Category Archives: art for creative kids

Process Art … Naturally!

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MaryAnn Kohl inspires artful adventures for kids

“Kids need space to create,” is the simple guidance that award-winning
author of art activity books MaryAnn Kohl offers to parents who are getting
involved in their children’s arty play. Given freedom to explore and make
choices, children are more likely to use their own ideas in creating art. You
see, too often times, adults (parents and some teachers) project a sense of
what a finished piece of art should look like, which denies children the
opportunity to explore and create from their own imaginations, and to learn
from that exploration and discovering.

Why is process art so important? Kids learn as they explore art materials and the creative process of taking ideas from within and bringing them into existence. Art allows for trial and error from which authentic learning can take place. Art is open-ended and fosters individual expression and originality. When kids have the freedom to go through the process of creating art, they are happy and they are learning.

Process art is natural. You need only provide children with age-appropriate art supplies and blank paper, and the stage is set for arty adventuring. You may want to store art materials in shoe boxes or on conveniently situated shelving. “If you’re doing that,” Kohl says, “you’re way ahead in the goal of inspiring learning through play.”

MaryAnn Kohl of Washington State grew up in an artsy family. Her mom was a painter. Her dad was a book printer and was lead singer in a band. Her grandmother was published and her grandfather had a chain of bookstores. Kohl became an elementary teacher and incorporated her love of art into such subjects as math and science. After her first child was born, MaryAnn quit teaching and took up writing, which was always a lifelong passion. By 1985, MaryAnn started Bright Ring Publishing, which is still going strong today. She has written such best-selling favorites as Great American Artists for Kids, Mudworks, Preschool Art, the Big Messy Art Book, MathArts, and the Preschool Art series. She has downloadable e-books and free activities on her website. MaryAnn also writes for Gryphon House, Inc., and she is currently working on a new historical fiction novel.

Respected as an art educator of international repute, MaryAnn Kohl has consulted with such companies as Jim Henson, Blues Clues, as well as major magazines.

Years ago, MaryAnn connected with Abrakadoodle at a NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) convention. She has presented at Abrakadoodle’s annual national conference at the Crayola Factory. This year, she is presenting a process art workshop at Abrakadoodle’s first-ever global virtual conference this May. “We share a common belief in the importance of active discovery learning through art,” MaryAnn remarked. “I am delighted to reach out to Abrakadoodle’s directors and teachers with an affirming professional development experience.”“Art values and respects the individual uniqueness of a child,” MaryAnn said. “If you help kids manage materials and promote exploration,” MaryAnn commented, “you are creating a roadmap of your child’s experiences.” When smushing red into blue, your child discovers he produced purple. Kids love to see what will happen during the creative process. Mary Ann says that kids often ask her, “But what are we supposed to make?” She responds, “There is no right way; no wrong way; just your way.” She says their eyes sparkle when they hear these words.MaryAnn explains that the first time a young child experiments with a new art material, don’t expect a product. By the third experience with that art material, children refine their process and may strive to create a finished piece of art.

Try it! Below are a couple of outdoors activities MaryAnn suggests for your kids to get into the natural “process” of art:

Arty plastic pool play

If you have a small plastic pool, line the bottom with blank white paper. Squeeze blobs of paint on the paper. Select round objects (fruit works great), and gently tip the pool so that the objects roll through the paint leaving prints
on the paper. Perhaps your child might like to add a hand or footprint. At the end, wash the fruit well, and enjoy a healthy snack!

Cloudy day impressions

Find a comfortable place for your child to lay down with a view of the cloudy sky. What shapes does your child see? Encourage free thinking. Next, set out some blue construction paper, and a pot of white paint with a paint brush. Invite your child to paint. It might be a very literal impression of what he/she viewed, but it might also be a whimsical interpretation. Remember to keep the experience open-ended. You child is in control of his/her art and will delight in the natural creative process!

Want to learn more about MaryAnn Kohl? Visit www.brightring.com.

 

 

 

Animals in Art: Kids Love Them

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The Cave of Altamira in Spain is famous for its Paleolithic cave paintings.

