Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man

Dear Asher,

While not one to fuss or fret about making every experience an "educational" one, I do try to provide you with activities that have a few redeeming qualities. So, like most children your age, we spend time coloring. And I really enjoy your enthusiasm for the task at hand. All you need is a few markers, a fresh sheet of paper, and you're ready to go!


With concentration atypical of a two-year old, you focus solely on creating a masterpiece - the artist's interpretation of the world around him. Right now you are in an abstract art phase.
	Color selection is very important to creating bold and thought-provoking art. You very carefully select each color you use by plunging your hand into the marker bag and coloring with whatever you happen to grab next.
Another important aspect of creating art that really says something, is the use of different techniques. One techique I've been guilty of trying to get you to abandon is when you press down so hard on the marker, you actually smash it and make it almost unusable the next time. But you counter these efforts of mine with the statement that an artist must follow his muse - whevever that may lead.

But in the end the only thing that really matters is the enjoyment you get out of the creation process.

Love,
Mom