The Day I Forgot the Paint…and Accidentally Created a Masterpiece

Writer: Emily Hammerstad, June 23, 2025 – 5 min read

It was a Thursday.

You know, that kind of Thursday. The one where your diet coke goes flat before you can sip it, your kids ask you deep philosophical questions as you’re already late, and your dog trips you at least 3 times before you've even fully opened your eyes.

I was prepping for our weekly homeschool art class, and everything was going great until… it wasn’t. We were planning a special mixed media lesson using acrylic paint, ink, and pastel. A beautiful combo. We’d practiced it the week before and the kids were genuinely excited.

So imagine my horror when I opened the supply drawer and realized:No. Paint.

Not just missing a color or two. I had completely forgotten to restock after the last session. The shelves were as dry as my sense of humor when I run on four hours of sleep.

Panic and Pivot

Now I’d love to tell you I handled this like a calm and collected professional.

I did not.

I froze. I looked around the room, wide-eyed. I think I said something like, “Okay everyone! Who’s ready for a surprise?” while internally screaming.

What happened next is kind of magical though.

I took a deep breath and grabbed what we did have: Pastels, watercolor pencils, and some coffee filters.

We pivoted into a spontaneous "splotch creatures" lesson—using wet watercolor paper, soft pastel powder, and old makeup brushes to blend and create strange creatures, complete with googly eyes and wild names like “King Jiggly-Toes” and “Sir Barkalot.”

The kids loved it. The moms who stayed to help told me they couldn't wait to do it again at home.

And I just stared at them like, Seriously? This weird mistake is what you want more of?

But yes. Yes, they did.

Mistakes lead to Magic

Since then, I’ve actually added the “Splotch Creatures” lesson into our regular rotation. What started as a mistake became a fan favorite. And honestly? That happens more often than we think.

Need proof? Let me introduce you to some legendary mess-ups:

🌟 The Slinky – Back in the 1940s, a Navy engineer named Richard James was trying to develop springs to support ship instruments from rocking. One fell and started walking—yes, walking—down the stairs. The Slinky was born.

🎨 Post-it Notes – A chemist at 3M was trying to invent a super strong adhesive. Instead, he accidentally made a low-tack glue that didn’t stick well. Years later, a colleague used it to anchor a bookmark in his church hymnal. Now? Offices, homes, and classrooms everywhere use Post-its daily.

🔫 The Water Gun – NASA engineer Lonnie Johnson was working on a heat pump. A prototype sprung a leak and shot a stream of water across the room. He thought, “Wait a minute…” and the Super Soaker was born.

Imagine the summer without one of those? I can’t.

Reframing the Flops

Here’s the thing: mistakes feel huge in the moment. They feel loud and embarrassing and like the end of the world.

But when you give yourself a second to pause, pivot, and play? That’s when the real creativity kicks in. That’s when your brain—your beautiful, problem-solving, slightly scatterbrained brain—starts cooking up something new.

And if you're someone raising creative kids, this is a message I want you to tattoo on your soul: Mistakes are the beginning of brilliance.

Whether your kiddo draws all over their math homework, forgets a key piece of their science fair project, or spills glitter in your car (okay, I am still cleaning that one up)… they’re not failing. They’re learning to improvise. They’re practicing flexibility. They’re creating new paths in their brain that will one day help them solve big, real-world problems.

What I Learned from the Great Paint Shortage of ‘24

Next time I forget the paint, I’ll try to remember:

• We’re all going to mess up. It’s not if, it’s when.

• Mistakes are detours. And detours can be beautiful.

• Art doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from curiosity.

So yes, I still double check the paint drawer now. But I also keep those pastel splotch creatures around to remind me: Even a total flop can turn into a masterpiece.

💌 Want more real stories, messy art, and reminders that you're doing better than you think? Join my Monday Mailer and let’s keep embracing the chaos together.

#messymagic #creativekids #growthmindset #mistakeswelcome #artforkids #usandart #parentingtruths #splotchcreatures