A Love of Art

Partly to remain sane, partly because there is so much to celebrate, we have been inspired to create, with Oscar (no surprise!) at the centre of our project, “Oscar, the Naked Knight”.

Questionable parenting?
Is it exploitative to take pictures of your naked child as he tears around the house, cape flying out behind him, bare bum winking at you as he sprints past?  Especially if you think that these images, tastefully doctored, will create the basis for a fabulous kids’ book?  I have to say no (but perhaps I’m not the most objective audience).

There is something to be said for recklessly committing to creative projects, despite their dubious financial potential.  This idea grew out of an off-hand comment of Ivan’s and a casual chat over coffee with a friend (who happens, also, to be a fabulous photographer).

Saturday(ironically Hallowe’en) dawned bright and sunny, although a little too cold to photograph our star outside in the buff.  (However, since I have an ace up my sleeve regarding how to tackle that problem, well, it wasn’t one.)  Oscar was fascinated by the cameras and other photographic equipment, and seemed keen to get started.  Also Ivan’s birthday, we decided to celebrate our creative endeavour with a glass of wine (the sun was barely over the yardarm, but it WAS a special occasion).  No sooner had our friend set up her gear than Oscar was twirling around her and brandishing his sword saying, “Carey – please take some pictures of me?”  A very solid ego our boy has.  And so, the shoot began.

Have at you!
It was a joy to watch Oscar take direction, strike poses and generally camp it up.  He was a whirling dervish of enthusiasm, concentration and high spirits.  Every now and then he stopped to have a snack break – his delicacy of choice? Crab! - who could blame him?  Helmet on;  helmet off.  Sometimes with his breastplate on; most often wearing just his cape and sword, he did laps of our spacious living room.  His blond curls framing a face lit with excitement as he lunged and parried and then paused to take in his own reflection in the bathroom mirror…He was a joy to watch and his energy fed our creative impulses as the sunlight did our spirits.

Next steps?
Some photo editing, more brainstorming and a translation of our hastely diagrammed storyboard, and we’re on our way to creating what I hope will be a truly enjoyable read.  Along the way it will have been a fabulous experience, a memorable vision of our happy, oft-naked boy, and a much-needed creative boost to help brighten what has tended to be a sometimes dreary and trying autumn.

And the book itself?
I’ll keep you posted…