Is there such a thing as bad art?
Actually I think there is, just that I chose not to tell Kyle that his art or any art that he sees is lousy.
Why delude the child?
Simply because a child needs to know that the goal of creating art is the process of discovery, experimentation and fun.
I still believe in this, especially for my photography or the little handmade creations that I make sometimes.
It doesn’t matter that we draw or paint, or take photographs which are not very nice, what matters is the process.
I tell my son K that he can be an artist, every creation that he draws or paint is interesting /special /unique /different /colourful /dark /strange sometimes, but it is still art.
Art involves being curious, observing things, invention, passion and most of all it take courage. Courage to create. I tend to think that creativity is not something that few are born with, rather, it is an aspect of life that some nourish and others ignore.
K’s experience in his new art school HeART Studio, has been such an encouragement that I am going to continue to help him nourish his creativity by continuing his art enrichment lessons.
The process started out with this,
Went on to this, all in one lesson…
Proceeded to this in the second lesson,
Indeed, Art is not about the product but the process, despite believing in this, I am still surprised and very pleased with what K created.
Even his symbolic art attempts are alot more detailed these days.
This one has a color key
While for this, he spent 1 hour drawing and coloring in the patterns and told me that he want to continue this artwork in a separate session.
Previously with his limited exposure to only open-ended approaches that I often do with him at home, I hear this too often, “I don’t know how to draw this, please show me…” I am not trained in art, so I find it a challenge to model the right techniques that he can learn.
Exposure to the right art techniques has given him the confidence to draw more often, challenged him to explore draw varied pictures, improved his observation skills and attention span tremendously. He is able to sit by himself, draw and color his own creations for more than one and a half hours at a time.
With the right techniques taught in art, if Mr. ‘I draw only stickmen’ can do this, there is definitely hope for this mom too!
Woo very nice art work! I’m sure he will only get better and better! =)
Madeline´s last blog post ..Around the World in 18 Days (Blog Train)
Rachel Reply:
August 31st, 2012 at 7:52 am
THanks Made! I think it really does make alot of difference to process of learning when a child gets some technical art skills training.
DinoEgg’s art teacher once told me that kids draw what they see in their mind so there is no right & wrong to the object they draw. Given the correct guidance & enough exposure they will thrive =)
DinoMama´s last blog post ..A wavered decison made but reassured by a timely visit from Dad
Rachel Reply:
August 31st, 2012 at 7:53 am
Totally agree with DinoEgg’s art teacher. Telling them that there is no wrong or right really helps with their confidence at art, and there’s when we really see the creativity grow by leaps and bounds.
Good job, Kyle. I tried calling Heartstudio to go a trial but they said minimum age is 3. Will try again next year
Rachel Reply:
August 31st, 2012 at 7:54 am
Thanks Dee. I do think that Heart Studio will popular be really popular down the road, as the school and the quality of their teachers are really good…worth every penny spent on the art lessons.
I think no, just remember the expert in anything was once a beginner……
Willyn´s last blog post ..5 Reasons Why Genki Sushi is My Favourite Japanese Restaurant in Singapore