As Makena is getting older, it’s fun to watch her drawing skills develop.  Her people are now getting clothes, glasses and shoes.  She’s beginning to draw pictures of animals she sees in a book.  And she can easily whip up a field of flowers.  Always noticing the tiny details that I might forget.

We have yet to move past the Crayola section of art supplies since they are washable.  On a recent outing, I picked up a wooden set of nesting dolls that weren’t painted.

I brought out her Russian matryoshka dolls to use as an example and let her go to town.  Creating her own work of art.

I’ve been drooling over this kids art book for a while now written by Eric Carle, Artist to Artist: 23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art.

Since she’s getting older and wanting to do more, I signed her up to participate in a Kid’s Artist Trading Card Swap by Wise Craft and House on Hill Road.  She’s very excited!  It’s for kids 4 and up. She’ll create five very small artist trading cards and send them out to her swap partners around the world.  And as much as she likes to check the mailbox and receive a letter, she’ll really love the art.  It will be fun to look at the globe and see where the art is from.  The deadline to sign up is this Friday, so head on over there and sign up your budding artiste!

I think it’s time to improve upon her art supplies.  Anyone have suggestions on what pencils and paints are good for kids?