This is the aftermath of the free form painting of two great-nephews, aka Michelangelo and Da Vinci, when they were in town this weekend. There were a couple of disagreements, or contrattempi, but they were mostly harmonious as they worked, unlike the famous Italian rivals.
I was delighted to see them heading straight for the paints – no interest in coloured pencils or screens. They were very generous with squeezing paint from the tubes, mixing colours like there’s no tomorrow, experimenting with all the brushes, and applying layer after layer to the paper, as you can see. Their output was astounding.
So in the moment was I that it didn’t occur to me to photograph them as they worked so, for the photo, I’ve used paintings from their last visit in April (the style remains the same) as they were keen to take the latest ones away with them. Their dad had the genius idea of drying the thickly layered pages in front of the log burner so the paintings could be transported safely. I’m sure their intended recipients are thrilled and the work will be festooning fridge doors from here to Dunedin.
Their April paintings are carefully filed with the creative work of their mother, aunts and uncles; all of it named and dated – a record of their output over several years (See April post Family Time) when they spent school holidays at my house. This weekend’s visit reminded me of those happy days.
Anne-O-tations 