by Nicole White
Keeping it simple and creative!
Expression and creativity is important for each child to experience.
Parents and homeschooling instructors can help encourage creativity through art expression.
Art need to happen in the physical realm, with children using all of their senses. This needs to happen away from the computer, tablet or phone! Children need the physical and tactile experience of art and craft materials.
Art MUST be a FREE time for children.
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Art MUST be a way for them to express themselves without criticism or comparison.
For instance, if three children are drawing together and you start to think to yourself that one of them draws MUCH better than the others, it’s important to keep those opinions to yourself.
Just because one child may SEEM to draw with more accuracy than the others, doesn’t mean that the other children's creativity isn’t just as strong as the one who appears to be drawing ‘better’.
It’s difficult at first, but it’s extremely important not to compare children's artistic abilities.
Keep the children engaged in art projects, no matter what it looks like! Especially if the child is enjoying themselves.
Let’s look at this by putting side by side 6 artists whose paintings go for millions of dollars, shall we?
Leonardo da Vinci
Vincent Van Gogh
Frida Kahlo
Georgia O’keeffe
Jackson Pollock
Salvador Dali
All of these artists are EXTREMELY different in their approach to art… but who’s the ‘better’ artist?
In my opinion, none of them are ‘better’ they all had a different style, calling and approach.
Could you imagine any of these artists being told they are not good enough? Some of them were, but THANKFULLY, they persisted.
What would our art world be without all of the gifts that Vincent Van Gogh left behind? He only sold ONE painting in his lifetime and today ‘Starry Night’ is worth OVER 100 MILLION DOLLARS!!!
This is from a man who was supported ONLY by his brother! His brother had faith in him, saw the desire and the passion and helped him on his journey as an artist. Thank you, Theo Van Gogh!
Let’s think about little baby Leonardo, baby Vincent, Frida, Georgia, Jackson and baby Salvador! Let’s put them all in a room together and have them MAKE ART!
We know that out of all of these baby artists, that baby da Vinci’s art will look most realistic.
Vincent’s art will be full of texture.
Frida’s will tell a deeply personal story.
Georgia will be like spending time with a friend.
Jackson will make a HUGE mess everywhere!!!
And, Salvador will make us wonder “what the heck is in that brain of his”?
If we put all of these baby artists in a classroom, what do you think the instructor would do?
Do you think they would call out Leonardo as the best artist because his looks most realistic?
Would Jackson be sent to the principal's office for making a mess?
Would Frida be told to ‘cheer up’?
Would Vincent lose his painting privileges for eating paint?
Would Georgia be our good little girl in the corner?
And would we just be so perplexed by Salvador that we want to have a therapy session with his parents?
Instead of judging a child's ability or pushing and hoping for a Georgia when they are clearly a Frida, allow them to express themselves when it comes to their art.
Artists are not born, they are either nurtured into it or they fight for it with all their life. Or, very sadly, they give up because they believe they are not ‘good enough’.
I was encouraged towards art as a child, but only as a ‘hobby’. I was pushed towards getting a career in something ‘real’. This meant something that paid me for my time.
As artist we often work harder than most people realize, especially if our art does not make money.
I always felt that I wasn’t good enough as an artist, but like stripes on a zebra, I couldn't deny the desire to create art!
The desire has kept me creating all of my life, but most of it was done in secrecy and outside of my ‘job’. I felt judged and always felt that my work wasn’t good enough. I get to work on those ‘feelings’ everyday, but will continue to do so, because my art is my love! It is my life and it is my greatest passion!
Art is the greatest therapy ever! I get to be myself, and there is no better feeling than being oneself!
Sometimes we have to look at ourselves, what haven’t we fulfilled in our lives that makes us judge others? If we are fulfilled with our lives, then we can help encourage the dreams in our children, family and friends!
Create what you desire and make art!
Art is a garden, a meal, a photograph, a drawing, a painting, a quilt, a scrapbook, a love note, a doodle or whatever process makes you feel alive!
Your ART is what you are called to do and something that keeps you inspired!
It’s not important what art you create, so much that you CREATE ART!
Nicole White, CHHC, AADP, E-RYT, Author is a certified yoga, meditation, and qigong instructor, certified holistic health coach, art and life coach and facilitator. She has taught art classes since 1997, health and movement classes since 2005. Nicole loves to encourage people to express themselves.
Raven Art Center is located at
301 Washington St. SE, ABQ, NM 87108
505.204.1437
www.ravenartcenter.com/homeschooling/
Keeping it simple and creative!
