Last night was my final ArtEscape program at my local library. I love the above photo! That table was hard at work but laughing and sharing their discoveries. All the kids do this. There is a easy joy in their artmaking.
Last night I read When Pigasso Met Mootise which was a huge hit. As the kids were coming into the room, I was showing them Picasso's and Matisse's artwork and there was a lot of talk about lines and shapes: organic and geometric.
Oh! We had fun. Laying on the crayons, thick and fast. The wetting papers and laying on Spectra Art Tissue (see video below) and letting the colors bleed (ha! the boys LOVE that word).
Parents are always interested in what we are doing and happy to see their kids having such a blast. I do try to teach them an art concept along the way but my mission is to give them first-hand experience of how much joy there in making marks and colors everywhere.
I wish we could have ArtEscape for adults. Well. I guess I can! Sounds like a Meetup to me.
PS: I gave my two teenaged volunteers to join in the fun :) Don't tell
In case you didn't catch the Bleeding Art Tissue vid a couple of weeks ago
What lovely smiling faces! You've let these kids have a wonderful experience Diana.
So many kids don't get the opportunity to just play . . . to explore, experiment and then do it all over again. It seesm you have to learn, learn, learn in a structured way but play IS learning . . . I love it when the concept is slipped in with the exploration . . .and I'm learning that all over again.
Art Escape, Summer of 2015 . . . I'll BE there!
Posted by: Wendy @ the Late Start Studio | 08/01/2014 at 03:45 PM
Oh my, that would be a treat, Wendy! I’ve been doing this program for so many years. We read a book, brainstorm and then get to some serious play. It’s so much fun and incredibly rewarding.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 08/01/2014 at 05:57 PM
Fabulous! What fun~ I'd be interested in a summer 2015 art escape myself. Simple explorations of art with maybe even a short story involved... I hope we are putting a bee in your bonnet. I'd not be able to do it in person but maybe online? OR it could even be a winter art escape? We all need color and lightness during the darkest and coldest parts of winter.
Posted by: Laura Lea | 08/02/2014 at 08:07 PM
I’m hoping to do a live art journaling class on Spreecast in the late fall or winter, Laura Lea. So keep an eye out!
Posted by: Diana Trout | 08/03/2014 at 08:13 PM