Sure, it’s great to cultivate the budding artist in your family. But don't bet the farm on it.

Remember all that stuff in your closet, Ethan? Like those skis that you used for a grand total of 20 minutes before you got “frostbite”? Or that guitar you wanted more than anything in the world, until the next day when you saw that new Electric Company and decided that beatboxing was way cooler? Need we even mention the fishing pole? Sitting in a canoe with your grandpa was one heck of a time to suddenly discover your commitment to animal rights.

So while your father and I support your new interest in art, we’re not diving in until we’re sure the water’s deep enough. If you’re truly passionate about it – at least, passionate enough to keep at it for more than an hour – this Art101 225-Piece set will introduce you to watercolors, oil pastels, colored pencils, and other media. These supplies, including a wooden case and mini-easel, may not be quite up to professional-grade. But at this price, at least we can afford to indulge your latest kick.

If you decide you want to pursue it, then we can talk about shelling out for the truly premium stuff. And if you don’t, well, we’ve avoided another rock-climbing fiasco. Speaking of which, you need to get those pitons out of the basement. The meter reader almost impaled herself the other day.

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