9 Truths About Living with a Budding Artist

1. No wall is safe from becoming an Art Wall.
No wall left behind.

2. We are always out of printer paper.

Shes uses 50 sheets to our 5. On the bright side, I haven't actually purchased a birthday card in years - I just have her make them.


3. Every time I start to throw a empty milk jug or a yogurt container in the recycling bin, I am interrupted: "Wait! I can use that for a craft!"
Today I discovered an old yogurt contained filled with water and popsicle sticks. The popsicle sticks appeared to be growing fur, and the whole thing smelled a little funky. (You guys, I swear, I clean my house at appropriate intervals.)

4. The stapler is always missing.
It has a home in the office, a perfect little stapler spot.  But more often than not, we'll find it buried in her desk drawer.

5. The art supplies will never stay organized. 
Recently, I purchased a divided desk organizer and put markers in one spot, dot markers in another, crayons in another, and glue sticks and glitter glue in the fourth.  Three hours later, it had been "reorganized."

She taped her colored pencils to the wall.  I was more impressed than anything.

 
6. Speaking of art supplies, there will never be enough glitter glue.
I give up. They're always empty.

7. Or scotch tape.
 Before children, one roll of scotch tape would last me at least six months or one Christmas season. Now, I buy it in bulk and I still have to hide a roll up high and out of sight.

8. Homework is always decorated. 
If she doesn't have time to finish it at school, she finishes it at home (because she wants to, not because she has to).

9. I don't want to put new carpet (or anything) in the basement, because then I will have to care if it gets paint on it. 
I suppose this will save us a bunch of money if we just leave it as a toy area and art studio, right?

Old basements are also a great place to let your budding artist host a Unicorn Rainbow Painting Birthday Party That Also Includes Dancing. Hers is the top middle. (J seems to have a knack for the abstract - his is the bottom middle.)