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Writer's pictureAllan Shedlin

The Art and Joy of Playtime with Dad

Guest Post by Jasmine-Simone Morgan

Mom and artist

"Dad and Kite," original art by Jasmine-Simone Morgan, May 2024

EDITOR'S NOTE: Today's guest blog is literally brought to you by our friend, poet, and regular Daddying contributor E. Ethelbert Miller, who recently shared his daughter Jasmine's art with us. Not only is this the first guest post to include the writer's original artwork (our blog editor did so during the height of the pandemic lockdown), but also the first time we've published a post written by a daughter and father in the same family. It is a pleasure to see Jasmine's dad's influence shine through the beauty and purpose of her work. Daddy on...



When I started my art practice, I did not start it with the intention of depicting father figures.


At first, I created sporadically – a weekend here and there or a few times a year, resulting in a hodgepodge of artistic creations: abstract doodles, photographs of walks in nature and charcoal sketches. Then, I evolved to creating acrylic paintings, weekly, in the margins of my life as a mother of two and lawyer.


Slowly, my art evolved into paintings reflecting narratives of joy, leisure, normal daily life, and play featuring black sons and fathers. I think of this body of work as a counter to the narrative of black men in crisis, oppressed, distant, or surviving trauma. Where is the black boy’s innocence preserved? Where is the black man having fun?


"Chess Dad," original art by Jasmine-Simone Morgan, July 2024

Looking at my artwork, I’m reminded of memories of my father on Saturday mornings playing with my brother and me – tossing a football in the field near the rear entrance of the National Zoo or spinning us in dizzying circles on the merry-go-round in Kalorama Park. Now when I visit these parks, they feel small and different, the “football field” merely a few patches of grass and the playground merry-go-round replaced with what I assume is its safer plastic version. But the memories remain and bring a smile to my face.


How many of us think of our fathers at play – laughing behind swing sets or engaging in a bout of tag?


Decades after Saturday mornings at the park with my father, I would have my own children, including a son. Now I have memories of my husband playing with our children. Like the father and son flying a kite in this painting, I think of my son and husband flying kites on the National Mall while squealing and giggling with delight as they focus to keep their kites soaring in the sky.


I hope this painting inspires fathers (and mothers) to create joyful memories through playtime with dad.



 
Jasmine-Simone with her dad and kids

Jasmine-Simone Morgan is a lawyer and artist in Washington, D.C., where she lives with her husband, son, and daughter. As a lawyer, Jasmine represents non-profit organizations, public housing authorities, and developers in the construction and preservation of multifamily, affordable housing, and community economic development. As an artist, Jasmine creates acrylic paintings that focus on themes of childhood, family, and community. Jasmine received her Bachelor of Science in Journalism, magna cum laude, from Boston University and received her Juris Doctor from The George Washington University Law School. You can connect with Jasmine and her art on Instagram: @jasminesimonem. 

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Tamar Lawrence-Samuel
Tamar Lawrence-Samuel
Jul 19
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

So grateful for the little window into your mind and the ideas that drive your art! 🙏🏽

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