Monthly Archives: April 2012

Abrakadoodle Student Discovers the Many Rewards of Participation

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Fourth grader Allen Dixon shows off his Kandinsky Doodle after class in March 2012

Allen Dixon first enrolled in Abrakadoodle after school art classes in Kindergarten. Five years later, Allen is now a bright, talented fourth grade student celebrating 90 after school classes for which he has unfailingly participated. Abrakadoodle Art Education is sponsored by the PTA of Worthington Elementary School in Ellicott City, Maryland.

“We initially chose Abrakadoodle for Allen because he loves art and drawing and it seemed like a perfect combination to further his skills,” commented Yolanda Sonnier & Sean Dixon, Allen’s parents. “Allen loves art, and so it was without question that he wanted to continue in Abrakadoodle,” Yolanda & Sean remarked. “In addition to Allen’s love for art, the instructors were warm, engaging and the atmosphere encouraged a young artist. Allen also loved the end of class, when each child shared their artwork and their vision.”

The Dixon’s sunroom is filled with Allen’s one-of-a-kind art creations.

Allen’s art has a growing presence in his family home, with a wall dedicated to his creations in the family’s sunroom. His mom wanted Allen to know that his art is cherished. In addition to developing his skills in the visual arts, Allen’s parents say he has learned that “he has options.” His parents have appreciated how Allen has tapped his creative side, which has been further evidenced through such projects as writing and illustrating his own book (currently working on self publishing it).

“Allen is very talented,” remarked Lisa Marianelli, Program Director, Abrakadoodle of Central Maryland ~ Winner of Best After School Program by Maryland Family 2011 Readers’ Choice. “We have loved his bright, enthusiastic presence in our after school art program, and we were delighted to present his family with a loyalty discount for Allen’s ongoing participation.”

“As parents we are proud of Allen and his participation in Abrakadoodle,” said Yolanda & Sean. “Allen has honed his art skills through his participation in Abrakadoodle, which has boosted his confidence. The information about the different artists, types of art and the era of each artist taught in Abrakadoodle is amazing and information we didn’t learn ourselves until Art Appreciation classes in collage. Abrakadoodle has furthered Allen’s confidence and art knowledge beyond our expectations.”

 

Flying High with Art

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Original art by Troy, age 9 of Grand Rapids, Michigan

Want your child’s creativity to soar? Art can transport your child to new heights of creative innovation. Rev up your child’s imagination by tapping into your child’s interests and dreams. Equipped with safe, abundant art supplies, your child can take the pilot’s seat in revealing his or her goals, dreams and passions.

Abrakadoodle’s Kids’ Imagination Project brought thousands of pieces of original children’s art creations to us from around the world. What a joy to see children’s creativity take flight!

Jets in flight by Vared, age 10 of Detroit, Michigan

Give your child wings by encouraging individual expression through art!

Speaking of celebrating interests and creativity, join Abrakadoodle on Pinterest!

How Does Your Child See Spring?

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Watercolor by Alexis, age 7 of Virginia for the Kids' Imagination Project

Help your child’s creativity bloom by encouraging original self-expression. Go out into nature with your child and take in all the changes that are taking place ~ the flowers in bloom, the pollinating bees, the bright green leaves and grasses and the fruit ripening on citrus trees.

Suggest that your child take a mental picture, and then provide your child with an array of creative materials to depict a spring scene.

Original art by Carolina, age 5 of Portugal

Honor your child’s individual view, and it’s always a great idea to ask open-ended questions that reveal your child’s creative vision and ideas. Like flowers in your garden, your child’s art will bud and grow with your nurturing attention.

Art Nouveau: A Swirling Style with Lasting Impact

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Abrakadoodle's version of Klimt's "Tree of Life"

Abrakadoodle art students love to creat art in the style of 19th century artist Gustav Klimt of Vienna, Austria. He was the founder of the Art Nouveau movement in Austria, which came to be called the Vienna Secession. His art featured lots of patterns, and he loved to paint pictures of trees, flowers and nature using swirls, curvy lines and lovely colors. Shown right is an Abrakadoodle version of Klimt’s “Tree of Life” artwork.

Art Nouveau came into popularity in the late 1800′s and early 1900′s and was distinguished by dynamic, flowing lines and the use of often intricate patterns. Art Nouveau used new materials, machine surfaces and abstraction. The Art Nouveau style is said to be a forerunner of such innovative 20th century movements as expressionism, cubism, surrealism and art deco.

Making arty letters is a fun activity for kids!

Try making an Art Nouveau design at home! All you need is some sturdy art paper, a pencil, crayons, markers or paints. A simple yet fun idea is to start with your child’s first initial of his or her name. For young children, you can use a stencil or trace the letter. Older children will enjoy creating their own — perhaps a big bubble letter or a swirling script style letter. From there, your child can add swirls, curved lines or patterns to give the letter a special design. The possibilities are endless for adding favorite flowers or animals or polka dots in whatever colors your child chooses. They may even like to add some embellishments, such as glitter or pom-poms that you have on hand. Let your child’s imagination flow!

Abrakadoodle welcomes veterans to its franchise team

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April & Isaac bring a love of art, children and education to their new Abrakadoodle location in Oklahoma City

Three years ago while serving in Iraq, April Rose read a cover story about the Abrakadoodle art education franchise in Black Enterprise magazine that fueled her desire to pursue an artful future following her deployment. Hunkered down in a bunker amid rocket fire, she and her future husband imagined their new lives as arty entrepreneurs. According to April, she and Isaac talked about their plans for establshing their Abrakadoodle franchise every night. They are now launching their dream with award-winning Abrakadoodle and will be engaging children with creativity-boosting art classes, camps, parties and face-painting through its mobile art programs.

“We are so excited about how our program is going to transform children’s lives in a positive way through the magic of creating art,” said April Rose Jackson, Education Director of Abrakadoodle-Oklahoma City. “We had to work togehter a lot, which gives us an advantage as we launch our Abrakadoodle enterprise,” Isaac noted of their Middle East deployment in U.S. Army logistics.

“The Jackson’s have been the picture of patience these past few years,” commented Rosemarie Hartnett, CFE, President & Co-Founder of Abrakadoodle, Inc. “We feel extremely fortunate to welcome these two enthusiastic, dedicated individuals to our Abrakadoodle franchise team. As industrious veterans who have served our country well, Isaac and April Rose bring not only an amazing work ethic but also a passion for art and education. This will be a great asset as they build their program at schools and sites throughout Oklahoma City.”

April and Isaac met in 2009 while serving in Iraq, and then married in a suprise destination wedding Isaac planned in the Cayman Islands in January 2010. With a degree in graphic design from Jackson State, April also brings a passion for scrapbooking (she has her own blog: The Purple Scrapbook) and comes from a long line of creative family members. Additionally, April’s mother was a grade school teacher for over 15 years before her death in 2000. Isaac has a degree in finance and plans to complement April’s skills by handling the accounting, product inventory and financial aspects of the business. Isaac’s mom is a school teacher in the Oklahoma Public School system, affording both he and April a special knowledge of the education industry. They both refer to the military as “family” and feel well-equipped to work within Abrakadoodle’s franchise family.