Process vs Product

Process vs product. 

My three year old grandson spent the night with us this weekend while his mother celebrated her birthday with her high school girlfriends. I had picked up a set of watercolors for him to try out, but he and Chuck had other ideas. 

We ended up pulling out some craft paints, and they began painting rocks. The grandson had a blast. When it was said and done, he had painted four various sized rocks, and would have continued painting if there had been more time.

He used a combination of paint brushes and Q tips. In fact, I think he basically tried every paintbrush we owned before he was through. 

He began with the primary colors, and continued to request new paint colors all the while mixing them. As you might well image, by the time he was through, the rocks were a lovely shade of gray because eventually if you keep mixing that’s pretty much what you’ll end up with!

Of course, Chuck and I encouraged him along the way not judging the product that was resulting. Ironically, Chuck had spent an equal amount of time carefully crafting an intricate design of his own in typical Chuck style. The two artists’ creations couldn’t have looked more different. 

However, always the student of life, I couldn’t help but be charmed by the work of the youngest artist, painting happily while his tongue stuck out, all the while in deep concentration. 

It made me realize how lucky a little three year old is not to be burdened by the constraints of product. At this age the process overrides any worry of judgement or criticism. 

As the two painted away I enjoyed the moment being along for the ride.