The winner of The Artist’s Way book and Morning Pages journal is Tina ~
(Tina, I do not have any contact information for you, so please respond this week!)
Here is what Tina wrote:
“The book would go to both my daughters and myself, and the journal would be for my elder daughter. We have been working on the creative aspects of our lives and have that as a goal for this year. My hope is that by encouraging their creativity, it will also encourage their confidence in themselves, as well as their compassion.”
Thank you Tina, (also, for your kind words) and I hope that these books will push you and your daughters steadily toward your goals and further developing your creative selves. I think you are right about creativity encouraging their confidence and I am thrilled to maybe help with a tiny part of that. I hope you enjoy your times shared in art.
Being one of the “artsy” children in school, was my ticket to acceptance. In 5th grade the children would gather around my desk and watch me draw skeletons on skateboards and in sixth grade (and beyond, for sure) they gathered around to laugh as I drew our teachers with emphasis and gusto. We all felt like we were part of something special as that “secret” drawing was passed around beneath the instructor’s (possibly overly large or pointy) nose. From acceptance grew confidence, which led to further practice of drawing.
I have the honor to have two little boys who both love art more than any other activity. They role their eyes when I occasionally ask if they want to watch a movie or cartoon (Bugs Bunny is an exception) and head to the studio to dig in our Might Come In Handy Box and begin creating and drawing.
I also have the honor to be one of three Art Discovery mamas in my son’s 1st grade class. Last year I was the solo Art Discovery mama in his Kindergarten class and it was a true joy to sit with twenty little bodies around me and watch their excitement and absorption as we discussed a variety of artists, projects, media and techniques ~ right before I set them free with materials.
This year, it thrills me even more as the children are older and throw themselves head first into their projects. Some will sit for 35-45 minutes painting intently.
Last month we painted Native American masks made from cereal boxes ~ to say the least… it was Am-A-zing. One little girl drew the attention of others and they were clearly inspired by her as she happily worked for an extended period of time, carefully adding additional detail to her mask.
Needless to say, while watching her I was instantly transported back to the days of skeletons on skateboards (and other things my classmates begged me to draw, which I will not elaborate on, out of embarrassment!).
Education.com says one value of art for children is that it allows them to:
“Experiencing success. Because art leaves the end open to the creator, all children experience a measure of success.”
Another value according to Education.com, art allows children to:
“Express their feelings and emotions in a safe way. They learn to control their emotions and recognize that they can express and handle negative as well as joyous feelings through positive action.”
I thank you all for contributing your thoughts and inspirations ~ and I wish you luck and confidence as you move forward in your artistic endeavors in 2011 ~ practice, practice, practice ~ especially if you love it.
Have a great week, I will have more books to give away as we travel through this year.
Related Images:
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See image gallery at www.paintingmotherhood.com]
