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Topic: Parenting and Childcare
Replies: 12 Pages: 1 Last Post: Mar 26, 2003 2:18 AM by: Ray Rolfe

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Replies: 12 Pages: 1

Alicia Patrick

Posts: 172
Registered: Nov 21, 2002

Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Jan 14, 2003 11:53 AM

A space to talk about how to juggle parenting responsibilities and making art.

Guest

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Jan 14, 2003 1:39 PM

Thanks for starting this in another thread. I have not had a chance to start again.

Part of why I chose to pursue my artist lifestyle was to spend time with my family- all a part of following my heart, so to speak.

I use daycare 2 days a week with my 3 yr old right now. Other times my husband and I switch off parent duty and studio time. But it's still hard to juggle, especially while the kids are so young. We are also planning to homeschool, so I can't automatically depend on public school daycare later. My hope is to gradually bring my children into the studio, or studio office, more and more as they get older. I would like them to view our artwork and business as an integral part of their lives.

How do you juggle your artistic pursuits and your parenting? How do you bring together your family and creative philosophies?

Louise Dengerud

Posts: 51
Registered: May 9, 2002

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Jan 19, 2003 5:40 PM

I personally would love to have a studio of my own to stretch out my creativity. I am already away from the kids so much with work and other activities, so I paint at home. It is enjoyable to have the kids near me and seeing my creative work. They are supportive, inspirational and fun to discuss things with as I paint. Sometimes, they are also a distraction sure, but a worthy distraction.

Expose your child(ren) early to your work and engage them by letting them explore the same materials you use.

My kids are 10, 9 and 5 years old and they have a great time creating. Good luck with the home schooling, I am curious about your choice. That is I am sure not an easy path to take.

jaime longoria

Posts: 1,161
Registered: Oct 7, 2002

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Feb 6, 2003 2:13 PM

Can you help me with a project for first and second graders?

I need to know if you think your 5 year could handle the story concept and stamping process.
And if your 9 and 10 year olds would find the finished skin cool?

I will be doing this with a one hour budget per session in two sessions as an afterschool project.

Story Skins; Native Arts
first step
Tell the children Indian Creation stories.
Have them draw on 8/11 paper with crayons Indian pictographs; horses, animal tracks, thunderbirds, coyotes, warriors and teepees while they are being told the stories.

Using a brown grocery paper bag cut a "skin" shape and with pencils lay out a story picture. Crumple the paper to "age" it.(fun physical activity)

Decorate edges with diamonds and beadwork motifs.
end first session

Without Children
Adult reduces the paper drawings to eraser size copies. Glues drawings to eraser and cuts out a stamp for each drawing.

With Children

Use thinned acrylic paint in paper cups to "stamp" on the drawing and use permanent markers to outline and finish the story skin.

Pin up on bulletin board or kids wall with yarn ties attached to dot pins.

If you would be so kind as to offer your experienced opinion on the projects chances of winning with the kids, I would be very indebted to you.

coyote

Guest

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Feb 11, 2003 7:01 AM

My child is only 3, so I am somewhat speculating here. I think you might need to simplify the stamping process. I see that you have the drawings going onto erasers with an adult cutting the erasers. Have you thought about some kind of a simpler stamping process, maybe drawing directly onto bigger sponges and then cutting the sponges for stamps? Or you could use that craft sheet foam for the stamps too, easy to draw on and cut with normal scissors. Children love process and will appreciate something they can do themselves and even do again at home. Parents also love things that their kids can do easily again at home

.
I think they'll do fine with the story idea.

jaime longoria

Posts: 1,161
Registered: Oct 7, 2002

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Feb 11, 2003 3:12 PM

> My child is only 3, so I am somewhat speculating
> here. I think you might need to simplify the
> stamping process. I see that you have the drawings
> going onto erasers with an adult cutting the erasers.
> Have you thought about some kind of a simpler
> stamping process, maybe drawing directly onto bigger
> sponges and then cutting the sponges for stamps? Or
> you could use that craft sheet foam for the stamps
> too, easy to draw on and cut with normal scissors.
> Children love process and will appreciate something
> g they can do themselves and even do again at home.
> Parents also love things that their kids can do
> easily again at home

.
> I think they'll do fine with the story idea.

Thank you very much for thinking about the process.

You are right about using a simpler stamping material.

I will try it and see what happens.

Jaime

Guest

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Feb 20, 2003 7:41 PM

2 great supportive websites for artist moms
There are a lot of websites for women artists and feminist women artists, but not many geared to the specific needs of moms and not many truly open to the 3D craft media.

www.mamaphonic.com - geared toward writers, also includes visual artists who want to write more

www.artistmoms.com - Finally a website for moms who are artists, inclusive of all media. They've got a yahoogroups email list too.

