Melbournian illustrator Gavin Aung Than takes inspirational quotes and turns them into comic strips. His cartoons, based on uplifting or inspiring quotes from poets to Presidents and comedians to colonels, have been published around the world.
But one cartoon in particular affected us all quite deeply. For this special cartoon, Gavin has taken a quote from film-maker (and notorious rude-dude), Kevin Smith, and turned it into a beautiful tribute to parents who encourage their kids to pursue a career in the arts.
It’s a sweet reminder to parents to be kind to the little artist in your home because you never know just how big that little artist could get…or how many lives they might change…
More of Gavin’s work can be found at Zen Pencils. His first collection of cartoons, “Zen Pencils: Cartoon quotes from inspirational folks” is available now. You can find out where to buy it here.
Top Comments
I have two daughters, aged 6 1/2 and almost 8. Both my girls love drawing. My older one has a real talent and creates beautiful pictures of the world around her. My younger daughter just copies her sister, often with unintentionally hilarious results. In the last month we have had a red wallaby who looked remarkably like Satan and today she presented me with a beautiful rainbow unicorn with a head and neck that looked like a penis. Still, I will take it to work and dutifully put it on my office wall. I love all the cards and pictures I get. A ream of paper costs nothing but presents a world of possibilities (and endless humour!)
Try not to ask 'what is it?' when looking at a kid's piece of art as that question implies you can't tell, therefore their picture is no good. I've found, as a teacher, 'oh wow! tell me all about it!' works every time as the kid can explain everything to you ;)
What is it? or What's this? (if asked in a kind and inquisitive tone) are perfectly acceptable questions when presented with a drawing that isn't clear to you.
If children were asked these questions more often these days then they'd have the sense and self awareness to realise that actually is doesn't mean the drawing is not good, it means that the person wants you to talk about it.
And we all wonder why our kids are turning out frigging incapable these day. Bloody hell, you can't even ask them what their bloody drawing is without a teacher telling you that's actually an insult to your child.
I use this with my daughter and it works a treat! She loves telling me what she's drawn. I encourage her to describe lots of things to me, it's good for their vocabulary!
Nope.
You can certainly ask 'what is it?'
I have simply found that saying 'tell me all about it' is a great way for the 'artist' to explain their work. I really don't think that small difference in semantics is going to make the child 'frigging incapable'.
Why the angry tone?