You ARE an Artist!
It’s what Nana reminds us of often: You ARE an Artist!
She says, “All of us are born with talent….an inbred wiring to create. As parents, grandparents and teachers, tapping this talent and helping students reach a rich satisfaction with creation of art is our goal! If you pick up a brush, pen, pastel chalk…or use your finger for glorious finger painting (which is a child’s most favorite way to paint) you become an artist.” More here: What is an Artist?
I was privileged to be the special guest for iHomeschool Network’s Google Hangout and Podcast of Yes, You CAN Teach Art! I am following up and sharing the video below, with a few more expanded resources. See, Nana and I have EVEN MORE to share!
–> Plus, I encourage you to listen to all the great ideas the panel of my friends Cindy West, Alicia Hutchinson, Brenda Priddy and Jimmie Lanley shared and check out the many, wonderful resources posted on the event page.
How do you get over YOUR mess-a-phobia and let your kids do art?
But Chalk Pastels Get Everywhere! – Yes, chalk pastels do get everywhere! It is the nature of the art. Yet there are a few, very simple tips to keep in mind that will ease your fear of messes and ramp up the enjoyment for all. Blessedly messy as we often say.
Lucia Hames, also known as Nana
What about a child that is discouraged when their artwork isn’t just like the teacher’s or big brother’s? How do you encourage a reluctant or discouraged artist?
This is where Nana really comes in! She has so much experience in this area. She has taught me that we are to agree with the child while at the same time encouraging. “You are right. Of course we can’t paint exactly like brother. That’s because God gifted us each individually. What you do is different than your brother, the teacher or a famous artist.
How to Have Instant Success With Art – this is Nana’s story where she shares how she overcame discouragement – as a grown up! “this is the example of how a teaching method almost made me put my pastels up for good and it can be translated into your classroom. I was eager as a child attending my first pastel lesson…”
“Each one of us is God’s special work of art. Through us, He teaches and inspires, delights and encourages, informs and uplifts all those who view our lives…God, the master artist, is most concerned about expressing Himself – His thoughts and His intentions – through what He paints in our character… (He) wants to paint a beautiful portrait of His Son in and through your life… A painting like no other in all of time.” ~ Joni Eareckson Tada
Name and Sign Each Picture – Because you ARE an artist! Some of our favorite titles? Tornado in Space, The Grapey Grape.
Offer Opportunity for Encouragement (and More Helps for Reluctant Artists) – put the supplies within sight, practice with favorite subjects, make art a habit, practice with a new medium, get feedback (enter a contest! display your child’s work!), be inspired with a study of a great artist.
Yes, folks, it is just plain old praise for our efforts. Children are born with artistic gifts, and we are here to coach, praise and teach those efforts into a joy of painting. Your job is to make them believe the motto of our art class: You ARE an artist!
How do you fit art into a homeschool schedule with multiple ages?
How to DO art in 5-10 Minutes – Q: How do you fit in art? How can you do art in 5-10 minutes? When, oh when, is a good time to do art with children of all ages and stages? (These are questions I get often.) A: The answer is super simple. We have found – after much practice in our home – that the best time for us to enjoy art is immediately after lunch. The morning school is out of the way, the lunch dishes cleared. We are ready for a change of pace. Baby wipes at the ready and we can do it together in 5-10 minutes.
Dear friends. You just need to say yes. Just do it. Take a deep breath and fold yourself into the possible messiness. With children there is bound to be a mess. But that mess is beautiful.
Practice will help you feel comfortable with paint and canvas. Or chalk pastels and paper {raising my hand again}. Practice. Practice. Practice. Start small. Pull out the crayons. The paint with water. Bring on the paint another day. And watch the joy spread on their faces. And maybe the paint spills on the table. You don’t have to commit to an afternoon. Just 10 minutes.
How to Fit in All the Extras (a whole series) – There just might be some of us pulling along a big bag of guilt for not getting to certain things in our homeschool. Do you have guilt over not fitting in art? It’s okay. There are so many circumstances keeping us from enjoying the extras. Time for me to pull out a favorite quote: “You can’t change what you have or haven’t done over the past year. Just start where you are, ask the Lord to make you a “joyful mother of children,” pray for grace and wisdom (and strength and patience), and move forward.” ~ Vicki Bentley, HSLDA and Everyday Homemaking
Homemade dot to dot art
How to Start Art with Little Ones – We absolutely love chalk pastels. And we do start them young! But… we do not require much of the youngest ones and make it only fun. Maybe we draw off the basic shape for the littlest ones and let them blend in the beautiful color. Or just offer a few colors for the child to draw whatever he/she would like. Draw something from a favorite book!
Homeschoolers are always looking for ways to save money. Often expensive art supplies are first to be struck from the list. How can art be frugal?
The Very Few Must Have Supplies for Chalk Pastel Art – 1. Paper (can be printer or copier paper) 2. Set of Chalk Pastels (less than $10 at arts and crafts store 3. Tutorials – **Plus you can make a fall tree in just about a minute with Nana’s video tutorial, above!
Be sure to head over to iHomeschool Network to the Yes, You Can Teach Art in Your Homeschool page where you can find all the links to the event page, the video and listen to the Podcast!
And remember, You ARE an Artist!
Download the Columbus Sailed the Ocean Blue art tutorial today!
Download the Homeschooling in Georgia ebook today!
Download the Summer Trees acrylic art tutorial today!
Download the Impressionism with Chalk Pastels: Monet's Bridge art tutorial today!
Download the Baseball and Bat art tutorial today!
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