Kids love animals, and so it only stands to reason that they also appreciate viewing and creating their own animals in art. Throughout history, artists have always created drawings, paintings and sculptures of animals. Cave art reveals ancient paintings that date back tens of thousands of years in which animals are portrayed. Ancient Egyptian artists often depicted gods with the heads of animals. Tribal art generally features a combination of animal and human characteristics that seem to symbolize man’s bond with his natural environment. Mythical beasts of the Middle Ages decorated medieval manuscripts with creatures that sometimes took on secret symbolic associations. Art of the 17th Century featured hunting scenes with dramatic life and death struggles, while 18th Century artists celebrated the natural beauty and majesty of animals in their natural habitats. Victorian artists of the 19th Century painted sentimental pieces of their domestic pets and livestock, while artists in the 20th Century explored a wide range of animal genres and invented some, as well. As we get underway with the 21st Century, we see wonderfully diverse animal artisans.

"Northern Monarch" by Solberg is a great example of his breathtaking watercolor originals.

Abrakadoodle features a number of talented contemporary and classic artists who inspire students with their animal creations. Mort Solberg is a wildlife painter and an Abrakadoodle Artist of Distinction. Children love to create art in his style that  incorporates the use of a large paint brush to create art that combines realism with abstract images. Mort brings his love of nature and the outdoors into his award-winning art, and he wants to foster that appreciation in children.

"Zara the Zebra" by Sophie Harding.

Contemporary artist Sophie Harding enchants kids everywhere with her adorable animal creations fashioned in a Naïve Art style that feature simple shapes and vivid colors. Born in England, Sophie received a diploma in General Art and Design, followed by a bachelor’s degree in Fashion and Textiles at Central St. Martins. Her training has motivated her to use many different types of artistic media in her work. In addition to Naïve Art and fine art prints, Sophie is a successful illustrator of children’s books and magazines, greeting cards, gift wrap, calendars, tableware and textile designs.

Robin Anne Cooper created canvas collage originals featuring Abrakadoodle’s arty dog Splat.

Upon discovering the unique works of Robin Anne Cooper of South Carolina just a couple of years ago, Abrakadoodle commissioned her work for holiday gifts. Robin created 52 unique canvas collages featuring Abrakadoodle’s arty dog mascot Splat. Robin uses a unique style of canvas collage in which she paints, cuts up and then produces a new piece featuring such whimsical subjects as cats and dogs. Robin Anne Cooper believes in creating original, affordable art. “Kids so often associate art with well known artists of the past like Picasso and Rembrandt,” commented Abrakadoodle’s co-founder and CEO Mary Rogers, adding, “Abrakadoodle features these classic artists, as well as some of today’s working artists like Robin Anne Cooper, who create amazing artwork that inspires kids to be creative and to see how real people incorporate art into their lives and their work.”

Three Creative, Hands-On, Low Tech Activities for Kids

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As a parent, I’ve observed the powerful hold that tech toys, video games and cell phones have on children. I’m a big believer in balance, and so I have developed a list of low tech ideas that will engage your child in fun, inspired play. These types of activities give your children the power of imagination, which is wonderfully rewarding!

1. Create arty fruits and veggies~ who says eating healthy has to be boring? Your child can make edible art, offering creative fun that is also tasty! Consider making a butterfly.

Edible art is creative, fun and a healthy treat!

Provide slices of apple in a bowl; gather some baby carrots (look for long and thin pieces) provide some blackberries or another favorite berry, and finally, cut up a bowl of thinly sliced, short celery sticks. You might wish to offer some embellishments, such as dried cherries (shown) that can decorate the apple wings. Arrange the edible insect using the photo as a guide.

 

2. Sculpt a pinch pot~ this is an activity for all ages, and it’s easy to make! In fact, this is a great activity for your children because it helps to develop fine motor skills and muscles in the hand. All you need is some air-drying clay, such as Model Magic. A pinch pot is

Colorful pinch pots are easy to make and offer lots of clever uses!

small, and so you do not need a large amount of clay. Your child can choose to make a little pot in any color, and when it’s done, your child will enjoy adding artful design to his/her creation. Get started by rolling a palm-full of clay into a ball. Once the ball is nicely shaped, cradle the clay ball into your palm and press your thumb into the center. Note that some modeling clay will require more effort to shape. Once the initial dent in the center is made, then you gently squeeze thumb along with index and middle fingers, working the inside and outside as you expand the center. As you press and smooth in a circle, you will soon see the small pot as it takes shape. Make sure the wall of the pot is not too thin. Finally, you can simply draw a pencil design on the interior and/or exterior, or you can paint it in any color you like!

