Going Mobile

mo·bile  [moh-buhl, -beel or, especially Brit., -bahyl]

adjective

1. capable of moving or being moved readily.

2. flowing freely, as a liquid.

noun

1.a piece of sculpture having delicately balanced units constructed of rods and sheets of metal or other material suspended in midair by wire or twine so that the individual parts can move independently, as when stirred by a breeze. (Compare stabile) 

2. a vehicle.

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Today at Art at the Center, I had the pleasure of observing a lot of adult/child interaction.  It seems that adults/parents are becoming more and more comfortable with working on their own and with letting their young artists choose what they want to do.  Often, it can be easy and seem somewhat natural, for a parent or adult to choose for a child.  At home, parents might decide when kids eat, what they will eat, when to leave the house, what they will wear, when to go to bed, how to brush teeth, etcetera.  It is important that adults make these decisions, so that children can have a structured environment and daily routines.  Both of these things help children to know what to expect and then have more ability to overcome any obstacles and handle surprises more easily.  There is a difference between the rules that are necessary and which keep kids safe, and the rules that are made out of pure habit or in order to maintain control.  The studio is a great place for parents/adults to practice letting go of some of these rules.

Being available for guidance is always important and reassuring for child.  When this turns into constant monitoring and a battle of wits, however, it can hinder a child's growth and exploration.  Seeing a young artist exercise her right to say "no", and choose to stay with an activity that she was thoroughly enjoying today, was quite refreshing.  Seeing her mother welcome this independence and respect her decision was also very rewarding.  Mom offered her daughter the option to move from working with clay to painting at the table.  The young artist was very happy where she was, however, so her mother went on to make a decision for herself as well, and began painting.  While still checking in with her daughter to inquire about her creations, she was available and aware.  Eventually, the young artist did join her mother and ended up becoming very involved and in love with the painting process.  She was ready.  And it had to be her decision to say "I'm ready.  I'll come paint now", or else it wouldn't have been a truly enjoyable experience for her.  Nor would she have learned as much, perhaps, if she didn't make the decision herself.  Thus, because she was able to choose, she was also able to go to that new activity with an open and eager mind, which allowed her to jump right in and immediately experience a positive interaction with her mother, with others, and as an individual.  The young artist might have even found a new favorite activity.  She was very happy with the immediate results of the painting, even though she had very much been enjoying the slow process of mashing, squeezing, shaping the cool clay. 

It is a wonderful thing that artists can be, and ARE, individuals... in thoughts, feelings, behaviors, creations.  It's amazing that artists and individuals can also still come together and work on things with combined efforts as well.  It's even more awesome that separate artists can influence each other and give ideas/inspiration, just by sitting next to others and creating.  In this way, both personal and social growth can occur, without anyone's toes being stepped on or feelings being hurt.  We, as individual human beings, are each responsible for our thoughts and actions, and we each have the ability to make choices about what we want to do.  This is a norm for most adults, but should be common for children too, as they become more and more capable of making decisions, and then understanding the responsibilities and consequences that come along with them.  Art-making is a great way for children to learn these concepts.  Being in the studio and having options can result in creativity emerging in endless ways.  This is not only a great metaphor, but also a great way for a child to practice, making decisions about those abounding options that will come up in life. 

Thank goodness we do have options in life, as artists and as individual human beings.  We should all have the opportunity to be mobile, while also having balance between some guidance and some freedom regarding that mobility.  What is learned in one area can be transferred to another and result in a pattern of continual learning, growing, creating, and experiencing all around.  Props to the mom of the young artist today, and props to those who can relinquish control and allow more opportunities for their loved ones to choose, experience, develop, and enjoy every step of the way, on their own!