Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Meet Gilbert

Meet Gilbert

Say "hello," Gilbert.
Hmm. Gilbert is the silent type, yet expressive. Quietly waiting for his dinner to fly by.



Alex wondered out loud about large canvases and so I made special trip to the art store for this 18 x 24 art board. He started sketching Monday night, while we watched a Rick Steves Europe episode.


Alex and Max love frogs. Together they research the kinds of frogs that can be kept as pets. They weigh the pros and cons of frogs that may bite and frogs that are too small to hold. They like the African Clawed frog. They have been waiting for us to be in our own home so they can have a pet frog. In the meantime Alex draws frogs and toads. Remember when Gilbert first appeared? He was Alex's mood barometer when he started going to school.


Sometimes Gilbert smiles, but most times he looks like a curmudgeonly guy and Alex likes him this way. Alex added cheerful tulips, a flower he finds quintessentially floral. Gilbert seems unimpressed by the flowers or the wonder of his sylvan home. I like him too. I respect his reflective mood, his reserved emotions, his solid presence.


Today Gilbert is going to Kinkos. I'll make a copy of the sketch before Alex starts painting him. Then I may stop at the art store and pick up another canvas.

5 comments:

mtnchild said...

I love the progression of the sketch as I scroll down through your post. Alex is very talented (as are all your kids) and you and Jeff are so encouraging.

In the future sometime, we will probably see Alex's art out in public!

Yvette

Dallas said...

Wow, that's quite a frog sketch. My husband is a frog-nut. He's had various pet frogs throughout the years - red eye tree frogs, gray tree frogs, firebelly toads, etc. One thing I learned from having frogs in the house is that the oils on our hands is dangerous to them - wet your hands with water before picking them up.

A Quilter Awakens said...

I just discovered your blog, but I already know I want to settle in and read this weekend. I love what I have seen so far.

Em said...

This is wonderful! I love it - it would look great all painted up in bright colors on a wall... above a mantel... or sofa! You're doing such a great job with your kids - they're so cool! I love that you're taking it to get copies made. SO smart!

Tiglizzyclone said...

Cool piece of art! I am hoping to see it painted!