 

Creative storyboard by Nicole, age 12

3. Sketch a storyboard ~ Kids love to use their imaginations, and they all have stories to tell. A storyboard is a way to outline ideas using mostly images. Whether your child imagines a new video game concept, a children’s picture book with favorite items or simply wants to tell a story using mostly images, this is an activity that promotes visual literacy, creativity and self-expression. Your child can use a large art pad and experiment with image-mapping. Alternately, your child may enjoy using plain note cards to shape pictures into an expressive piece. Provide your child with pencils, colored pencils, crayons and/or thin markers. Give your child lots of space to spread out and work. Start with conversation. “Tell me about your idea. How do you think you want to create your main image?” For a younger child, you may wish to suggest shapes that will help him/her get underway.

Pointillism: Making Art with Dots

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A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, by Georges Seurat, 1884

Pointillism is such an intriguing painting technique, which was developed by Georges Seurat and Paul Signac in the 1880s and featured dots of pure color applied in patterns to form an image. Would you believe that art critics of that time period derided this art and coined the name Pointillism to mock it? Now, this art technique is widely celebrated and Abrakadoodle students love to learn how to create art in this distinctive way.

As opposed to mixing paints from a palette, Pointillism assembles paint spots in bright hues of color such as green, orange and purple. Kids like looking at paintings created in this style because when you look at the painting up close, it looks like a series of
dots. When you look at the painting from a distance, you can see a picture. Also, colors change as you move further away from the painting. Up close, dots in blue and yellow may appear to be green when you move further away. The eye plays a trick on us called “optical mixing.” Kids find this type of painting magical.

Few artists practice the technique of Pointillism today because it is very labor intensive. Seurat’s “A Sunday in the Park” took him about two years to finish and contains over
three-million dots!

Children can have a blast creating their own artwork with colorful dots!

Encourage your child to make a point of trying Pointillism at home:

  1. Assemble some art materials – paper, pencils, watercolor, small paint brushes, markers or crayons
  2. Your child might have an idea in his or her hear or can choose inspiration from a favorite pet, flower or object or even a shape. Younger children may want to trace the outline of an object.
  3. Start by making an outline of your desired image and notice its shape
  4. Explore and experiment with dots of color – to show off the light, use white dots mixed with bright colors, and for shadows, use darker color dots mixed with bright colors
  5. Patterns will help to create interest, but remember there is no right or wrong way to make art – enjoy the process … that’s the point: to encourage a lifetime of fun with art!

 

Fauvism: It’s all about the color

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Woman with a Hat by Henri Matisse

We are all drawn to color but none more so than the Fauvists of the early 1900′s, who created art that focused more on powerful colors than on the subjects of their artworks. In French, fauves translates to “wild beasts.” Many believe that fauvism grew out of the impressionism movement. The fauvists used wild brush strokes, intense colors and abstraction. Henri Matisse is a favorite artist featured in Abrakadoodle’s art program for children. His work, “Women with a Hat” (right) is said to have given rise to the Fauvism movement. Matisse simply loved art and over his life he experimented with many styles, ending his career with wonderful paper cutouts, which students in Abrakadoodle art classes love to explore. Our students create original, Matisse-inspired artworks from their own imaginations.

Colorful landscape by Andre Derain

Andre Derain was another French artist, who was a leading painter with the Fauves. Derain became friends with Matisse. He once said, “The colors were even dynamite cartridges to us.” His artwork featured bright, flat colors with spontaneous brush strokes. He often painted landscapes.

Encourage your child to create a piece of art that is very colorful. You might add to the creative adventure by saying, “If you could make your tan colored dog or cat a color, what color or colors would you choose?” Let your child’s little inner color beast out for some arty fun!

Buy Local – Inspire Global

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South Carolina artist Robin Anne Cooper created 52 unique canvas collages featuring Abrakadoodle’s mascot Splat!

