My son loves bugs. What boy doesn't. We have been watching some cool stuff on animal planet and they really are amazing, gross and outright brutal. Did you know that when a fly lands on your food it vomits on it before it sucks it up through it's strawlike mouth...like I said gross stuff.

This morning we were reading an insect book and I was captivated by the details and colors of these tiny creatures. Needless to say, as soon as I dropped the boy off at school I grabbed my sketchbook and started drawing. Too bad the library book goes back by Friday. I might just have to visit a book store and get a bug book of my own.

"Art, like play, helps children to understand their world. But art goes beyond play, enabling them to express their personal experiences and fantasies in a way that are concrete and compelling, even when they are unable to articulate the events in words."
— The Art of Teaching Art to Children

I am facinated with children's artistic development and creativity. I recently did a career day demonstation to a class of young children. As much as the thought of a large group of small children outnumbering me makes me shake in my shoes far more than a business presentation in front of a meeting of executives, I did it anyhow. I did it because I want children to understand that art is a real career and something that can be taken seriously. Even if a child doesn't necessarily have an interest in the arts, I do feel it is critical to their development and it is sad that so little serious attention is given to it in school anymore.

I have too often heard growing up that I had better have a backup plan. Or make sure to study something more practical such as graphic design. As much as I am the free-spirited artist there is a small part of me that took that advice and though I did go to art school, I studied design as well as fine arts. Honestly, I regret that choice. You can't squelch a fire that is burning deep within a person's entire being. If only I had someone who supported me and told me to go for it. Even my high school art teacher, as inspiring and supportive as he was pushed me in the direction of the graphic arts.

While I have been successful at keeping a dual existence of fine artist-commercial artist, it does make a person feel torn in two directions. This new decade is going to be a new direction for me and I am really looking forward to it.

Lastly, to all the little budding artists out there, go for it... I'm planning on taking my own advice too.

Recently my son has entered a new phase of development in his drawing. He has started to copy the way I sit and sketch and it is adorable. Instead of drawing from his imagination, he actually sits and draws his surroundings. I tend to be very sketchy when I am doing quick sketches from life and he even imitates that with his line work. I love watching kids draw and seeing their mind and imagination working. I am looking forward to many more sketch outings with my boy.

Decided to tackle a self portrait. My son is so sweet, he wants to hang it in his room when it's done.

A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What one can be, one must be.

—Abraham Maslow