The Engineer, the Artist, the Athlete and the Fashionista: Part II - The Artist

Elliott is a self-proclaimed artist. He has always had a knack for drawing and the comprehension of colors. Before Elliott started Kindergarten, we as a family always admired his drawing and painting. We nurtured his interest by taking him to art gallery and showing him how to appreciate all forms of artwork and how to respect other artist.
 
Yeah…. appreciating all forms of artwork and how to respect other artist. That was a hard lesson for Elliott. On a trip to the Brooks Art Museum, many local artists had booths set-up outside to sell some of their work.
Elliott: (Loudly): What is this?
Me: These are some of the other artist in Memphis selling some of their arts and crafts.
Elliott: This doesn’t look like art to me. I really don’t know what all this is.
(The local artist begin to stare.)
Me: Elliott, art comes in all different forms and sizes. It's about creating, drawing or making something that speaks to you.
Elliott: Oh, okay then. But my artwork could be up here too.
Me: Yes, it could Elliott. You’re an artist too.

Then he proceeds to stand awkwardly close to many of the artist explaining how he is an artist, but not like them because his artwork is different.
Elliott is very serious about his artwork. If you ask him what he wants to be when he grows up, he will simply reply, “I’m already an artist, so I don’t have to wait until I grow up. See look! (Raises up his shirt.) You can see my ribs already!!! Whoever told him about the saying “a starving artist” shame on you!!!!!
Sometimes his seriousness about art gets a little out of hand. I have rarely, very rarely, had to be interrupted during instruction at work. Well, one day during Art Class, Elliott has a conniption fit. Apparently the Art Teacher instructed the class to draw a beautiful city landscape. Well, Elliott wasn’t feeling it. She brings him into my room and he is crying hysterically!!!!! He cries so hard that he throws up!!!!!!!! After about 10-15 minutes he calms down enough to tell me what happened.
Elliott: The teacher asks us to draw a beautiful city landscape, but that’s not what I feel like drawing! I want to draw a beautiful countryside!!!
Me: Elliott, you should what the teacher asked you to do.
Elliott: BUT THAT’S NOT WHAT I FEEL. THE ART TEACHER SHOULD UNDERSTAND THIS!!! SHE’S AN ARTIST TOO. ARTIST DRAW AND PAINT WHAT THEY FEEL!!!
Me: Whew…..Elliott, write a letter apologizing for you behavior and go back to class.
 
                His latest outburst was when another student was admiring his work and wanted to copy his drawing. Elliott politely yells, “I’M THE CAPTAIN OF THIS SHIP! YOU DO YOUR OWN DRAWING!!!”
Yep, that’s Elliott the Artist. And I love him!!!!

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