Time to Face it.... the book is almost done!!!!

This is the face page of my book. By far the creepiest and most fun of all....even for grownups. Now let's hope it doesn't scare my kid. It's essentially a 2D version of Mr. Potato. As an educational buffet, this page will be a way to help Skyler understand emotional facial cues and vocabulary, teach the parts of the face and demonstrate how velcro works.  As a purely fun distraction, it's wicked weird and uber silly.

The page was essentially nothing very demanding after all the other pages.... just a series of appliques. But the challenge was making the little face pieces. They are all in vanilla colored denim with a fabric interface stiffener.... essentially stiff and puffy. The edges are satin stitched with heavy duty thread and then I painted them. I really was trying to avoid non-sewing methods... but this just demanded it. I could have spent the time trying to make the faces with stitches and applique but ultimately they would have been very simplistic. Not at all the weird fun I wanted to make. This illustrates a lesson I have long since learned in art... be flexible. Make a plan but be prepared to abandon it altogether when the art demands it.

 I think that principle guides my decisions as a parent as well. I try to plan the day for Skyler... so that he eats enough food, sleeps the right amount of time... plays a lot... but ultimately I let Sky determine how the plan actually turns out. I trust that he knows what's best for him. I realize that this goes against many parenting techniques but I truly think that my job is to help him be the best he can be.... just like my art. They both need my help to actualize but they inherently create their own destinies. I only hope to be wise enough to listen to and see them clearly so that I can provide the richest environment for that growth. And if I'm really wise, the art.. and Skyler will teach me something new in the process. I have to say that is the best part of this whole journey... the challenges, the obstacles, the learning. And it never ends. Kind of like this book. Now to finish putting it together... that will be a blog unto itself.