Alexandra Tyng, Unveilings Moderator

[Thomasin Dewhurst]

Dear Alex

Every time I see new things by you you reveal just how rich a person you are. I hadn't noticed these before - just shows how little I have explored pf the forum - I this they are marvelous drawings! I'd buy the last 2 if they were for sale! Just lovely. All the different details of expression and levels of height of the children in the last picture, and the splendid buildings and landscape that has so much interest and character. And the boy sleeping, with his lovelily drawn hand - just super details, and with the wonderful observation and selection of details that interested you.

It made me realise I am trying to get back to that playfulness of childhood drawings (although I wasn't half as good as you were in the least) in my own work, but there's so much anxiety and self-doubt that goes with it, doing it as an adult, that it is hard to get that joy.

So nice to see these this morning!

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Dear Alex,

It is wonderful to read about you in an "uncensored" way, through your drawings. It is interesting to see how much detail is already apparent in the very early works. I also see that unlike me who just can't break away from a facination with just the faces and particulary the eyes, you have explored people and their environments. This still holds true for your paintings today. The painting that sticks out the most in my mind is that of your children playing music in a fully "decorated" room.

Thank you for sharing this different type of introduction! Although, I always thought you very a pretty cool lady!

Heidi,

I wonder how many of us have held on to childhood drawings. It would be a real hoot to see some of them.

I think that's a great idea!

[Alexandra Tyng]

Thomasin, I hardly know how to respond, but I am deeply grateful for your words. Actually I thought it would be fun to show some childhood drawings because children's un-selfconscious work is so revealing--uncensored, as you say by the adult veneer and polish. I agree it is important not to lose, or at least to return to, the direct expression we had as children.

Enzie, thank you also for saying such nice things. I think all artsts' work must contain those essential distinguishing characteristics from the beginning. Glad you brought up that quote of Heidi's--maybe "childhood portraits" would be a good thread for the Cafe section. Woudn't it be fun to see people's first efforts?

[Ilaria Rosselli Del Turco]

Alex, all of this makes sense with your love for children literature.
Looking back at my childhood I can see exactly the path that led me to paint and I think I couldn't have done anything else except that.
I haven't got any work from my childhood, but I do at least keep many of my children's scribbles, who knows, maybe one day...
Ilaria

[Alexandra Tyng]

Ilaria, it' s sad you don't have any of our own early drawings. I'll bet you were amazing. You seem like the kind of mother (person) who would value her children's drawings. Even if they don't become artists, they will still have fun gong back through them. Neither of mine have shown any interest in being artists (yet) though they are both talented. Whenever we look at their drawings we can see so clearly their personalities and interests emerging in a consistent way.

[Enzie Shahmiri]

Alexandra, gave us all a good idea about sharing early works . Since this is unveiling for moderators, I din't know where to post my childhood stuff, so I uploaded it on my blog

I also like to pass along a little message to those of you who are not part of this forum or are unsure about posting your work.

[Alexandra Tyng]

Enzie, thanks, I enjoyed looking at your blog. There's a lot of interesting stuff on it. I like the way you have compiled the women's self-portraits, men's self-portraits etc. Not a bad idea for an art book, unless it's already been done.