Tracie Davis is Taking On The Creative with her two very creative kids! Oakley and Truman are not only throwing the noodles with Mom every day, but also showcasing their projects and ideas on Tracie's amazing blog. Besides being our Noodle Spotlight this week, Tracie has also been a Stick Of The Week! with tiny by design.
Dane, Truman, Tracie and Oakley
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On The Wall) with your kids?
Back in 2009, my daughter was turning one and I was a stay at home mom with a knack for art. One day, upon realization that her walls could hold no more, I started a business making artwork for children. Since the inception of tiny by design, I have added new noodles including a blog called, souls by design. The posts are mainly art posts, parenting and some other personal interests. One of my favorite topics to write about is doing art projects with my kids, Oakley (almost 4) and Truman (almost 2). Together, we love putting ourselves out into the world to see what we can make of it.
Back in 2009, my daughter was turning one and I was a stay at home mom with a knack for art. One day, upon realization that her walls could hold no more, I started a business making artwork for children. Since the inception of tiny by design, I have added new noodles including a blog called, souls by design. The posts are mainly art posts, parenting and some other personal interests. One of my favorite topics to write about is doing art projects with my kids, Oakley (almost 4) and Truman (almost 2). Together, we love putting ourselves out into the world to see what we can make of it.
Hickory Nuts Turned Little Bugs
Rocks become pet rocks, hickory nuts become little bugs, tissue paper a butterfly, toilet paper rolls become flowers and so much more. My kids have learned to see the world in a different way…one where everything is a potential project. We go on nature walks and they look for items to “paint” and “make into a craft." The kids have so much fun creating and I have great topics to include in my blog. It also feels good being a potential resource for parents to go to find projects for their kids. In fact, over the winter, I plan to add a parent resource page for people visiting my website. Here they will be able to find step by step creative projects (with my kids modeling each step), coloring pages derived from the artwork of tiny by design and much more!
Oakley at her easel
What role does creativity play in your home?
Creativity is everything to us. My daughter especially wants to paint, color or draw every single day. While my son naps, my daughter gets to pick how she will spend this time. Nine times out of ten she picks painting (does my heart good!). She has her own little art easel right next to mine in the studio where we paint side by side. When she finishes a painting she decides who to give it to. Usually it is her friend Allison, her Nana or me......Her “custoomers." My son is also really taking off with his creativity as well. He will frequently grab a crayon, marker or pen and ask for “papo” to write on.
Creativity is everything to us. My daughter especially wants to paint, color or draw every single day. While my son naps, my daughter gets to pick how she will spend this time. Nine times out of ten she picks painting (does my heart good!). She has her own little art easel right next to mine in the studio where we paint side by side. When she finishes a painting she decides who to give it to. Usually it is her friend Allison, her Nana or me......Her “custoomers." My son is also really taking off with his creativity as well. He will frequently grab a crayon, marker or pen and ask for “papo” to write on.
Truman with Garden Rocks
Creativity isn’t limited to art projects. Kids are naturally imaginative, so being creative is what they are born to do. Creativity is finding the perfect place for a fort, setting up a pretend doctor’s office, turning a kids chair upside down on their back and calling themselves a turtle…The creative happens every single day. The key is to simply be aware of it.
What inspires you to take on the creative with your kids?
The way they react to creativity is what inspires me to Take On The Creative with my kids. They have always had murals and canvas paintings covering their walls and in their play areas. I love the way they interact with their artwork and I see artwork shaping their lives. It makes me want them to be a part of my own creative process.
The way they react to creativity is what inspires me to Take On The Creative with my kids. They have always had murals and canvas paintings covering their walls and in their play areas. I love the way they interact with their artwork and I see artwork shaping their lives. It makes me want them to be a part of my own creative process.
Oakley with a paintbrush at the age of one
How do you nurture your child's creativity?
It is crazy how quickly a child’s mind grows. I nurture them by keeping them involved in the things I do for my business and help them when they want to create. My kids are my constant companions and when I have things that need to be done for tiny by design, I talk to them about what I am doing. I give them a chance to voice their opinions. Like, "What color should this dragon be?" or "What do you think I should name this painting?" They also have full creative control over their own art projects.
It is crazy how quickly a child’s mind grows. I nurture them by keeping them involved in the things I do for my business and help them when they want to create. My kids are my constant companions and when I have things that need to be done for tiny by design, I talk to them about what I am doing. I give them a chance to voice their opinions. Like, "What color should this dragon be?" or "What do you think I should name this painting?" They also have full creative control over their own art projects.
Pet Rocks
The pet rock project provides a great example. Truman and Oakley picked their own rocks, decided what each rock should become and when it came time to paint, they picked the colors (which is how our horse became blue). They also chose which eyes to use and the colors for the finishing touches. Finally, my daughter gave names to each rock and they still live in her room months later. The key factor in nurturing the creative in my children, is simply to be present for it and to let them run with their ideas.
Egg Carton Art
What sticky noodles can you offer other Moms taking on the creative with their kids?
Almost everything in your house can be made into a fun project for kids....Especially when coupled with some googly eyes. We keep a bin full of paper scraps, pipe cleaners, eyes, stickers and other little supplies that can be pulled out and put to use in just minutes. When my kids spot something they think will make a good project, we add it to our bin and now we have a collection of “project in a pinch” supplies. When we need a creative push, we love Disney's Family Fun magazine and website. They are full of great ideas and art projects. And we usually have the required supplies on hand!
Almost everything in your house can be made into a fun project for kids....Especially when coupled with some googly eyes. We keep a bin full of paper scraps, pipe cleaners, eyes, stickers and other little supplies that can be pulled out and put to use in just minutes. When my kids spot something they think will make a good project, we add it to our bin and now we have a collection of “project in a pinch” supplies. When we need a creative push, we love Disney's Family Fun magazine and website. They are full of great ideas and art projects. And we usually have the required supplies on hand!
What is your child's ideal noodle dish?
If you asked them, they would say, “mac and cheese." I just asked my daughter why she loves mac and cheese and she simply answered, "Because it’s my favorite. It’s yellow and it’s my favorite…that’s why.” Kids love the simple things.
If you asked them, they would say, “mac and cheese." I just asked my daughter why she loves mac and cheese and she simply answered, "Because it’s my favorite. It’s yellow and it’s my favorite…that’s why.” Kids love the simple things.
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