Expression and creativity is important for each child to experience.
Parents and homeschooling instructors can help encourage creativity through art expression.
Art need to happen in the physical realm, with children using all of their senses. This needs to happen away from the computer, tablet or phone! Children need the physical and tactile experience of art and craft materials.
Art MUST be a FREE time for children.
Art MUST be a way for them to express themselves without criticism or comparison.
For instance, if three children are drawing together and you start to think to yourself that one of them draws MUCH better than the others, it’s important to keep those opinions to yourself.
Just because one child may SEEM to draw with more accuracy than the others, doesn’t mean that the other children's creativity isn’t just as strong as the one who appears to be drawing ‘better’.
It’s difficult at first, but it’s extremely important not to compare children's artistic abilities.
Keep the children engaged in art projects, no matter what it looks like! Especially if the child is enjoying themselves.
Let’s look at this by putting side by side 6 artists whose paintings go for millions of dollars, shall we?
Leonardo da Vinci
Vincent Van Gogh
Frida Kahlo
Georgia O’keeffe
Jackson Pollock
Salvador Dali
All of these artists are EXTREMELY different in their approach to art… but who’s the ‘better’ artist?
In my opinion, none of them are ‘better’ they all had a different style, calling and approach.
Could you imagine any of these artists being told they are not good enough? Some of them were, but THANKFULLY, they persisted.
What would our art world be without all of the gifts that Vincent Van Gogh left behind? He only sold ONE painting in his lifetime and today ‘Starry Night’ is worth OVER 100 MILLION DOLLARS!!!
This is from a man who was supported ONLY by his brother! His brother had faith in him, saw the desire and the passion and helped him on his journey as an artist. Thank you, Theo Van Gogh!
Let’s think about little baby Leonardo, baby Vincent, Frida, Georgia, Jackson and baby Salvador! Let’s put them all in a room together and have them MAKE ART!
We know that out of all of these baby artists, that baby da Vinci’s art will look most realistic.
Vincent’s art will be full of texture.
Frida’s will tell a deeply personal story.
Georgia will be like spending time with a friend.
Jackson will make a HUGE mess everywhere!!!
And, Salvador will make us wonder “what the heck is in that brain of his”?
If we put all of these baby artists in a classroom, what do you think the instructor would do?
Do you think they would call out Leonardo as the best artist because his looks most realistic?
Would Jackson be sent to the principal's office for making a mess?
Would Frida be told to ‘cheer up’?
Would Vincent lose his painting privileges for eating paint?
Would Georgia be our good little girl in the corner?
And would we just be so perplexed by Salvador that we want to have a therapy session with his parents?
Instead of judging a child's ability or pushing and hoping for a Georgia when they are clearly a Frida, allow them to express themselves when it comes to their art.Artists are not born, they are either nurtured into it or they fight for it with all their life. Or, very sadly, they give up because they believe they are not ‘good enough’.
I was encouraged towards art as a child, but only as a ‘hobby’. I was pushed towards getting a career in something ‘real’. This meant something that paid me for my time.
As artist we often work harder than most people realize, especially if our art does not make money.
I always felt that I wasn’t good enough as an artist, but like stripes on a zebra, I couldn't deny the desire to create art!
The desire has kept me creating all of my life, but most of it was done in secrecy and outside of my ‘job’. I felt judged and always felt that my work wasn’t good enough. I get to work on those ‘feelings’ everyday, but will continue to do so, because my art is my love! It is my life and it is my greatest passion!
Art is the greatest therapy ever! I get to be myself, and there is no better feeling than being oneself!
Sometimes we have to look at ourselves, what haven’t we fulfilled in our lives that makes us judge others? If we are fulfilled with our lives, then we can help encourage the dreams in our children, family and friends!
Create what you desire and make art!
Art is a garden, a meal, a photograph, a drawing, a painting, a quilt, a scrapbook, a love note, a doodle or whatever process makes you feel alive!
Your ART is what you are called to do and something that keeps you inspired!
It’s not important what art you create, so much that you CREATE ART!
Nicole White, CHHC, AADP, E-RYT, Author is a certified yoga, meditation, and qigong instructor, certified holistic health coach, art and life coach and facilitator. She has taught art classes since 1997, health and movement classes since 2005. Nicole loves to encourage people to express themselves.
Raven Art Center is located at
301 Washington St. SE, ABQ, NM 87108
505.204.1437
www.ravenartcenter.com/homeschooling/
