January 29, 2012

I heart PINTEREST

Computers are now able to perform functions that used to be executed by human hands and voices. But they can’t compare with the endless amount of creativity that the imagination is capable of. The 21st century requires your resume to include phrases such as innovative, inspired, and creative. Out-of-the-box thinkers are no longer weirdos, they are the music makers, and Pinterest is their hot spot.

I am a collector. I love saving colorful, interesting, pretty things: artwork, advertisements, children’s drawings, postcards and such. I have a large box in my studio where my inspiring objects live and wait to inspire something new. When do my treasures get attention? Not often. And I forget about what I have because they are tucked away and out of sight. Like a skipping record or a reoccurring dream, every so often I tell my self I must organize, must organize, must organize my treasures on a board, a super big board that is categorized and neatly put together for my viewing pleasure.

But this has never happened.

Until now.

Through Pinterest I have archived visuals for future artistic inspiration. I have virtual spaces dedicated to lesson plan ideas, art making ideas, home design, humorous quotes and meal recipes; so that when I am on a mission, I have a pimped out launch pad. Below you will see a selection of images from two of my boards on Pinterest.  If you wish to view them, visit the link at the end of this post.

My DIY Art Making Board

My Children's Decor Board

Pinterest defines itself as a virtual pinboard. Virtual means in cyberspace and easily viewed from any computer, iPad or phone with internet service. Basically, it is a free online space where participants can share their style through pictures. Pinterest allows you collect images online or from your computer and paste them to a “board”. A board is a virtual space that is categorized to your liking. Remember that vintage dress you saw on modcloth.com? PIN IT, and you will have pasted it to a virtual space where it will live forever. Then, when your paycheck comes in, you know how to spend it. By pinning, you are copying a found image and pasting it to another space, your board. This does not mean you are stealing, just referencing. For when you click on the image that you have pinned to your board, you are directed to the website from where it originated. For example: Let’s say you are in the process of designing your baby’s room. Via online hunting, you have found a changing table, curtains and bedding that are of interest and will guide your future shopping. All these great finds are online, so, rather than print them out and save them in a folder on your desk that will soon be covered by other clutter only to be lost in your memory, you can PIN the images and save them in a space titled “baby love” for future reference. When you decide to purchase them or just wish to revisit the website, click on the image and you will be directed to the site.

Pinterest has also introduced me to the wonderful world of blogging. I recently was captivated by a PIN I saw of a 12-sided snowflake. By clicking on the image, I was directed to the website where it originated and was introduced to a beautiful, smart and easy-to-follow tutorial about 12-sided snowflakes and collage snowflake fun. This tutorial inspired an art activity for my first grade classes that was a huge success. It is not often I come across a blog that offers projects that are do-able and are written so darn well. Her tutorials are witty, honest and clear. The website is www.michelemademe.com. Take a look. It will make your day.

snowflake tutorial from michelemademe.com

Check out the colorful and fantastic boards of Sun Porch Studio on Pinterest by clicking HERE. Every time I log in, I am welcomed by a rainbow of inspiring images that give me goosebumps. Not only because they are delicious eye candy hand selected by yours truly, but because now I finally have my big boards of inspiration at my fingertips. Whenever. I. Wish.

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November 6, 2011

The Language of Learning: Talking To Your Child About Their Art

For young children, art making is their main means of expression. It is how they are able to share stories and it is how they reflect on their experiences to better understand their world. As a parent and teacher, it is often the adult’s responsibility to foster their interest as an artist and help them to grow as a well-rounded, happy individual.

Let’s explore ways to make art experiences enjoyable and productive.

When engaging in art activities with your child, study how they work and look for strategic placement of lines, shapes and objects. Look for gestural strokes of the brush and how they chose to use tools and materials. Notice their working habits and talk to them about it as they work. This builds their vocabulary and also helps them to be a mindful and reflective artist. If you are up for a big clean up, allow children to explore painting on their own before offering appropriate tool use. They may even teach you a new way to engage with a material. I have songs and phrases that help my students practice skillful tool use. I love to match a phrase or a direction to song or simple tune. I find the students retain much more because they repeat back the tune and the words that go with it. Children are inherent music lovers and respond well to tonal changes in your voice.

When you notice specific colors or shapes in your child’s art, tell them what you see: “I notice straight lines connecting to your circle.” Or “This blue line travels up and across your page and ends in the opposite corner.” Trace your finger over the object you are describing. This will not only give them vocabulary to use but will also let them know that you value their art, which is an important component in building self-esteem. If you are ever unsure as to what their art represents, simply say “Tell me about your drawing”. You should avoid asking “What is that?” Again if you are unsure, notice and ask “I see a lot of green lines in the center of your page. Can you tell me more about that?

If you would like to prompt a new way to create or a new use of color, make a suggestion like: “Wow, you have a large collection of red circles nested close to each other over here. Would you like to add more detail over there?” “You seem to enjoy painting with yellow; how about rinsing and exploring some blue paint?”

I will often lead a discussion about the power of positive thinking with my students where I talk about the plasticity of the brain. I tell them about an article I read in TIME magazine that proves how our brain can be affected by something as inconspicuous as a simple thought. Read the article here. I elaborate on how a negative thought can have an impact on our performance just as a positive thought can be a helpful motivation. I explain that if we say to ourselves “I can’t do it, I can’t do it” over and over, our brain will actually not be able to fulfill the task. We failed because we told our brain to fail. However, positive thoughts, affirmations and motivating words will help us achieve success. Taking small steps that lead to a complex finished piece will help form an enjoyable art experience and empower us to take on new challenges.

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August 22, 2011

Nurturing Creativity at Home

As an artist I get excited over colors and shapes and am inspired by many things that I encounter each day. I can easily say that I am an art teacher at heart because I yearn to share my excitement with others and would rather dream up ways to share it through art experiences that will build creative knowledge, skill, and confidence, than make a personal work of art. Paint the Rainbow is a phrase that my daughter often says out of the blue. It always makes me smile and opens me up to life’s possibilities. It is here that you will find artistic endeavors for you and your children to take part in, engaging art materials, special tips for set-up and clean-up and what happens in between. Learn new recipes for artistic fun that are not cookie cutter or product based but focused on exploration and grounded in sensory based learning.

Exploration is how creative discoveries begin to blossom. Don’t be afraid to get messy. Lay down an old sheet or vinyl tablecloth before setting up shop. This will make for an easy clean-up as well as less stress about material use while playing. In warm weather undress your child for a natural smock. A homemade smock can be made with an old t-shirt or a men’s dress shirt buttoned in the back with the sleeves cut at the elbow. I often find myself concerned with the way my child chooses to manipulate the materials at hand and go through a 3-step filtering process before intervening in the activity. Here is how I see it: When your child asks to take part in something you are not sure of, ask yourself first “Is it safe?” If your answer is Yes then tell yourself that your approval will help your child grow by giving them the opportunity to explore at their own pace and make discoveries on their own terms. This shows them that you respect their ideas and builds self-confidence. If this still does not settle your nerves, ask yourself  “Can it be easily cleaned in the end?” If your answer is Yes, than relax and witness the magic.

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