kuophoto blog

My daughter  is 6, and continually makes creations 24/7. From the time she wakes up before school, to when she comes back, before dinner, whenever, and wherever. I should buy stock in 3M for all the scotch tape she uses. She uses scraps of whatever is lying around, cutting, clipping, stringing and taping with a purpose that also seems altogether random at the same time. It’s the most wonderful thing to witness. No over thinking, no analyzing, no considering.  She is a conduit for this endless source of creativity. It’s limitless and most of all, it’s fearless. And there is no sense of right or wrong until…she goes to school and is exposed to her peer group of 1st graders. It’s then that she realizes that her way of “seeing” is unconventional. And this effects her way of “being”. She has come to me with questions about this and I tell her to embrace her own vision and that if someone else makes fun of it or teases her about it, it’s simply because they can’t see it for themselves. I have had no influence over her creations. I wish that I could take credit. Any amount of credit. She has not seen my work, nor rarely sees me at work. It’s her own view of the world and I wish I had it. To witness the abandon that comes with not having yet developed a fear of being self-conscious  is  truly liberating.  There is no baggage. Not even a carry-on, no destination. The sad thing is, that many other first graders are already afflicted with being self-conscious and I often times see them frozen and afraid to express freely what’s in their hearts for fear of being ridiculed while at the same time mock anyone who doesn’t fit the mold. This is first grade.  I’m deeply saddened it begins at such a tender age. I impress upon my daughter that if someone doesn’t understand her way of seeing the world, it’s only because they can’t see it for themselves. Where would the Vivienne Westwood’s, Alexander McQueen’s or the Philip Treacy’s of this world be if they had listened to the peanut gallery? It takes commitment and bravery to be yourself. And in the end, that is the only person you have to live with.

paper mask and tu tu

unicorn headdress

skirt: cut-up felt puzzle wrap. sash: wrapping paper, fax paper and magic marker

materials. busy at work