painting projects, yet, but I have worked on this website, and I will call that a win. So, we adapt, slowly. We are all still figuring things out. Remember to give yourself and those you love grace in this time of transition.

What are you doing to honor your time during this unexpected social distancing?

I am opening up the comments on this blog post, or you can comment on my Facebook Page. I’d love to hear your thoughts and/or advice. I am also including some online art resources for kids below.

~ Tia Sunshine

Today’s Resources 2020:

• Let's Make Art - Offers free watercolor lessons and optional subscription boxes of supplies. “We want to give you a space to grow creatively. The simple act of taking time to create something with your own hands will have a positive impact on your life.”

• Art for Kids Hub - My kids loved following along with these fun YouTube lessons in 1st-3rd grades. “We upload new art lessons M-F, every week! Follow along with us and learn how to draw plus other fun art lessons for kids.”

• There are SO many more. Do a Google Search for Virtual Museums, Lego Challenges, and free coloring books including images from museums. I homeschooled my kids for 3 years, and I have many friends that still homeschool. If you are interested in a particular subject or any other info, please don’t hesitate to ask. Remember, homeschooling isn’t about recreating school at home. Homeschooling is about fostering learning in a home environment.