Changing Up My Kids Gallery Wall

My kids DIY gallery wall is getting new art work. As my house has been changing the kids wanted to change out their art so it coordinated with the new look, too. 

Sam and Gabe love to watch me paint. After I finished my newest floral painting for the kitchen (which will be revealed this Friday) Gabe felt in the mood to do a painting or two to upgrade the gallery wall. He also used up his screen time for the day, so he was looking for an activity to fill his time. 😉 So, I took advantage of our time together and taught him a few painting techniques that Van Gogh used in his paintings.

The best way to teach an artist’s painting style is to just dive in and practice as you paint.

I have a few Van Gogh books so Gabe and I looked at a lot of his work before we chose two that Gabe felt confident enough to try to do his own version based from Van Gogh’s masterpieces.

Here’s Van Gogh’s works we thought would be fun to replicate.

Wheat field with Partridge by Vincent van Gogh

Gabe’s version

Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh

Gabe was too intimidated and tired to do sunflowers so I taught him how to paint fast roses instead.

Gabe’s version

I love moments like these where my child is so engaged in a fun project and I’m teaching them. Painting and talking about art and technique doesn’t happen with a 10 year old boy very often.

The paintings did take a little longer than he wanted. But the results were so worth the extra time. Gabe was so, so proud of his paintings. Even Sam, (my teenager) stopped what he was doing to soak in what Gabe finished.

Each weekend the boys are putting together new artwork for their gallery wall. This past weekend I had to be in Chicago for work to explore the International Houseware Show (I’ll be sharing all my good finds with you next week). This time I took the family with me. While I was busy working at the show, they hit up a couple of museums, The Blue Man Group, headed to the top of a couple skyscrapers and ate some Chicago-style deep dish pizza. After seeing amazing art the boys are even more eager to experiment and paint in new ways for the gallery wall.

I love this wall. I love that it’s a space dedicated to my boys where they get to show their sweet imaginations and talents. Art is so powerful, so healing and moving. I am a strong believer in art. There is a surprising power within it that creates an extraordinary happiness.

XOXO

Melessa