Painting Time!

I believe, giving drawing lesson for your kid could be a task you can do yourself, providing you could spare an hour or so (including setting up and cleaning up afterwards).  You really don’t have to be an artist to teach a preschooler.  As long as you know your basic colours and basic shapes, and show confidence when putting them on paper, you can teach your child to do it.

At this stage, the benefits we would like our little one to have is to introduce and build on their observation and concentration and skills.

The ideal session would take about 30 minutes for a 3-years old, and about 45 minutes for a 4-years old.

If your child is not too keen on sitting down with a piece of paper and pencil, then try to get a very simple outline drawing for 5-10 minutes first.  Then work on introducing colouring activity into the session that will increase session time.   Some children, like my boys, do not like working with colour-pencils or crayons, but are curious about paints and brushes and much quicker to cover a sheet of paper, so this was my tool to get my son interested in sitting down.

Pick an object they love like toy car or a simple drawing of a car from a book.

Teach them to observe by asking what does a car have? Wheels.  What colour is the wheel? Black.  What shape is it? Circle.  There is another shape inside the wheel, what is it? A little circle.  How many wheels can you see? Two.  Are the wheels on the top of the car or on the bottom? On the bottom.  Very good! Let’s  draw two big circles on the bottom of the paper.  And draw a little circle in each.  Make sure you also have a paper and pencil with you and draw slowly as you explain so they can see what they are expected to do.

Another silly tip, is to give your child undivided attention and interest during this time, as I have tried doing this while checking emails resulting in frustrated mom and son!  Remember not to get frustrated if they don't get it right as we do not want to relate painting with punishment or tedious task.

When you start filling up the shapes with colour, use one colour at a time.  Start the lighter colour first, then move on to next colour encouraging your child to fill in all the white spots.  Point to the spots you want them to paint, but don't hold to guide their hand.  Initially your child might get wriggly before completing the project, do encourage them to sit and finish the work providing that it is still within the 30 minutes time frame.   Use the black paint last, with a smaller brush if possible to trace the pencil line, this will liven up any painting.

Try it! You will be so surprised at what a scribble could turn into with some coaching and patience.

Malakai's self portrait

Malakai's dream cake for his next (4th) birthday

"Jonah on a boat" - Jonah inspired painting.

Graphic Design: Japanese Lunch Pack Menu

House of Sam Japanese Lunch Pack Menu new design.

Two weeks ago I got a surprise and pleasant visit from someone who gave me my first job when I decided to migrate to Australia.  I used to work in his Japanese restaurant at St. Kilda beach as a waitress when I looking for a full-time job.  I have worked for and alongside many generous and extremely kind bosses; however, Ito San was like a dad when I was away from home.  I designed a few things for his restaurant back then; but just before I left, I designed menu-flyers for his School-Japanese-Lunch-pack catering service.

Ito San imparting wisdom to Ethan.

After a great time introducing him to my brood and catching up, I have found out that he have sold his restaurant, but continued on with the catering service.  I am surprised to see that his menu-flyers are still the same one I designed for him.   I was delighted that he was still using it, but it is such an outdated design!  I offered my services to update the design to reflect the changes in his business as I stare in disbelief at the 7-years-old design.

Project details:

• Primary School Japanese Lunch Pack Menu, and
• Secondary School Japanese Lunch Pack Menu. In:
• A4 Promo Flyer that also serves as a menu, Single sided, Full colour

When I was a very small boy...

My almost 4 years old son, Malakai, was sitting by the kitchen bench while I was chopping vegetables, he has his his cup of warm milk in his hands and dazing towards his twin brothers playing. 
He then made a statement: “When I was a very small boy, I was also very-very cute, yea…”

Poor thing!  As he is, he is still a small boy. 
When he behaves as expected, he can be the cutest, most adorable little being. 

However nowadays, comments would be made on how adorable and cute Ethan and Niel are, leaving the big brother out.   Worse still, sometimes I would tell him that it is because he is not “being smart”, or being too shy, hiding, sulking, or not answering when asked.   If one of his brothers cries or an item is broken in the house, Malakai would be the first suspect of being the guilty party, and I would interrogate him for confession like a cop.

Over time, I can see how insecure he is of himself and of his ability to deal with situations.  I am definitely guilty of not putting enough effort to praise and encourage my oldest son who is in desperate need of a confident boost. 

I really need to work on my patience and consciously change my speech and attitude towards my kids,  I love them to bits.

Simple Muffin: Same blog, New address

The simple muffin is not so simple after all...!