Canvas collage? Abrakadoodle is always on the lookout for fresh new ideas to bring into its international creative children’s art program. When Abrakadoodle staff member Kathy Armstrong and Abrakadoodle-Illinois franchise owner Lisa Hoffmann discovered the imaginative art by South Carolina artist Robin Anne Cooper, they brought it to the attention of Mary Rogers, Abrakadoodle’s CEO. In short order, Mary commissioned original artworks by Robin.

“Kids so often associate art with well known artists of the past like Picasso and Rembrandt,” remarked Mary Rogers, adding, “Abrakadoodle features these classic artists, as well as some of today’s working artists like Robin Anne Cooper, who create amazing artwork that inspires kids to be creative and see how real people incorporate art into their lives and their work.”

Robin has been working as a professional artist for eight years, having recreated herself following a downsizing in the IT industry. She began experimenting with collage materials and discovered that canvas satisfied her need for art material that was thick, stiff and gave her control over the color. Robin uses a unique style of canvas collage, which she paints, cuts into pieces, and then she arranges the pieces to make unique artworks that typically feature such whimsical designs as animals and children.

Robin Anne Cooper’s artwork will be featured in Abrakadoodle’s springtime Kids on Canvas instructional art series for children. Robin notes, “I think it’s great for kids to learn about art, different techniques and make choices about design that reflect their own sensibilities. I was really happy when Abrakadoodle called. They stand behind artists and creativity.”

“I am delighted to help support Robin and thereby her local economy, while buying customized art made in the U.S. I also feel it is so important for kids to learn about artists who are actually working today, creating fresh wonderful art and are in fact making a living doing so,” said Rogers.

A FUN Way to Expand Your Child’s World Vision

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Kids love to learn new ways to create art, inspired by cultural traditions, artists and art forms from the far reaches of the planet we share! That alone might serve as rationale for signing up for an arts program that brings the world into your child’s grasp. You can expand your child’s world vision in a FUN way, while providing tangible benefits!

Haida Mask

#1 – Multicultural art education contributes to an understanding of the social and cultural landscape that all individuals inhabit. Children learn about world cultures in the most fun way – hands on – as they discover artists and explore art forms and styles from countries near and far. They discover an historical perspective through art with such lessons as creating Haida Masks. Art connects children no matter what race, culture, education or socio-economic status.

Story Teller Dolls

#2 – By developing a sense of self through artistic creations, students take a step toward understanding and accepting differences in others.

#3 – Multicultural arts inspire children’s imaginations. The unique nature of art representative of world cultures is stimulating to children. When they are taking part in classes that encourage them to take new concepts and use their own imaginations to apply them, they engage in self-expression, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Children learn how to take ideas and innovate!

#4 – Confidence and self-esteem soars! Providing children with access to the arts enriches their lives by empowering them with a healthy means for communicating feelings and ideas; broadening how they see the world, as well as developing new skills, vocabulary and history unique to the visual arts. Multicultural art builds confidence in kids!

#5 – Said simply, multicultural art is fun!

Portugese Tile

In Abrakadoodle’s multicultural programs, students discover such world renowned artists as Fernando Botero of Colombia, Xu Bin of China, Esther Mahlangu of South Africa and Frida Kahlo of Mexico, to name just several.

Beyond the traditional art forms of painting, drawing, sculpture and collage, children in Abrakadoodle classes also explore such multicultural art forms as Polish paper-cutting, Portugese tiles, traditional Native American dolls, Malaysian kite crafting, Japanese kimonos, fabric art from Nigeria and many more. These imaginative, artful experiences can give your child an inspiring and delightful world view!

Creativity Abounds as Reflected in Children’s Postcard Art

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Abrakadoodle art education continues collecting children’s art from around the world as part of its Kids’ Imagination Project – a global creativity campaign. This year’s theme is “Imagine.” The postcard art shown is from (above, left – art by Manuel, age 10 of Lisbon, Portugal entitled, “Let’s Change the World!” (below, right – art by Jaeden, age 9 of Grand Rapids, Michigan USA entitled, “Jump Over Tree.” (bottom, left – art by Aidan, age 3.5 of Los Angeles, CA.

