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?

Gift of Art

I've seen this many times, our artists make their artwork as gifts. Mostly for their classmate, friends, and parents. I am always touched by their beautiful mind.
A girl made her a clay-work as a surprise gift to her aunt. Since it took time to dry, fire, glazing and go into the kiln again, she had to hide it every time before her aunt came to pick her up.

Take myself as an example, when I was preparing a gift to someone, I usually couldn't help imagining how happy a person would be when she get it. I wondered how she felt while making this zebra to her aunt. It reveals her patience and attentive energy. It is very treasurable that she made a plan to surprise her aunt. From this, I also learned how powerful a child's thoughtfulness and appreciation can be.

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.

Child's Autonomy to Solve A Problem

Though we provided 4 different kinds of art materials, it was my first time to see this group gather in the same table without any directives. I was happy to see the group dynamic has became cohesive. 

Here are some experiments they made with aluminum wires.

This girl wanted to make a mobile, so she started to make the hanger and the board with regards.

Yes, we noticed that there were not enough space for "day" in the board.

So she made another board with paper and tapes, then she hung them together with  her wonderful mobile artwork!

This boy hold the end of the beads carefully, preventing those beads from falling down.

He wanted to stabilize these beads.

Then he used tapes to wrap the wire, making it thicker so the beads wouldn't move anymore!

Above are examples I observed during the art making process. There are many excellent ideas of problem-solving happening here. Sometimes they did ask for help, but mostly they have their own creative ideas. I really encourage adults to wait patiently, giving our children a chance to try their way first. In that, we can also learn from our artists!

How Does A Plan Help in Making Art?

Each of our artists has their own sketch book, and we encourage them to make a plan of their goals in art on the day. I would like to show three examples during the same session.

A girl drew what she planed to paint on her sketch book.

After exploring all other materials for this day, she picked up a paint brush, starting to paint this flower without her "blueprint."

Another girl also made a plan on the sketch book. She put it on the floor in order to check whenever needed. 

In the end of the session, the girl who carried the plan with her surprised me. She shared with us that her plan was not applied in her artwork, so she painted it into another artwork. Though it was not successful, she still read her plan, a diamond poem, to us. This was my first time to know a diamond poem and I was so excited to see how it would be transformed into painting! It is interesting that they had different strategies in planning. The previous example shows that making plan can be just a way to organize our thoughts out. However, the second example shows that, sometimes a plan may not be fulfilled but it leaves a record for us to try again for the next time! 

Painting With the Color Mixed by Yourself!

One of the interesting activity in art at the center is mixing color! Through several practice, they learn to generalize from the experience of mixing color. Children thus are able to develop their preference for color and know the esthetic quality of color.  

Always surprised by their fantastic name. 

If you want to paint a person, you need to mix a skin color.

Sometimes the color is the origin of inspiration! What does the color remind you? Does it make you think of anything?

Take a look at those colors on the wall, you will be amazed by their creativity.

The Importance of Listening

"Respect for children's opinions is expressed through listening and interviewing in a way that encourage them to express their own thoughts and associations about both process and product."--- Judith Rubin (2005)

We encourage children to share their artwork and have been amazed by the wonderful stories in their art. By speaking out their ideas, they learn to organize their ideas and share in public. It is not only beneficial to identify their self consciousness but also to build up empathy to others' opinions.

Children at times feel comfortable to talk about their thoughts while making art. Before that happens naturally, we can just be an observer until children finish their artwork.

Through hearing interesting ideas, artists become curious. Sometimes being further inspired by peer's art.

If we feel getting attention and respects when we are sharing, we will pay our attentions in return. It is a learning process of respecting others.

In this studio, I am glad to see how they explain their ideas, not for please others or draw our attention, but for explore themselves to form their unique artistic styles.

mixing paint 

Look! I made a smiling face!

Imagine how many great stories wait for us to learn from children's artwork!

References:

Rubin, J.A. (2005). Child art therapy—25^th anniversary edition. Hoboken, New Jersey:  John Wiley & Sons, Inc.