Minds are like parachutes- if the cord breaks, you crash into a tree and die.

[captainsblog]

The call came less than an hour after Eleanor left for work, and as with many things around here, I was all kinds of clueless about it.

Em's art teacher was calling her at home on a weekend. Not totally unheard of- the kid is one of her star pupils- but the call was about something I knew nothing about.

An art show reception. At a local college- the one across the street from her high school- taking place in less than an hour.  Can I go, Dad, canIcanIcanI?

Of course, I replied. I have some other stuff to take care of, but I'll drop you off and get back in time to see whatever's in this show you're supposed to see.

::insert loud "wrong answer" buzzer and sound of my only child's crest falling::

Um, no. She needed me to go with her. Eventually, it developed in my slow-moving cranium that the artwork in question was hers.

Emotion ensued.  Finally, after convincing her that I simply hadn't understood the significance of the show at hand (I've dropped her off at that school for anime shows in the past, but this was not that), we set out- and got to see a collection of work by young artists that the college's art department head called "stunning," and with good reason.

Emily did not win any of the assorted awards given out at the reception. Except my much clearer understanding of her needs, and knowing I'd gained some up-close appreciation of her talent:



(That's a self-portrait, if you haven't met the grrl.)

We've long since made up,  but I really wonder sometimes why I can miss some of the most obvious things under my nose.

Comments

[thanatos-kalos.livejournal.com]

She is really talented, have I mentioned that?

[whyaduck.livejournal.com]

The Y chromosome has obliviousness as a talent sometimes.

[ellettra.livejournal.com]

what a beautiful painting!! that's a talented kid you've got there, ray! and don't be too hard on yourself for not getting it right away. you were forgiven forever the moment you saw her painting and your face lit up. trust me, i have a dad. :)

[meredith-mae.livejournal.com]

the one across the street from her high school

My mom (and step-father) went to that high school. And college (well, my mom did - stepfather went to Case Western when it was still Case, then Cal Tech). I was talking to someone once who said a kid she went to school with (same school district) though EVERYONE went to that college. Like, you start off in elementary school, then go to middle school, then high school, then you just move up to college. Sadly, he was in, like, 9th grade when it became known to his friends.

That's a gorgeous portrait, by the way. I wanted to be an art teacher when I was in grade school, however I lack the obvious talent needed. ;-)

[bluesilverkdg.livejournal.com]

She's a girl. Be prepared for years of subliminable messages and "hints."

In other news, WOW. I am always amazed by what a talented artist she is. I really, really hope that she pursues it as she gets older. She's the type of kid I always loved having in my class.

[luckycee.livejournal.com]

She is very talented! And you're a guy, so sometimes the obvious isn't so obvious to you. That's life.

[headbanger118.livejournal.com]

Awesome portrait! Love the attention to light. And yes, I have done the same thing as a parent. At times I have to work to remember that my child has no other life experience than the ones she is currently experiencing, and they are everything to her. If I think in those terms, I tend to experience a lot more with her and through her.