Layering and Learning through Light

Experimenting with color in different ways can allow an artist to gain new perspectives, both when viewing others' creations and when making a piece on one's own.  Using projectors, these young artists were able to layer different shapes to see how resulting hues looked more or less vivid.

This artist chose to carefully outline the designs and patterns that he saw.  He viewed the projected images as a whole and wanted to emphasize certain features of a face.  Completing the drawing and then taking away the colored shapes, the artist realized even more objects and scenes were hidden in his drawing.

Similar to the layers of plastic discs and molds that were portrayed brightly onto the wall, so too were layers of imagery showing up on the paper itself.  Seeing how these layers existed even after the light was turned off enabled the children to learn the different ways that an artwork can be produced and the different ways it can be subsequently viewed, in various lights or environments.  

Continuing to arrange different patterns, the artists designed their drawing and followed through with their plan to depict what was shown.  Others included some ideas of their own to create a story, adding specific animals or characters that to came mind in with the shapes and colors that were being offered visually, right in front of their eyes.  Incorporating both the concrete and the abstract in this way, the young artists' brains start to function more complexly.  Building layers of color and imagery in real life leads to building layers of thought and emotion within one's inner being.  

This then facilitates problem-solving and deeper understanding, as one learns to more easily sort through those layers.  Learning through light in this way also promotes a meaningful experience with others, encouraging both independent work and social interaction.  These young artists are continuing to show us how they are progressing in all of these areas of positive growth and development.  

Gifted and Giving

 

Often, artists come into the studio with a visual idea about what they want to make.  Others come in with a certain topic or person on their mind.  Making for the self can be a very different approach than making for others.  Sometimes the hardest critic can be the self, though wanting to impress or please someone else with a piece of art can also bring great pressure.  Creating from the heart will result in the most pleasing work, whether it is for the artist him or herself, or for a beloved someone.

With the holidays coming up, many people want to produce gifts for their family members and friends.  Utilizing the studio, and the wide variety of materials available there, is a great way for children and adults to use their imagination to construct something meaningful.  Putting forth effort to find colorful papers, soft fabrics, attractive flower petals, and shiny buttons, this artist comes up with an idea and sets out to achieve a goal.  Designing her piece ahead of time, making modifications during the creative process, and determining any additional elements that are needed at the end takes determination and skill.

The artist organizes a plan and takes time to carefully piece it all together, allowing her mental image to take on a specific form.  Envisioning her idea unfolding, working at it patiently, and keeping final intentions in mind are all for her to unify her talents.  Here, she has obtained the materials that she needs and is gluing them down, according to the layers that she wants to show or be covered.

Giving not only the actual artwork, but endless ideas and inspiration to others, is an enduring expression of love.  Creating as an artist should be a fun, enjoyable process.  Sharing those authentic gifts with others is rewarding in itself, and can lead to an ongoing bond of artful accomplishment.

Purpose Promotes Progress

When artists enter the studio, they can choose to improvise and see what happens or they can pick a specific idea and go with it.  Sometimes, in the best of situations, an artist can go back and forth between a set idea and improvising, while teasing out what does and doesn't work.

This young artist was able to do just that when she came in to create last week.  She knew she wanted to create an animal out of clay, but did not know exactly what type of animal.  After forming the soft material into balls and observing the shape of a turtle unfold, she grasped the idea and set out to work more intentionally.

With more effort then came more progress, and a specific plan developed.  Using this creative framework and remaining focused, the artist made sure to build a solid structure and then used her fingers and clay tools to add detail, giving her turtle a personality.

This week, the artist returned with inspiration and continued mapping out her intentions.  By choosing pastels in preferred colors and then applying swatches of that color to paper, she was able to see a visual sample of how her clay creation might come together.  

Once she was sure of the color combination and where each corresponding color would go, the artist took the next step to paint glaze onto her fired piece.  She began to see that her plan was working out well, but then also had an idea that the turtle should be coming out of the water.

Changing her mind at this point seemed to be a challenge, but the artist decided that she would add blue glaze to the turtle shell in order to depict this important detail.  She had expressed her desire to keep her creations in line with each other, which all have water as a key element, and didn't want to stray from this idea.

Having a purpose for the artworks, to match each other and form a set, has resulted in the artist making more progress.  The artist is eager to see how her glazed pieces come out next week.  She can then determine at that time whether she will continue to make more matching pieces, or start a new plan to begin working on something else.

Growing into Knowing

The studio provides endless opportunities for children to grow creatively.  Having the ability to start with a clear, organized space encourages fresh ideas to come to mind.  Children and adults can feel free to explore and experiment as they approach new materials, incorporating these into techniques that they have already mastered and with which they feel comfortable.

This young artist just recently became aware of her love for paint.  She now shows a continued interest in the medium, and is discovering new ways to experience it.

Exploring first with brushes, then with her hands, she gets an idea of the many different ways that it can be applied. Her curiosity enables her to approach not only the shiny pools of color lying before her on the table, but also the world waiting before her.

The desire to actively engage in a new activity can be a bit intimidating.  However, the artist here has courage to jump right in and see how it feels.  Bit by bit, she can then determine exactly what she thinks about that experience and where she wants to go next.

Trying various tools, she develops further knowledge about the marks that each one makes.  She is looking for more and more ways to be purposeful in her work, while also having fun- this is the key!

Using unconventional methods, the artist gains a different perspective.  Though gaining insight about how to get a specific look may come gradually, as new techniques are attempted over time, it is exciting to immediately see the visual result on paper.

Sometimes a little direction is needed to remember exactly where the paint goes.  It is easy to get caught up in the process when having so much fun!

But being messy is okay too, especially in the studio where learning and exploration are most important!  

Only by taking risks can our young artist develop further strengths and skills.  Courage and curiosity are necessary for wisdom and knowledge to grow from an experience.  And the cool patterns that result in a pretty picture are just an added bonus!