And What to My Wondering Eyes...

Maya's first exhibition was a surprise for all! Apparently this had been in the works in secluded, focused energy where the artist separated herself from the influences around her by isolating herself in the playhouse in the backyard. Once revealed, this surprise creation created quite a stir around budding artist (i.e. her mom was very impressed). Her fearless debut in objectivism was a large and bold announcment of her arrival!

Stained Glass

I was surprised at what a hit this project was. Cambria was completely absorbed for 3 hours while we listened to conference. Here are the happy artists:
First we peeled crayons. Then they peeled off shavings onto wax paper with potato peelers.
Then they folded the wax paper over the shavings, placed a dishtowel over the whole thing and ironed.

They removed it and cut it into the shape they wanted and voila!

Maya's finished product

Cambria's finished product

They each made quite a few and loved every second of it. In fact, Cambria asked if she could say a prayer while we were waiting for the iron to heat up (I unplugged it between each piece):

"Dear HF, We're thankful for this project and I hope we can do it again and I hope my next one turns out beautiful." And it did indeed.

Caima's Plate Drawing

Cambria got a plate making kit for her birthday last year (thanks Kell!) We finally got around to making it! Here's the picture that will be transformed to a plate. I had to show her how to draw most of the letters (all but C, a, and m) but the rest she did on her own. Our scanner wasn't big enough to fit it all on, but you get the idea. (Notice the tiny one--the coming baby!)

Daddy a Long Time Ago

A few months ago, I was working in the office when Cambria came in to show me her picture. I asked her who it was.

"Daddy, a long time ago."

Infusing the artists own feelings into the piece, she projected her own opinions about his old look onto the face of the subject.

Using found materials and the wall separating our kitchen from the family room, Cambria proudly presented her work. She seems to be pushing traditional definitions: it seems to be an installation, yet she named it "Sculpture", insinuating that nothing is as it seems.

Her work received rave reviews from the viewers, who were overjoyed to have the materials used put to a more aesthetically pleasing use than the former position scattered on the floor.

Portrait of a Young Girl

"Maya with Boogers"

The artistic honesty in her last piece resulted in an incriminating assessment on current social affairs in the household. With the accurate representation of the artist's sister, Cambria makes a statement about her mother's negligence.

Note: The call for action has been heeded and more attention is being given to the subject.

Have a Very Bohemian Christmas

Apparently there are hippies in heaven, too.

*I should note that small parts of this were drawn by mom per request of the artist: 2.5 of the crowns, 3 of the lips, and one pair of eyes. All fashions are 100% Cambria design.

Street Art

Cambria has turned to the streets as a venue of expression and inspiration (since she really has no other options right now considering we live in a parking lot).

Here is her first street portrait called, "Monster". Notice the very long extensions coming from the scary monster that she said were "sharp fingernails". He protects our house. I wouldn't want to mess with that guy.

Cambria's First Objective Work!

Pardon me if I get a little informal in her portfolio, but I'm a little giddy right now. Cambria was sitting on the crouch drawing while waiting for me to fix breakfast and I walked in and saw this in her lap. I couldn't believe she did it! A 2 3/4 years old, it's her first objective piece ever! Complete with ears, eyeballs, and scarf, i think it's the cutest little guy ever!


I asked her to draw another so I could watch. This is her second guy. Maybe it's because he came up in conversation on Saturday, but I think he looks a little like one of my ex boyfriends circa 1998. (The Dozshe!)

Much like Michael Jordon's signature tongue sticking out during the zenith of his skill, Cambria has her concentration game face. Her tongue assists in full focus of creativity.

Trying to capture the look better, I caught a startled glance, mid paint stroke, with game face in full power.


(I find this especially amusing as a result of being teased for the embarrassing "Bart Simpson face" that results from unconsciously contorting my mouth while I play the piano.)

New Movement - Post Ingestionism

Maya has entered the art scene. She is innovative. She is creative. She is hungry.

This new movement is full of the kind of irony and self mockery that screams for media attention. Her love of art-turn-theatrics is of the essence of the age. I think Maya Cook represents the exploratory nature and frustration that that resonates in all one year olds.

