Soft and Crinkly Memories
Throw your mind back to your childhood and rummage around for memories of toys
My little one has just started properly playing with toys (mostly by sticking them in her mouth). I know that a few of these toys are going to create forever-memories, as some of my toys did for me. Looking through my baby pictures, I came across this photo and immediately felt the memory of this elephant overwhelm me - the crinkly ear, the soft felt fur, hard plastic eyes, the shape of its trunk in my little kid hand.
Esther van der Krol has been jogging my memory lately with her wonderful autobiographical drawings “Dingen die ik vroeger had waar ik heel blij van werd” (Things that I used to have that made me very happy). Do you remember this Fisher Price medical set? I remember hitting my cousin’s knee with that yellow hammer and happily listening for my uncle’s heartbeat.
Close your eyes and think back to your youngest memories - are there any toys or objects that stand out?
Prompt: Draw a Toy From Your Childhood
Step 1. Think Back
When did you grow up? The 80’s, 90’s, 00’s? Try to remember your favourite toys, what you got for your birthday or that toy your friend had that you really wanted. What did it look like? What did it feel like? Did it have any cool features? Was it actually kinda creepy, in retrospect? What did you love about it?
Step 2. Draw from Memory, Then Look for References
Try drawing your toy from memory first, then look to see if you can find a reference. If you don’t remember the toymaker, look up the decade when you were a young kid and you might come across it, or get inspired!
Step 3. Draw your toy in action!
Want to get even crazier? Draw your toy doing something, living a life of its own!
Upcoming Events
Draw and reminisce with your friends, this month on Thursday, 20 March at Culture Hub in Rotterdam West!
Haha that medical set feels so universal! I had also a kitchen set which I shared with my brother.