My baby boy is turning 10 soon.
I can clearly remember those rose-colored glasses being placed over my eyes the moment Nathanael was born. Seeing his face for the first time was both surreal and familiar to me. I used to watch my son sleep. I would study his facial features, fingers, toes, the way he would breathe…and would thank God for him.
I had fleeting moments of wanting to draw Nathanael, but my mind would quickly shoot it down. I felt that I would fail in drawing his likeness, so I never tried.
Fast forward some years later after making the decision to start drawing again, Nathanael had suddenly asked or me to draw him as a cartoon ninja for his 9th birthday. As scared as I was, I still had said yes.
I can still recall my son’s face when he unwrapped his framed present. He lit up. He turned and showed his friend. Later that evening I saw the framed picture up in his room. Nathanael had put it there all on his own.
Since then, I have found many reasons to draw the multiple dimensions of Nathanael.
I drew his Chibi self.
I drew his Spider-boy-sona ;)
I have even drawn his cartoon gamer self for this year’s birthday!
My son has been great about seeing my creations of him. Sometimes, he will say “WOW mom,” and that will be that. Other times he will take a moment and then provide feedback and direction on what needs to change. Nathanael has quite the Art Director eye. I always take his advice.
There is one drawing that stands out to me, though. I recently drew him a little more realistic for his birthday invites. Studying his facial features, hands, feet, the skinny frame of his 10 year old body and then his freckles…and eyes…
I started to cry.
I finally got to draw him the way I had always wanted to, but I was too scared to do so all those years ago. I look forward to drawing him now, forever. My son. My art muse. My heart and soul…
I love you, Nathanael.
