Tot art 3: you got it from me
I'm a genius. I may be crabby and lazy about swim lessons and such. But when it comes to solving that pesky tot art storage problem (as discussed here and here), Crabmommy has the last word.
If, like me, you can no longer handle or find room for the mountains of artwork issuing from preschool—but you can't/don't want to toss it—then Crabmommy's Tot-Art Curtain is for you. What am I talking about? Get ready to weep with joy or be crippled with envy when you see what I just invented:
You, too, can have one of these if you follow these 3 easy steps:
1. At Ikea, buy this thing they call a curtain wire. It costs less than five bucks.
2. String up the wire in the tot bedroom. But don't hang a curtain off it. This is no longer a curtain rail. Nor is it a washing line. It is a toddler artwork line.
3. Use accordingly, by attaching art with the clips provided.
Finally, a way to get the tot art out of the way! Finally, fridge, desk, and counter space are tot-art-free (and the artwork also brightens up the bedroom)!
Those Cookie stylist people are probably judging me right now, scrutinizing the pic of Crabtot's boudoir. Yes, I know she could use a bent-birch plywood modernist rocking horse. And that the walls should be orange. But Cookiepeeps, I live in a prefabricated house with unpaintable walls the consistency of gravel. So shove off, okay?
Let's go back to calling me a creative genius. I'm too humble to say it myself but...the evidence is plain. My God! I've become so craftastic! It's all this tot-bloggery. It's unleashed a great brilliance from deep within. MartyrMeters, Baby Bjorn Clip-On Food Trays, Hello Kitty cupcakes and now...this!
If only I'd developed the actual rail myself I could've packaged it and become a Million Dollar Mommy after all. Oh well. Enjoy, Momfriends, enjoy. I live to serve YOU.
I hate to say it crabmommy but you are a genius, I may have to go off and copy your fabulous idea for my sons's bare walls.
Thanks for the intriguing look at Crabtot's latest creations! I am seeing definite signs of a developing Abstract Expressionist/Post-Painterly Abstraction sensibility. The former is primarily manifest in a predilection for the classic Hans Hofmann school of push/pull compositional dynamics. This is particularly evident in the large composition with the multi-colored square elements set against a background of vibrant orange. The juxaposition of hard-edged geometric forms in primary colors against dense fields in secondary hues sets up a compelling pictorial tension. The smaller piece to the left shows a distinct affinity for the masterful abstract draftmanship of Joan Mitchell. Crabtot deftly manages to activate the full area of the composition with her deceptively simplistic mark-making while making full use of the possibilities of negative space. While only partially visible in this view, the piece to the right of the Hofmann-esque piece at right center suggests a homage to the great Cy Twombly. The small painting at far left appears to employ a similar strategy, but again echoing the work of Joan Mitchell (particularly her famed 'Black Painting' series of the mid-1960s). All in all, Crabtot must be applauded for her continuing efforts to process the primary modes of American abstraction of the early post-War period while deftly avoiding the clichés that, all to often, consign lesser talents to the ranks of the merely imitative. Crabtot's shrewd decision to continue to concentrate on works on paper is to be applauded: These paintings, small though they are, manifest the confidence and impact of large canvasses while preserving the intimacy and lack of pretension of sketches and studies. One hopes that she will continue to explore this richly diverse mode while simultaneously developing her own unique pictorial vocabularly. Bravo! Perhaps I am getting a bit ahead of myself, but can an early career retrospective be far off?
Inky,
What can I say? Me -- not much. But Crabhusband, who rarely visits these pages, was singularly impressed. Not so much by the totwork as by the reviewer.
Well, gawrsh, thanks! Please do watch for my forthcoming PBS series of art documentaries. In episode one I arm wrestle Sister Wendy (best two falls out of three), and in episode four Robert Hughes and I tear phone books in half!! Aesthetic fun for the whole family!
Hi Crabmommy!
I love your blog and I am a faithful Cookie reader. I actually interviewed for a job there a couple years ago (when it first launched).
I hope you'll come visit me at http://www.glamour.com/lifestyle/blogs/pregnant/
I would love for you to guest blog!
Best,
Chrissy from Storked!
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=218100864
Sorry chicky, I beat you to it....I have had this on my son's wall since he was 6 mths old! (He's now 3 1/2) Its a great idea...he loves putting his artwork up and rearranging it.
Hey again, crabmommy!
Would you like to guest blog on Storked!? Let me know. Hoping to swap emails and discuss. Do you have a myspace.com? Message me here: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=218100864
Thanks for the advice!
xo,
Chrissy
Bombaygirl, I am distraught! I love to see myself as the great original I clearly am not. Well done to YOU for thinking so clearly in the fog of hormones that is being a the mother of a six month old! Do send me any other ideas you might have and I SWEAR I will credit you with them instead of stealing them for my own purposes...[evil chuckle]
geniusmommy! gonna make me one of those- SA being the last unconquered IKEA outpost.
Sorry Crabbymommy...I have to admit that I didn't come up with the idea first. I actually stole it from a friend of mine, She had it up in her son's room, and I thought it was such a great idea! And she's usually not so creative!