Finally I got a new address for my blog that incorporated my Muffin nickname. *excited*

For those of you curious,  the nickname muffin was given to me by someone I met online years and years ago when I just started out working as an intern Graphic Designer.
It sounded well, and abbreviated my full name: Marina Arifin.  Hence the name MaFin...becomes Muffin.
So it wasn't about muffin the food, as then, I have never really eaten a great muffin to love it that much or know how to make one.
I am a long way from that now- and I can assure you that I make great muffins and always have stock in hand. :)

Why Simple muffin?  Well, not a lot of choices out there and the first one available out of my list is the Simple Muffin. 

I sketched out a muffin to put on my blog header, something that represents me... a little artsy, a little complicated, and the base of the muffin looks like a big set of teeth that I am well known for. Haha... :*) 
Done.
Not so simple after all!

Three is a crowd...

I really had almost had it when I was just trying to cook and Ethan, one of my twins, would just would not stop clinging to my legs and crying for his dear life for no apparent reason.  I glance over to see my 3 year old, Malakai, happily playing with his blocks by himself.  Niel sitting nearby watching his big brother trying to build a tower of blocks.  Should I or shouldn't I?  I would probably be even more frustrated if I call out to Malakai and he responds with protest.  Oh well, what have got to lose...?

"Malakaiiii....! Can you please please get Ethan? I can not cook if he is here crying!" I yelled out.

To my surprise, Malakai got up, ran to the kitchen and said, "Come on, Ethan, let's play blocks!" as he reach out and took the crying Ethan by the hand.  Ethan did stop crying and ran after his big brother.

I stood there, feeling so touched.   Oh, Malakai, I could have more of you,...maybe ... two more?

The thought, ofcourse, vanished after the boys spent 5 minutes playing together and all three cries in unison.

Graphic Design: The Well

The Well: Drama workshop poster and photocard

The city's Creative Art's team has just created a new division for inspiring young actors in their congregation to develop their talent and grow together.  They call this community as The Well.  Last week, I was contacted by Betty with brief to design a set of promo materials that has a whimsical feel using the visual concept of a well with a tree growing on one side.  I proposed the silhouette effect which allows me to work using vectors, and the team loved the submitted draft.  Both of us are thrilled with the end results.

Malakai's Art Masterpieces

"My Family" by Malakai.
From left to right: Mum (me) with my long hair, Dad is the big one,
Ethan the little one, Malakai himself with big eyes and his favorite blue gum boots, and Niel with the big eyes.

When I first joined playgroup with Malakai at 2 years old, I thought for sure that he was not going to be an artist.  While other little boys and girls can't wait for their turn to don an art smock and use the paintbrush, Malakai would screech at the sensation of the wet gooey paint on his finger tips.  Yes, he was a finger-food eating toddler then, but his food has to be dry to touch, no sauces, no sticky coating whatsoever.  So yes, he was grossed out with the paints, and would never try finger painting.

With pencils, crayons, and markers... he would just do a short little attempt of a dribble and yells out 'I'm done!', and off he goes.

At 3 years old, there was not much improvement in his art department, but  I have introduced him to tracing and dots-to-dots and he absolutely loved it.  So there is hope for training.

When I was a Uni student studying Graphic Design, I met a Mum of a brilliant 5 year old daughter that was excelling in maths, reading, and writting in her class, but has no talent for art- thus is behind in her drawing class. Surely one can't have it all, I thought.   I had no training in kid's development or education whatsoever, but I had ways to connect with little kids and was a Sunday School teacher, so the Mum offered to hire me as a private art tutor to her beautiful little girl. Sure I was overwhelmed at the challenge.  What can I do to make a preschooler sit still and do what she doesn't like for 1.5 hours??  My job was not to turn her into an artist, but simply to train her to enjoy art. On the first day I arrived at their residence I was even more nervous to find that not only the little girl would be in my session, but her neighbour, and the neighbour's little 3 years old brother as well.  Armed with a giant sketch book, a pencil, an eraser, and a big pack of oil pastels, I started my journey.

Six months later, as she entered primary school, her Mum reported that she had made much progress in art.  She was able to see figures and animals as geometric shapes (her strong point)  and use that as a template for her drawing.  She had no trouble drawing elephants and horses in simple form and mixing colours.  My job was done then.

Surely I can give my son the same opportunity.   He doesn't have to love drawing, but introduction to visual art at this stage would benefit him greatly at this stage.  It would help him with his lettering skills when he learns to write, it would help him express himself, and being good at something is always a confidence booster.


This post features his drawings at 3.5 years old including the one above.

Malakai's self portrait.

"My House" by Malakai
On the left is his play tent, then the house with attached garage. 
In the sky there are clouds and a sun.
On the right is a tree on the bend of the road. 
In the front there's our 2 cars and uncle's card. 
The little stick figure is Malakai himself.

Now he enjoys his private drawing sessions with me when his brothers are napping, and as you can see, I am trully proud of him as he has gone a long way from that little short scribble just earlier this year.  Both Malakai and I are so excited that his original artwork gets laminated, framed, and hung.  Kids Art.