Monday, June 28, 2010

growth chart

A client came to me seeking a hand-painted growth chart for his children. One request that he had was that it be a vine inspired by Jack and the beanstock fable and soar to 6 feet in height.
I had my carpenter cut a sturdy panel of birch wood and I primed and painted directly on the board after I had gathered images and a final drawing to work from.
There are always crows around beanstalks, right.
I had a lot of fun painting these twisitng parts of the vine to give the impression that it was spiraling upwards. Funny children have a way of doing that too, they grow like weeds over the summer. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!
Babies come into the world, grounded, napping, crawling and then climbing to new heights.
Along the outside edge, the initials of each child will be recorded and this work of art shall serve as a reminder of just how quickly children grow. Do you have a growth chart or do you have a record on the wall like me?

40 comments:

Marnie said...

that is fun - so many people miss the pencil marks on the wall when they move - this way they have the record for a long time - wonderful

Unknown said...

We do, and it includes grandchildren and pets. Alas, it is not as beautiful and creative as your beanstalk is. It is the back of one of the front closet doors...I do smile when I open it, though. All of our progeny recorded there!

pve design said...

Marnie-
My parents kept the scratches on the door where our dog "Snoopy" made his mark, my Dad says, money cannot buy that.
Records on or off the wall have a way of showing us how fast life is. This summer, we are in slow down mode.
pve

pve design said...

Roseanna,
Oh, I would love to see that closet door!
I bet I would smile too at all your progeny and prodigies.
pve

Debra said...

What a nice reminder of how our little ones grow. I'm sure it will be a cherished memory for this family.

Acanthus and Acorn said...

I love it! There is nothing quite as special as something created specifically for a child's first room.

P.Gaye Tapp at Little Augury said...

this is tremendous! perfect, could you copy onto paper and print to offer readers? it is fairytale worthy. pgt

René said...

I am happy to finally see this growth chart. What a lovely way to track a child's growth. They grow too quickly...

elena nuez said...

what a beautiful idea!
thanks from spain

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Lucky client!! It is just wonderful...my Dad charts Isabella and Max's growth on the inside of a doorway at his house. So much fun to have him mark off their new height and compare to the last measurement! Last time they'd each grown over an inch...crazy! Janell

Kwana said...

With my kids about to be seniors I wish I had a growth chart over the years.

pve design said...

Kwana,
If you have the measurements from your pediatrician, I would love to paint them for you on a chart, maybe one that you could write words on for each growth spurt.
pve

Unknown said...

How cool is that? I'm afraid I'm one of those relaxes moms who never marks their height. But, I take a lot of pictures!

Michelle said...

Yes, in an old house, probably covered up by paint and wallpaper, my kids stretched into the world. My oldest son is 22 years old and 6'8"...he hits his head on the hook left over from his jolly jumper at Nanas...so funny.

Great post :)

Best,
Michelle

A Perfect Gray said...

an absolutely beautiful piece, Patricia. it will be treasured for years to come...

Dovecote Decor said...

What a great Dad. We've moved so many times I have snipets of them here and there. The problem is: who gets the family wall chart at the end of the day.

alison giese Interiors said...

Love it! I never had growth chart for Avery, and really regret it - I'll definitely get one for Isla.

Deidra said...

THAT is SO cool! I love everything about it!

Formerly known as Frau said...

Gorgeous! I never did that but I wish I did! Have a wonderful week.

Mrs. Blandings said...

Completely charming and so much foresight. Like you, I mark on a doorway and fret, fret, fret about the though of moving and leaving it behind.

Mariska Meijers said...

Now that is a stylish creative solution. No more doorposts to be marked!

Anonymous said...

How whimsical and beautiful! Love the narrative part!

xo
Jaithan + Eddie

24 Corners said...

Outstanding Patricia! It's absolutely charming and you captured the fairytale vibe perfectly!!!

xxoo J~

JMW said...

That is such a beautiful idea - how creative! We just use the inside of our pantry door. Now that we're moving to a new house, we'll have to start over!

Joyce said...

Patricia, a perfect keepsake and beautiful reminder of how fast littles ones grown. Your talent is amazing. I'm glad I stopped by today. I like the story of Jack an d the stalk. OH boy have I had visits from the red cardinals! xo

Easy and Elegant Life said...

What a great design! Just beautiful.

Maria Killam said...

wow that is absolutely amazing! What a wonderful and creative way to mark how fast kids grow!

Sandra said...

What a great idea! Our growth chart is a door in my home! I have always said I'll take it with me if I ever move. xoxo

Unknown said...

A magical tree to chart the growth of these lucky children brought to life by Ms. PVE.
Best wishes,
BarbaraG

Summer is a Verb said...

Beautiful! Btw, posted your one illustration of me in the Lilly dress on their facebook page and it is all the rage. You are a superstar Patricia! And, I am one lucky ducky...XXOO

Alyssa said...

How awesome is that?! You're SO talented!! Love it!

Mona Thompson Providence Ltd. said...

So creative. I just love this. We have a new baby in the family. My niece needs to check this out.

Southern Lady said...

We recorded on a wall...and then we moved! I wish we had recorded on a chart as beautiful as that one. Carla

Karena said...

Patricia, this is just wonderful!! I love how you also graduated the color palette with the growth!!

Karena
Art by Karena

Starr said...

What a great idea & what an beautiful interpretation.

M.A said...

Fantastic work!
It really shows people how fast life goes and that we must enjoy every moment of it.
-Mel

Lisa Holtzman said...

This is fantastic, what a great job you did!!

Heather van Breda said...

What a cute idea-- and lovely execution!

Hill Country House Girl said...

I am a little late to the party, but had to share this story with you. The home of a dear friend of mine was recently torn down. My friend grew up in the house and we played there as children. Her family bought the house from the original owners and lived in it for the last 50 years. One member of that original family, now in his 60s, called my friend and asked if he could have a board out of a closet upstairs before the house was demolished. When he retrieved the board, it was the "growth chart" from his childhood in the house. After so many years he was able to save that one board that had such a special history. I love that.

Hello Lover... said...

This is adorable - what a fun way to incorporate this without it being cheesy.