There are certain tell-tale signs, red flags if you will, for when a child’s psyche has altered from a happy and secure state of being to that of a troubled soul. Happy children paint images of rainbows, unicorns, and daffodils. Children on the brink of disturbance will display artwork depicting frightening images, violence, anger, or sadness. Who of my generation can forget Jeremy and his “pools of maroon below”?
I was listening to that song the other day and it caused me to reflect upon my own daughter’s artwork. Her home easel is a resource for constant creativity. Countless drawings on scraps of paper are sent home with her lunch box. They are all scribbled with pleasant images of our family; Mommy, Daddy, Dominic, and Sofia are all smiling and holding hands. The sun is shining above us as we stand together amongst blades of tall green grass. Sometimes there will be puppies, bunnies, or the occasional turtle.
I smile and praise her as I outwardly glow. I am watching my daughter develop as she should; happy, imaginative, and colorful.
Yesterday Sofia brought this home:
“Wow, Sofia…who is that?”
“That’s me.”
“Where’s your hair?”
“I didn’t want any hair. I wanted to show that I have a lot of teeth.”
“There certainly are a lot of teeth there…why are you blue?”
“I don’t know.”
Apparently done with the conversation she shrugged, turned, and scurried off to play.
I am not going to lie; I’m a little disturbed. I am disturbed and at the same time immensely entertained. Ah, the complexity of dueling emotions.
No, it is not a picture of violence, or really of anything distressing. Beyond the fact that this is a self portrait I do not believe there is cause for concern. But that face…
I keep staring at it, trying to figure out how she came up with the image. It reminds me of something from movies or fiction, but I just can’t bring it to the forefront of my brain.
I know I am not quite there, but I keep flashing on two images:
The Sand People are easily startled.
Koona t'chuta Solo?
My best interpretation: she has morphed herself into a cross between one of the Sand People and Greedo the Rodian bounty hunter. The more I look at it, the more I am certain.
OK, maybe that’s a stretch.
Still, it does remind me of something, or someone, and it is driving me crazy. I can tell you right now this is going to be one of those instances where I wake in the middle of the night two weeks from now with a great epiphany, screaming a triumphant, “AH, HA!!!!” into the darkness.
For now, maybe you can spare me the brain exercise and help me out…does her imagery remind YOU of anyone?
(Star Wars Photo credit? Bah. Let’s just call them borrowed by the benevolence of Google)
