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Artist For Hire
April 9, 2012
You know proud mama's - they love to share the amazing things their children are up to. I'm certainly no different.
A few months ago Laurent was given a commission by one of our blogging friends Brian Green. Laurent was thrilled with the project and I was so proud of how diligently he worked on it.
Practice sketches and color blending. Internet research to try and figure out exactly how to give black marker a "gloss". I helped with some of the research but in no way could assist with the artwork - that was all Laurent's doing.
This weekend Brian revealed the commission on his blog. That's Laurent's artwork as the new header for Brian's blog.
Having an artist in residence has many advantages but I still do pay Laurent a small commission for the artwork he does for my blog (my subscribe and follow buttons at the top were done by Laurent).
I can't write about Laurent's art without a little homeschooling speak.
One of my favorite homeschooling books is not about homeschooling at all but a book about success. Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell deconstructs why and how people become successful. One of the things that really grabbed me in this book is the amount of time successful people put into their "craft", whatever that may be.
Now, I'll tell you that "worldly" success (ie: fame & fortune) is not one of our homeschool goals. But we do want our children to be successful at what they love to do. In Laurent's case that is drawing (and some other stuff but drawing is a dominant theme in his life).
Gladwell's book encouraged me that as a homeschooler I can give my children those 10,000 hours to become really good at something, if they so choose. I love this freedom in our lives. And I love that Laurent can grow his skill for hours every day at such a young age.
This reminds me also of the podcast I listened to recently with Jamie & Tsh at Simple Mom podcasts. I feel very much the same as Jamie does, that we give our children as much time as possible to develop their stengths because that is where they are really going to shine. Their true talents are not going to grow while spending an inordinate effort to bring their weaknesses up to the mediocre level. Rather, our children will really bloom when we encourage and allow time for them to develop their strengths.
This is one of the major reasons we homeschool. To give our children time. To grow into who they want to be.
Laurent (with Damien's help) wrote up this bio to accompany his artwork.
Laurent is an 11 year old homeschooled artist, and wishes to remain one (an artist that is) for many years to come. His favorite things to draw are wildlife and nature subjects, and his favorite medium is pen and markers. Laurent loves the outdoors, nature, and animals. He is a hiker, a lightweight backpacker, and a backcountry skier. His dream is to find a career that incorporates being both a naturalist and an artist. For now, he earns some pocket money by selling cards on his blog, and doing the odd commission as opportunities arise.
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Brian Green on April 9, 2012, 2:05 p.m.
I'm so excited to see these photos of Laurent hard at work, not only on the artwork he did for me but on other things too. I've been drawing since as far back as I can remember and ended up going to college to become a professional illustrator - skills I don't use as often as I like, but which are 100% valid in today's technological workplace - we need creative thinkers.
I hope Laurent's sudden online fame won't distract him from his studies and know that you will stay on top of him about that. You have a very talented young man and it's refreshing to see and hear that you are encouraging him to explore his passion.
By the way, and from what I've read of you beautiful blog, your girls are equally talented in their on ways. You should feel very blessed and proud of them all :) Please thank Laurent for me - BG
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Stacy on April 9, 2012, 11:05 p.m.
Laurent's art is wonderful. I just showed my kids his blog and they were very impressed, too.
I love how you mention the time factor in being successful. It is one of my favorite aspects of homeschooling. My oldest writes and writes all day long. Whenever there is a spare moment, I find her writing a new book.
You can certainly tell that Laurent has invested a lot of time in his craft. Way to go!
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Nicole on April 9, 2012, 11:05 p.m.
So great! My son has been enjoying looking at Laurent's artwork blog today, and thinks his shoe drawing on this post is "awesome". It has inspired him to draw today using the art supplies that the Easter bunny brought! Thank you for always sharing your creative home with all of us!
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Anastasia @ Eco-Babyz on April 10, 2012, 3:14 a.m.
That's awesome! I'm convinced that if I didn't have to spend hours and hours on public school busy work, I would have become an artist - and a pretty great one. I was good, really good, just needed a lot more practice. Something that isn't possible with conventional schooling. I am homeschooling our kids though and I am so looking forward to seeing what they will become!
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Lisa on April 10, 2012, 3:38 a.m.
It has been very interesting following Laurent's journey as an artist on your blog. He reminds me some of my son-the same type of reading struggles and love for art. I am wondering if Laurent would be available to via Skype or some sort of tech. to teach art lessons to my son? Lisa
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Amanda on April 10, 2012, 10:15 p.m.
Laurent's artwork is really wonderful! I love his bird and nature drawings best of all. How great for him that he is getting a chance so early in life to see how following your passion can be financially positive as well as personally fulfilling!
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Kika on April 12, 2012, 12:20 a.m.
Great work, Laurent. I enjoy all your work but enjoy the boats and vehicles you've been adding to your site - especially as this is not a subject that I see much of in my home.
I find that with some varied interests in our home my kids are still busy - not spending hours and hours on one interest but divided somewhat between sports, music and other creative pursuits. My husband was like this and couldn't decide on just one main interest.
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Brittany on April 12, 2012, 2:50 a.m.
Rock on Laurent!
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Visty on April 16, 2012, 2:42 p.m.
Your blog is just what I needed to find today. I homeschooled my two oldest for a while when they were younger, and then we moved. To a town where we knew nobody and where the values are money, home, and sports. We don't belong to a church, we have very little extended family and they are all far away. We were lonely. I felt the pressure of these isolated kids bubbling up and I enrolled them in school. I do regret it.
Now they are both in middle school and say they want to stay on this path. I have to respect that, but now I've got this 5 year old who will either go to Kindergarten in the fall or stay home. I want her to stay home. The path would be harder for her watching her siblings go to school every day. But I just can't help thinking school isn't for her.
Finding your blog today and reading your posts on loneliness, conviction, and homeschooling has given me a lot to think about.
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Stephanie L on April 17, 2012, 7:21 p.m.
What beautiful work Laurent. I am partial to the sailboat and will have to order something with that on it soon! Absolutely beautiful work.
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Erika on April 23, 2012, 2:20 a.m.
That is just so inspiring to see his artwork. It is such a gift to know what you want to be when you are younger and then to be given the time to grow and develop those gifts. I love Outliers as well, definitely one of those books that just made me re-think everything and it also gave me so much encouragement to realize that all I (or my children) need is 10000 hours to become excellent at something.
Laurent's art style and his interest as a naturalist and artist would lead well into studying illustration, which he is already doing amazingly on his own.
It is such an exciting time to be an artist right now because there are so many possibilities and avenues open that didn't exist when I was a student - particularly with online sales. He would probably have a great time with Etsy.
That was an amazing blog header he made!
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Catherine Forest on April 9, 2012, 1:50 p.m.
I just can't get over how talented Laurent is. The first time I saw his art I was blown away. And I still have the same feeling everytime. I LOVE allowing my girls all the time in the world to explore their passion and talents. Congrats for the contract, Laurent! You really are up to such a challenge!