Barb Nitz, left, grandmother to ImaGine Rodenbeek, 3, both of Lawrence, play at Petite Picassos on Monday at the Lawrence Community Building. The class, which runs each holiday season, helps little ones create gifts.

With his right hand, 1-year-old Amadeus Kaos drummed his wet paintbrush on the table. With his left, he pushed the green paint around the canvas, the goo rising to his elbow.

“He’s having a lot of fun,” mother Maggie Beedles said, her voice rising over the sound of the banging paintbrush. “He’s not afraid of the paint.”

Such is the creative process for little ones celebrating their earliest holiday seasons.

Amadeus honed his art skills Monday as a student in “Petite Picassos,” a Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department art class offered each holiday season.

The budding artists – all sitting on the laps of mothers or caregivers – were creating artwork to give away as gifts for the holidays.

Barack Bennett-Robinson, 1, sat on his mother’s lap as he smeared red and green paint together. He stuck out a paint-covered palm in greeting.

A future Picasso?

“You never know,” his mother, Diane Bennett-Robinson, said.

The pint-sized artists made finger paintings and collages of colored tissue paper. The paint often flowed off the canvas onto the furniture and clothing.

“It’s about the process at this age,” art instructor Amanda Whitaker said. “It’s about the discovery of the materials and how you use them.”

Parents brought cameras to capture the special moments.

“We’re trying to talk about the spirit of giving this year,” Beedles said. “Santa to us is the spirit of giving. So, we’re going to be Santa and give gifts.”