heart felt design

I just love this scrunchie face! This is my little Samuel Levi. He is the youngest of my brood and being two years old, is also the one who gives me the most trouble. He is often referred to as the cereal killer due to his propensity to dump entire bowls, and sometimes boxes of cereal on the floor and crush said cereal with his feet. He also goes by the aliases of Samster the hamster, Sama lama ding dong, Sammy the Fish, Sammy, Sammy hammy or my favorite, made up by his then three year old sister, Sammy bear.

My kids are my life and the inspiration behind most everything I do. I have always been an artist to some extent. Some of my earliest memories are of coloring in favorite coloring books that no one else was allowed to touch for fear they would ruin the pages by coloring outside the lines. Art has always been an escape for me. A way to relax and release my creative energy, but it wasn't always encouraged. For a time I came to believe what family was saying, that a career in art was a waste of time, that I had no real talent and my dreams of art school were brushed aside. For a long time I didn't draw, paint or do anything creative. Then I had children. Some of my favorite times with them are just painting and drawing together.

I am so happy to see my children grow up in an environment where creativity is encouraged. Sammy is just learning how to put crayon to paper but seeing his eyes light up with expectation as he shows me his latest picture is so much fun to me. I pray that my children grow up confident in who they are, able to think outside the box, and unafraid to pursue their creative interests. I hope that by starting my little business at home they will see that you can do what you love even if its just on the side.

Here are some of my favorite pictures of the McClary family having fun and getting our art on. :P