The visual arts give children a wonderful way to express themselves! At Abrakadoodle, we believe that it is so important for children to know that there is no wrong or right way to create art. Open-mindedness, tolerance and an appreciation for a wide range of artistic styles are just a few of the benefits from participation in a quality art program.

 Any child can participate in Abrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project! To learn more about KIP or to download a postcard, go to http://www.abrakadoodle.com/kip.htm

Follow us on to hear about new blog posts featuring children’s creative postcard art!

 View our photo albums on Abrakadoodle’s Facebook fan page.

 For more information regarding children and creativity, visit Abrakadoodle’s website.

Art for Kids

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Stress-Busting Gets Creative

Art education can help children cope with worries. Children under stress tend to bottle up their feelings, creating emotional and physical effects. With negative news dominating our newspapers and airwaves – from a struggling economy and war to issues closer to home with worried parents, less disposable income and school stress — children need to find healthy ways to manage. Art is one of the best ways you can help your children develop skills to express themselves and liberate their feelings to help maintain healthy emotional well-being.

The key in reducing or eliminating unhealthful stress is to provide children with the tools and attention to deal with stress and by giving them a healthy outlet that sets them up with coping skills for life.

Artful calming

Art for kids should be all about originality and creativity. You can create a space at home that promotes imaginative play:

* Set up a creativity center that your children can access, which contains lots of paper, crayons, markers, nontoxic paints and brushes, modeling compounds (like Crayola Model Magic®) and more;
* You can spiff up your creativity center by encouraging your children to add recycled materials from around the house (paper towel and toilet paper tubes; bows, ribbon, bottle caps, postcards, printer paper and more;
* Identify a place where your children can create art, such as your kitchen or a coffee table. Set up the rules, such as working on plastic or newspaper;
Instead of plopping down in front of the TV or a video game, encourage your children to grab their creativity tools and make something new;
* Create meaningful patterns, such as sitting with your children before they start their art, and teach them a relaxation technique. Tell them to shut their eyes, take a deep breath while they count to five and then slowly exhale while counting to five. Play with the idea, such as “in through the nose and out through the mouth” and “in through the mouth and out through the nose;”
* Never ever judge your children’s artwork. You want to empower them to use art to express their ideas, thoughts and feelings.

Above all, children need to know that they are loved and supported. Give hugs and model grace, calm and problem-solving. Sometimes children need just 15 minutes of your undivided attention. They need to turn off the TV and sources of distraction and learn to turn within to tap their own imaginations where a world of creative adventure awaits.

Art classes are another wonderful way to promote stress-busting, while fostering imaginative learning and developing new visual arts skills, technique and vocabulary. Learn more about Abrakadoodle remarkable art classes, in-school field trips, workshops, camps and parties: http://www.abrakadoodle.com/programs.htm.

Art for Creative Kids

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Edible Art & Food Styling
Art for kids doesn’t need to involve crayons and paper. Helping children connect to their own sense of style can be loads of fun in so many daily activities that we may take for granted. We all appreciate an artfully presented dinner plate. Meal time can offer your child an opportunity for creative expression. You can engage your child in creating the menu and presentation of your next family meal. Perhaps you are planning to have chicken as a main course. You could ask your child what side dishes would add color, flavor and good health. How might this rainbow of colorful vegetables, fruits and grains be served on your plate to add visual appeal? It would be very helpful to keep clean fruits and veggies in easily accessible containers, which you can pull out and offer as choices for setting a plate of scrumptious looking and tasting food. Maybe your child imagines a scoop of rice with fish and salsa stacked over top and garnished with green beans in a circular pattern. By encouraging your child to tap his or her imagination at meal time, you are fostering wonderful family connections, healthful habits, as well as encouraging your child’s inner artist.

Decorating baked goods is another fun way for kids to express their creativity. Children delight in adorning cookies, cakes and baked treats. Once you roll out the dough, your child can decide on fun shapes, glazes, sprinkles and colors that reflect his/her own sense of style and whimsy. Brownies, biscuits and breads can be cut into fun shapes. You could also bake cupcakes and set out a variety of icings and toppings (edible flowers are great fun) that your child can use to decorate them. A treat wrapped in cellophane and tied off with a ribbon can make wonderfully personalized gifts for coaches, teachers, family members or friends. Best of all, children cherish the opportunity to show off their imaginative creations.