Artists for Kids
Marvelous Matisse
(Left is one of his most famous works, "The Joy of Life")



Known as the greatest colorist of the twentieth century, Henri Matisse was a painter and sculptor recognized internationally for his use of color, expressiveness and unique form. He was about 20 years old and recovering from appendicitis when his mother bought him art supplies to keep him busy as he recuperated. He refers to this time as discovering "a kind of paradise.” Within two years, he left his legal career to pursue art. His early works were influenced by post-Impressionist Paul Cezanne, in particular. Matisse had famous friends, too, including Pablo Picasso, a fellow modern art pioneer.

What kids can learn from Matisse?

(Art for Kids)
Matisse created colorful pictures that helped show how he was feeling. He also liked to use scissors and cut out a wide variety of shapes in all sizes and would make collages with them. Matisse was inspired by nature.

There are many ways to promote creativity in children. Make sure they get outside to gain an appreciation for nature, just as Matisse did. Children can enjoy the idea of Matisse’s shape collages by experimenting with Abrakadoodle’s Matisse Artist widget. Widgetbox™ helps people express, connect, create and inform using web widgets that can be easily shared and distributed anywhere on the web. The best part is: it's free! Visit Matisse Artist and check out other inventive applications at http://www.widgetbox.com/widget/MatisseArtist


Kids can also use colorful paper or create their own colorful designs on white paper and cut out interesting shapes in all sizes. They can use these cut-outs to make a collage or a card with interesting overlaps or with white space as they envision it. Encourage children to express their emotions using color, shapes and style. Perhaps they will find the comfort that Matisse did when he made art in his own style!

Creative Kids Need Art

The “Other IQ” can help ensure school success

Just two short years ago a new buzz started around the concept of the “Other IQ,” which stands for Imagination Quotient, as opposed to the familiar Intelligence Quotient. Results from a study conducted by Dr. Robert Sternberg of then Yale University revealed creativity was a very important factor in a student’s success in school and life. According to Dr. Sternberg, anyone can be creative, commenting, “It’s never too late to start developing a child’s creativity or even your own. Creativity is like exercise. If you make it a habit and regularly engage in creative activities that build the Other IQ, you’ll develop your creative muscles.”

How can the visual arts help children develop creativity?

Imagine children creating on canvas with bamboo brushes or working with fine sculpting material or designing a mosaic and learning the art of embossing. Exposure to a variety of art forms helps to challenge children to use their right brains as they problem-solve and apply diverse techniques. Art education can help children develop their imaginations; especially art classes that focus on Process Art (read more at www.abrakadoodle.com/process.htm). In no other venue can children actively express, explore, create, innovate and challenge without fear of rejection or negative judgment. Building creativity is so very important starting with toddlers and continuing throughout children’s lives. By the time children reach school age, the focus in education increasingly moves toward testing and conformity, which means that children get less opportunity to be creative. Today’s youth need to develop both intelligence and imagination– a strong pairing of competencies to serve them through life.

What’s your child’s imagination quotient?

Take the quiz: http://www.crayola.com/theartofchildhood/quiz.cfm

Artists For Kids

Mort Solberg is an award winning American artist who paints in oils, acrylics and watercolors. Solberg is an Abrakadoodle Artist of Distinction. He attended The Cleveland Institute Of Art studying painting and design. He established himself in the art world in California but, in 2006 he moved to Florida where he now paints full time. Solberg finds in nature his source of inspiration. Also his Native American ancestry is reflected on his creations. His techniques range from photo realism to total abstraction. He often paints an abstract background then adds realistic wild life to his paintings. Popular subjects are animals, birds, Native Americans and fishing scenes. Mort wanted to be an artist since he was a child. Today he is an advocate for art for kids.

What Kids Can Learn From Solberg
(Art for Kids)

Solberg's style of combining realistic and abstract images is a wonderful art education challenge for children. Children learn that art can combine both realism and abstractism effectively. Solberg creates parts of his paintings using a very large brush. This teaches children to freely create and paint without too much concern for small details. This type of painting encourages creativity and imagination in children.

Children identify with Solberg's love of the outdoors. Exploration of his art, encourages imagination and creativity. Learn more about Solberg on the web:

http://www.mortenesolberg.com/