What do gumballs have to do with gifts?

For those who were out at the market the past few weeks you may have seen me working on this vintage gumball machine. Because so many people have asked if I was the artist, I decided a few weeks ago to sit and paint at my booth. It's been a very rewarding experience that I know I would have been too stressed to enjoy a few years ago. In fact, I'm finding that the starting and stopping while chatting with customers has actually helped me to relax more while I paint!

I can't tell you how many children pass by and talk to me about loving art and wanting to paint too. They share about how they like to draw but wish they could get their paint sets out more. I'm thinking that I may just have to set up a little table with watercolors and paper for some of them to have fun with! A parent may hesitate to let their kids play with mess-making things at home, but out at a farmers market ... the kids are most likely sticky from the kettle corn and dirt already. 


Most of the parents I meet have enjoyed having their kids watch me paint and ask questions. One thing is for certain, you never know what direction pushing yourself to try new things will take on!