Painting with a 10-year-old

Granddaughter Lucy Kate turned 10 last week and we had a painting date yesterday. She had 2 small canvases, I had one. I told her there are no rules, but maybe a few suggestions.  I told her about big and small and different and dark and light. Maybe 2 sentences and that she could disregard everything and just play. And she did. That girl. She made one painting so busy! And another one so dark. And then more.  We shared a palette.  We listened to classical music. And she kept at it—for hours. Layer upon layer. She said this was so much more fun than an ‘art class’ where she had to follow directions at every step. Then, although it produced a ‘product’ she liked, she knew it was not her own creation. This was. So much to learn from watching this girl! Then we partied like a bunch of 10-year-olds! 

Lucy and her 2 paintings at her Birthday Party.