Marking Your Journey

It's that time of year again BBQ,fresh fruit of all kinds, the heat, swimming and sleeping in a bit. Also the 'I'm booorrreedd" where I am trying to lure my kids away from the electronics, get out side and experience what is out there...beyond those screens!Maybe your like us,we do not have big travel plans scheduled this year. Just things around our area, a church camp with my triplets to VA -I'm a chaperone- and my HD to Canada with the oldest for scouts- during the same week. Or maybe you are headed to the beach, family reunion or another great adventure.
Journaling in all forms is a great way to keep everyone experiencing the surroundings whether big or small adventures.
This year we started one journal for the summer. We all are writing,drawing, clipping and pasting in it. (kids need to practice their 'putting thoughts on paper' the teacher said too.) It is about what we are doing most days, our goals for the summer are in it,bits and bobs from travels and restaurants, anything and of course-drawings. I hope it to be a great keepsake of the summer too. Mis-spellings and all.
We are keeping ours in a basket on the table so it is convenient to grab. I also have some markers and a glue stick.  We we run somewhere we usually just grab the journal and add color later.I already keep a glue stick with me and we are fans of tearing things out and so we don't even take scissors.

MATERIALS: Any acid free items you use will just last longer than we live they claim. :/
Journal of your choice. I recommend smaller than bigger. Easy to take with you and not so big you feel as if it is to much to fill up.
favorite writing pen ( I have so many it can be hard to decide for me.)
Glue stick
Optional: markers, Twistables or colored pencils, ( No crayons if you will be leaving it in the hot car)
scissors

All is fair in record keeping and memory making...so have fun and enjoy!

Lent in the Artful Way You Can Start Anytime

Daily reflecting through miniature pieces of art anybody can do.This Lent I cam across Artful Lent Prompt  by Tamara Paterson. I decided  to try even though I found out about day 8. Better to start somewhere than not at all. Though it is a journal project i applied my twisted line drawings to them, They are black and white art created through, simple, structured patterns in a small size meant to be relaxing and fulfilling.Small in size, 3.5 x 3.5", so it can be completed in a reasonable time= a successful challenge for me.  I thought it would be a great way to better to connect to God. through this gift of creativity and art he gave me. You too can create art for a way to relax and focus.  And to connect to God if you desire. Give it a try.

Day 9: Artful Lent Prompt.
Mark 6:31  Rest

I find much comfort out in nature. The wonder of how things work, grow and work together. I mean there is a full functioning body inside insects smaller than the head of a pin...amazing.

I love trees and what a great place to rest.The sun going down or just coming up at that quiet time. When I can reflect on the day ahead or behind and have a conversation with God.

Day 8: Artful Lent Prompt. 

James 2:17 Matt 5:14.  Comfort

Oh the comfort of my mom./there is nothing like it. She was always there. Now a mother of four, I am often called upon to give comfort. I go to God for wisdom and help with  my kids more often than I bet he wants to hear from me. Comforting is one of the easy parts, the right answers can be the touchy part.

I start with a pencil sketch after I free hand the border. Draw in some of my pattern ideas.Then proceed with putting in the ink lines with a Pigma artist marker, .01 black. 

Day 10: Artful Lent Prompt. 
Matt 11:28. Isaiah 41:3. Isaiah 40:31.  Strength

I get my strength through prayer. I couldn't have gotten through so the many challenges in my life without the strength I get ,conversation,and listening time during my prayers.My patter for the back ground is to lead toward the cross/God. I started with this one pattern inside but ended up not caring for it.

 

The drops right around the center of the cross represent to me the blood God shed,the tears I shed for what he took on at the cross for me. A lowly sinner.The curly 'plant' pattern with in the 'web'-I weave in my days-is how I grow through my prayer life and relationship with God. Oh and the little swirls on the hands: I pray or talk to God a LOT through my swirly crazy day.Right now I am not sure how to finish off the hands. I will wait to see what is revealed.

Day 13: Artful Lent Prompt. 
Daniel 6:10. Luke 22:39. John 18:2.

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Read more about creating Twisted Line, Zentangle,Tangle doodles go to my post here.

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Talking to Your Kids About their Art

Encouraging creativity in kids is such an important roll for parents/teachers/adults. One of the fun and rewarding things we get to do. With my recent show of work at our school I thought I would touch some tips about talking to others about their art. As and a child or an adult art is a great activity. It is fun , playful and helps awaken our senses to the rest of what our day-to-day has. Do you remember the kids in your class who was always drawing? When did it stop... Why did it stop?
Even if you or the children in your life are not one of the blessed ones to ever become working artist, there are so many more benefits. And you can play a significant roll in the continuing of it.

• problem solving
• visualizing and planning
• emotional expression
• organization
• organization of thoughts and ideas
• creativity
•  self esteem
• physical dexterity
• risk-taking
• person satisfaction
• No "right" or "wrong" except possibly in the use of tools and materials 
• Get to working with interesting tools and materials
• Plain old FUN to DO

As I mentioned 'right or ''wrong' applies really to only the use of the tools and materials, not in the artwork itself or the subject mater. It is usually a good thing when your kids' drawing and paintings don't look like any of the others in the class. This can show individual thinking and ideas.
Giving kids more blank papers and fewer coloring pages will help their individual creativity to grow.

Focus on the process of making art, not the product. You want to give them plenty or room in the conversation to talk. Don't over do it and be to critical or to over the top with praises. If you go on all the time, kids' will stop valuing your praises. Actually may doubt they do anything truly praise worthy. Focus the attention of your praise on the doing of the art. "You really worked hard on this drawing." What a great idea! rather than on their intellectual or how smart they are. Kids who are rewarded for doing, making progress, working through the challenges, even learning from what didn't work continue to thrive. Those congratulated for 'being smart" or artistic and creative stat playing it safe to protect their image.


Here are some conversation starters.
Focus on product:
"How did you do this?"
"You were really concentrating."
"That is an interesting way to use the pencil/pen/brush/paper."
"What does that feel like when you use ...so much color,...no color...all that texture?"

Talk about the line, shape, colors, texture, you see in their work.
"I really like.... in your painting."
"It is interesting how you used lots of ....."
" How did you get that to do...that/"

Promote Self -Evaluations.
"Have you included everything you want to tell your story?"
" Does it look like it all goes together?"
"What is one thing you like about your piece? Why?"
"Is there something you don't like about your piece? Why?
"What is the most expressive part about the art?"

Encourage effort, enjoyment and risk taking.
 "What could be another way to use this tool?"
"It is fun and exciting to try new things/ways and see what happens."
" I am proud of you when you try hard things anyway."
"I am proud of you for stepping out of your comfort zone. That's not easy and doesn't feel safe."
" We learn a lot from our mistakes. What we don't like or won't do again"
 
Your interest and your encouragement contribute daily to your children creative development. I was fortunate though my parents were not artist they encouraged me to try anything and everything. Bought me more supplies and sent me to classes. I now do the same for my four kids. I'm the mom who doesn't mind painting in the house, digging up our Pennsylvania clay to make pots. I give them the best quality materials I can. Keep sketchbooks and paper in the car for doctors appointments and waiting during practices etc.. Tell them they just learned what they didn't like when something doesn't go as hoped. Try again...But really....they are just another reason for me to have fun and play in paint!

Next Post: What NOT to say when talking to your kids about their art.