Gabriel Combs

Posts: 1,497
Registered: Jun 16, 2002

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Mar 25, 2003 7:26 PM

Anybody know of any artist fathers websites? In regards to fatherhood, parenting, art, lifestyle, ect...

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Mar 25, 2003 9:28 PM

I just found a great one! Artist Moms.
http://www.artistmoms.com/index.html

They are asking for submissions from parenting artists. They even have a gallery for your kids work.
If I had kids I would be totally into this site. Have fun.
r.r.

Gabriel Combs

Posts: 1,497
Registered: Jun 16, 2002

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Mar 25, 2003 9:35 PM

That site is for mothers. I am looking for something for fathers. Or even "parents" where it is not automatically assumed the audiences are women.

Guest

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Mar 25, 2003 10:17 PM

It's pretty tough to find any websites dedicated to the artist juggling childcare & artwork. Finding a mom's site was hard. I expect finding a father's site will be harder.
I've searched ezboards and Xanga blogrings, but haven't found anything beyond artistmoms yet. I haven't searched listservs. The artistmoms site is open to anyone, man or woman, that is the primary caregiver for children. But I understand that you'd want something with a few more men on it.

Tell us here. What are your frustrations?

Gabriel Combs

Posts: 1,497
Registered: Jun 16, 2002

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Mar 25, 2003 10:50 PM

" The artistmoms site is open to anyone, man or woman, that is the primary caregiver for children. But I understand that you'd want something with a few more men on it. "

That entire site is for women by women. Which is fine, but few men are going to feel comfortable with that. Its not aimed at me, as a father, about me, or for me. I imagine there is some other site out there that I have yet to find...

I was the primary caregiver for the first 2 yrs and 3 months of my daughter's life, before she started daycare. About the same time, her mother and I seperated, never having gotten married. Any rights I have to my child are now granted me by her mother. Thats more than frustrating. Its ridiculous. An unmarried father has to sign a paper saying he is the father, upon the birth of his child. I think we all know the way the courts lean, at least in MN. as far as custody, rights and such go for parents. The dynamics behind the "dead-beat dad" are sometimes more complex than imagined. My child's mother told me recently that she was considering changing my daughter's last name from mine to hers. I have no say in this. I offered a compromise of hyphenation. No, that would be confusing. I realize this is all just one individual case, but as a father, and an artist with all the emotions, sensitivities and passions, you end up feeling shafted. I miss my child as I am SURE a lot of other fathers do. Its being made increasingly difficult to be an unwed father. As I think there has been a backlash of oppression against women, there will be a post-feminism driven by fathers who have been left childless and castrated.

Ray Rolfe

Posts: 3,263
From: Northeast Minneapolis
Registered: Sep 5, 2001

Re: Parenting and Childcare
Posted: Mar 26, 2003 2:18 AM

I feel for you. My best friend is going thru some of the same stuff with his two kids and their mom.
I did a search on "creative single father". While I didn't find any specifically artist slanted sites, I did find stuff that recognizes that Fathers often get unequal rights legally and have to struggle harder. Good support groups and information advice. Here are some that may be of interest to you.

American Coalition for Fathers & Children
Providing resources to promote equal rights for Fathers who are trying to remain an integral part in raising their children. http://www.acfc.org/

Dads Against Discrimination
Organization providing resources to promote equal rights for Fathers. http://www.peak.org/~jedwards/DADS.html

Has she attempted to change or has changed your child's last name? You could be the victim of Parental Alienation Syndrome. Does she actively sabotage your relationship with your children? http://www.childalienation.com/

And here is something cool I just found! Did you know the dude who created Snap, Crackel and Pop from Rice Krispies is a singel father? neither did I. And he is also one hell of a self taught artist! Here is a quote.
"He tried his hand at painting. He was none too interested in that. Well, not in the normal sense that is. Sure, he used a paint brush, but he used it on the sides of buildings and on storefronts! Windows and walls! To top it off, he even turned his truck, or should I say trucks, into canvases, with spray paint and masking tape! What that man can do with any sort of artist's medium in his hand is astounding and seemingly endless! He has had no training whatsoever and just when you think he's found his niche, he picks up and masters something new."
Maybe you guys would have alot in common to talk about. Here is his contact info: Charlie@BullRunArt.com or artistic_cowboy30@yahoo.com
Heres the site i found this on http://bullrunart.com/artist.html

Hope I helped you find something new...
And in my opinion, a hyponated name is NOT confusing! Your daughter NEEDS to know who her father is and have you in her life. How selfish of your ex to atempt to do that. I hope this is not out of place to say. I don't have kids but it still upsets me because no child should suffer the loss of their father due to their mothers whims.
Ray

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