The Power of Concentration

In the last Art in the Afternoon class, I reflect on the progress happening through the whole spring class and found they became more and more focused on art. In that, they found their own way to make art and thus built their distinguishing features.

Children know how to handle different kinds of art materials and express their ideas through that.

In the beginning, we help them to write down the notes. Now they are eagerly to write their artistic statement by themselves.

They are more and more familiar to group. They feel safe and comfortable to make art in terms of a parallel way as well as collaborative way.

When they are attentive in art, they create a great progress in art and are ready to facing the incoming challenges. It has been so wonderful to see their growth, and the great possibilities art brings to them. I look forward to seeing their future exhibition!

Making Prints

Seeing such a well-setting place for making art, I wish I was a kid at this moment. 

Children can choose to use various materials to print on the paper, or paint on glass then cover a paper on it.They used the skill they've learned from painting, such as washing paint brush between colors and using a towel to absorb excess water. What makes printing amazing was that kids will be able to watch paints on a transparent glass first, and then change the images on the paper. We won't know what the changes will be, it depends on the amount of paints they put.

If the paints are kept wet and the amount of them is just right or more, the paints will interact with each other when they are rubbed under the paper. 

Magic!

Making art is fun and full of surprise, isn't it?

The Most Amazing Stories In The World

When I was watching children making art, I thought they were exploring or practicing with different art materials, yet I was always amazed by what they saw in their art. That makes me so excited to hear their stories every time!

using hand-made papers they made last week

collage with water color

These are not just "abstract" art pieces.

"A dragon with mud and sticks around it."

" Two balls bumped into each other." and I wondered  what would happen next!

"Spots in the sky"

“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” 

― Pablo Picasso 

Though I can no longer make art like a child, I am glad I witness the wonderful process.These stories are indeed priceless treasure, the most amazing stories in the world.

Children Never Stop Growing

 After a two weeks break, we were very excited to see these artist again. They came here making art and progress to a higher level! Here I want to share something wonderful I observed from Wednesday class, Art in the Afternoon:

I saw a girl drawing squiggle lines for the first time.

I saw a boy working deliberately on threading his artwork.

I haven't thought of making the whiskers for a dog in this way!

What a creative face they made on a blank circle.

Several tryouts in clay-work:

After two weeks, they are more mature and ready to learn more in making art. I look forward to seeing what surprising sparkles they brought into the group, how they affect each other's art, and grow together!

Listen to Children's Stories

We had a great winter session. I really enjoyed the exhibition of these fantastic artwork with abundant stories.

Little artists were guiding us to look into her art piece.

These stripes represent Wisconsin, Wyoming, Virginia and Puerto Rico, and the small paper pieces are rocket ships traveling around!

When we are willing to listen to them, they learn how to listen to others patiently. It builds the basis of good communication. Not to mention that how can we miss these wonderful ideas in their art?!

"This is a map of the planets- the sun in the middle." made by a 5 year-old girl.

They are interested in others' artwork as well.

"Daddy's ship" ;)

I felt so inspired by these artists and know that they are the greatest gifts from heaven. As an adult, we are responsible of teaching these kids right and wrong, but I feel like I am the one who have learned so much from them. Their existence tells us how beautiful life is when they are in the world.

Guess Who Made This?

This time we put the glazed clay-work for them to draw on the paper, and I saw something interesting!

A boy started to trace his clay-work.

and he put efforts on drawing the background

Just like the way he made his self-portrait few weeks ago.

The girl also did that and colored the form and put more design that she didn't do on her clay-work.

And, if you saw an artwork full of purple...

The clay-work on the right

1 month ago she painted all in purple

It will probably be hers! Like there are her names on them.

Although our subject was drawing the clay-work, she drew them in a colorful way, which is interesting to see.

Just like the way she painted on the wall. 

And below is another example that she drew her clay-work similar to what she drew her self-protrait. 

It would be interesting if we were not here with them and be asked who made which artwork, we would still be able to give the correct answer! Because these creative artists have their own unique style to make art!

Co-Create!

A big paper allow children to share the same space. Let's see what happen!

Cars and roads appear on the boys' paper.

They designed diverse cars.

They both drew stop signs

This pair created the their own subject

 then interacted with each other.

Started from two children,

This paper is finished by multi-artist!

But sometimes children need more personal spaces...

But all situations above are good for a child to share, join, interact or build their own boundaries. It is also an opportunity to know and practice different kinds of social skill naturally!