Sometimes the thrifting gods are just on your side. I was complaining to Clay that I wanted to get Sam an easel, but I couldn't find any solid wooden ones for less than $60. "I think I saw one at D.I." he said. So, we hurried over there, and lo and behold, it was still there! That, in and of itself, was a miracle of a semi-religious nature. The thrifting golden rule is "Buy it When You See it!" But it was still there a couple days later and we happily snatched it up.
With a little soap and water I was able to removed the old paint and marker stains and get it looking brand new. Of course, Sam quickly decorated it with his own marker and paint splotches. But, I like the looks of his much better than the other ones. It's a really sturdy one, the kind you'd find in a school, that can stand up to lots of wear and tear. I was so thrilled to find it!
Sam has been equally enthusiastic about using it several times a day. It thrills me to see him exploring color and texture, layering paint, trying new brush techniques, rejoicing at the cacophony of color he creates and telling me elaborate stories about what he's painting. The painting above is of a hippo splashing in the water; do you see it?
Naturally, we think Sam is quite gifted; we ooh and aah over each brush stroke and each completed masterpiece. But I'm already wondering, where will I put all these precious masterpieces... ?