She starts presumably conservative: marker in hand, sweeping repetitive strokes across the paper. Soon, the theatric begin. Maya is not content for the observer to assume that this is the apogee of one-year-old expression. Her marks begin making statements of freedom on the table, then chair, then on her clothes. The observer is sucked into her intense exposition and can't help but feel her supressed desire to be understood. But, this is not enough for Maya. To sear the point into the observer's understanding she thrusts the marker into her mouth and rips off the tip and eats her very mode of expression. The observer is left with an unmistakable realization of her inability to communicate her true feelings. She hopes will result in a heightened awareness and sensitivity to the one-year-old psyche, more sugar, and no naps.

Her new show opened day before mothers day and although the opening was not well attended (only her mother and sister showed up), I think the movement is gaining recognition as her pieces have been flown across the states and were well received in New Mexico and Texas at a Mother's Day celebration.

Her Ever Expanding Canvas

It started with this: face painting at the museum. I painted a simple butterfly on her two-year-old face.


But Cambria, leading the equal-rights-for-two-year-olds movement insisted that she paint my face, too.


Her cousin, Isaac, joined the revolution.


Face painting equality=fair. Her getting a butterfly and me getting an oil spill=not fair.



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Painting like the Ancients

Cambria discoved that berry juice makes a great dye. While I was bathing Maya, Cambria was busy at work with the raspberries. I caught her as she was working on her back (she's very thorough). I took off her shirt to avoid minor stains, but I ended up avoiding a new colored shirt.

Collaboration

Cambria's cousins visited us this weekend from So.Cal. Cambria wanted to share her drawing table for some collaborative creativity. Maggie, who is 4, drew this picture of her mom - "It's mommy's dimples." Cambria's work didn't seem to be much affected by the objective influence.




Cambria's first piece. Sometimes I want to stop her at different points in the process because I get worried that she will overwork the piece and make it muddy, but she is very decisive about when it is done or not. This was not complete until she balanced the green with the purple.




A study in minimalism.




This was actually her first peice of the day.




After cousins left, she finally gave in to her little sister, Maya's protests of being left out. This was Maya's first time with a Marker. She was doing stellar until her age got the best of her and she ate off the tip of the marker.




The vibrant color was not good enough for just one sensory experience.




Her first piece. It continued onto the table-- an instillation of sorts-- but we only captured the paper work.

I experimented today. I turned on mellow feminine music (innocence mission) and showed her pictures of flowers (from a calendar), then set up her easel and paints to see if her style came out softer. Here is the first result:




Here is it's inception:




This is the second painting:




Initiating it:






What do you think? Did it make a difference? Compare to previous paintings below:

No Water & Art

Even without water, she finds her way into her porcelain canvas and creates a vision of color. Here is the artist working on the inner walls.

Water & Art

Loved this one. She's very thorough, not missing any cracks or holes in the grout/caulk, to ensure that no matter how hard we try to clean it--her art will endure.

Photography

Cambria has recently become very interested in photography and sets up scenes then solicits mom and dad to take a picture. She then checks if it's satisfactory, sometimes changing something and requiring a re-take, sometimes pleased with the results. This was one she directed and liked.

Attempt to Impress

Since dealing with Cambria's passion for "coloring" (she hates crayons) since she could use a marker (which has only been about six months), I have wondered if she will turn out to be an introverted, heady, aloof artist. If this is the case, will she feel stereotypically misunderstood? Will she end up alone and missing a body part from some fit of passion?

I was concerned, until Cindy introduced me to Granteeny's blog. As a true Texan's wife should, I am now determined to convince the world, but mostly Grant, of Cambria's brilliance so that when she turns 19 he'll be back from a mission and she'll be on the top of his list.

Now, I know her pieces are not quite as developed and mature as Grant's are, but she barely turned two, so give her a little slack.

I hope you know I'm joking. Well, at least 90% joking.

(mixed media--notice the glitter dot)

(this is my personal favorite)

(there is a little "poke tree" in this one)
































She has a Cy Twombly, too!