An Easy Mothers Day Gift – Abstract Art for Kids

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We’ve all been there .. you’re strolling through an art museum and you see something that makes you say “Hey, My kid could do that!” Of course, any artist would tell you that the creative process only looks easy because they are so talented. But sometimes, art really is just that easy. Abstract Art for kids is a great way to get your child’s creative juices flowing, or even make the perfect gift!

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and if your life is anything like mine that doesn’t mean getting ready for a day of sitting poolside sipping mimosas (I wish!). No, it means scrambling to find just the right gift for your mother, your mother-in-law, your grandmother and every other mom in your life as well as corralling the kids together to make the perfect handmade craft or card for those women. But what about you? You work hard all year – you deserve a day of appreciation and pampering!!

Believe me if I could do it I would send everyone of you on an all-expenses paid spa day. Since I don’t have a money tree, I’ll do the next best thing – I’ll help make this holiday just a little easier with a fun and easy DIY gift that your kids can make and the moms in your life will actually want to display (I’m looking at you crooked Popsicle stick picture frame!)

The painting above was painted by Goose earlier this month (he’s 4!) and I really gave him very little guidance. I presented him with a previously selected assortment of acrylic paints – he’s all boy and would have garnished the painting with a healthy dose of brown and olive – ick! then I instructed him to paint a series of vertical lines and he took it from there.

My only mistake was not clarifying that he didn’t need to paint his name at the bottom of the painting 🙂 Fortunately he was so excited about his work that he requested to make a second painting so we have one VERY well signed edition for ourselves and another to gift to a family member. Admittedly the second painting (unsigned edition) came out much better than the first. I think he had a better idea of what I was asking of him and he was able to work more quickly which resulted in better blending.

Tips & Tricks

As I mentioned above, I strongly recommend that you choose your color palette ahead of time and only offer your child the colors that you wish for them to use.
Offer brushes in several widths to create variation in the lines
Paint the canvas with a layer of white Ghesso or similar to keep the acrylic paint from drying to quickly – you want the colors to blend together. For best results you would use oil paints, but they just aren’t kid friendly at all.
When the canvas dries, if you feel like the colors blended too much or it just needs a little something extra you can have your child embellish it with oil pastels.
I strongly encourage putting down a trash bag or old newspapers on your child’s work surface and covering their clothes with a painting smock – unless the paint splattered look is your thing. Very 80’s chic!