A local gallery is hosting an exhibit of children’s artwork to which our family was invited to contribute. The theme for the show is “Portraits” and work in any medium is welcomed. Our submissions are headed out the door this afternoon, so I thought I would show them off while I had the chance.

So, from youngest to oldest, I present you with Galen Michael Millar’s most recent masterpiece…

Màiri and Galen in felt and glue

Now I must confess, I committed a major creative parenting faux pas with this project. When we sat down to work on it, I strongly encouraged the boys to make someone that they know. I thought it would be helpful if they had someone that they could look at or see a picture of or at least picture in their head. My middlest boy wanted nothing to do with this idea. And I coaxed and cajoled. Why exactly?? I’m really not sure. Why on earth would I try to suppress a creative impulse?!? I think I was mostly afraid that he would only have a vague idea of what he was trying to create and therefore wouldn’t really get into what he was doing. But he stood his ground and proved me wrong and I’m so, so glad he did!

All the while that he was working on it, he just kept telling us that it was of a “nice person”. Once it was complete he announced that this was Joe Dreads.

Now Joe Dreads has been a fixture around my house for a year or so. He’s a fictional character that Elijah created that appears frequently in their play. Whenever I pictured him in my head, I always imagined a prominent head full of dreadlocks, but apparently the true Mr. Dreads prefers a top hat and possibly has a penchant for pink leopard print. Who knew? I’m told that he’s wanting his usual pipe, but it’s black and lacking black felt, he will have to do with out. Love it. Do let that be a lesson to me.

And finally coming back around to the family theme, we have Galen in his sunhat, by Mr. Iain Alexander…

Check out that smile!

I think we can safely say that there nothing else *quite* like them at the show!