How young is too young to be a textile artist?

Both my co-workers went down to the Toledo School of the Arts for summer camp a few weeks ago.  Between making music, dancing, creative writing....there was a textile arts class....and I have to say I'm very impressed with Zach's accomplishments.  He's 10....just turned 10 in May and look what he made:

Day one he brought home a felt pin that he had sewn his name on...in case you can't read it...his name is Zach...LOL.

This is his painted t-shirt.  You may recall the trepidation I had while taking a ink class at Asilomar (Empty Spools) in March.  Zach whipped this up in a day....no kidding.  He wore this while reading on stage one of his creative writing pieces.  I was floored.  I could learn a thing or two from my kid ay?

Zach was very excited about making his pillow.  He wouldn't tell me what it was going to look like, just that he had sewn the entire thing by himself.

He never said a word that it was painted....another WOW for this proud Momma.  I'm thinking the teacher didn't know a blind stitch because this is how he closed the pillow.  No big deal....a few more years....his work will look like an experts...the painting already is in my book.

 Tree stump in foreground....before.

On another creative note....I was visiting with a friend at her lake house in Indiana on Sunday and we were discussing the huge tree that fell last year.  The tree was enormous and we had seen a man carving bears out of trees and mentioned to the neighbor that he may consider having someone carve into his tree instead of taking it down.  Check out what he did....all by himself mind you...with no prior experience:

It looks pretty good doesn't it?  Then Robin says....go around and look at the other side.

Creativity abounds....all it takes is a little encouragement and a few supplies.

What am I waiting for?  I better get my creative derriere in motion here God knows I have enough supplies and ideas.

Smiles,

Kelly