Artists For Kids

Natasha Wescoat is an artist from Michigan. She is a painter, illustrator, photographer and a videographer. Her works range from contemporary abstracts to pop art cartoons and her favorite medium is acrylic paint. She is an Abrakadoodle Artist of Distinction and she has works in private and corporate collections worldwide. Wescoat creates vibrant, whimsical paintings that are inspired by landscapes in which she expresses emotion, energy and movement.

What Kids Can Learn From Wescoat
(Art for Kids)





Natasha creates beautiful pictures using vibrant colors and swirling shapes. She likes to feel the movement, energy and life coming from her artwork. Children can learn about soft edge shapes using wavy lines, swirls and dots.


Wescoat is inspired by the lighter side of life and she wants the viewer to smile. Her artwork inspires children to express their feelings through colors and shapes while developing their creativity.

Learn more about her work at:


http://www.natashawescoat.com/

Art Education for Kids

Nature is in the eye of the beholder

What if we never came to know Georgia O’Keefe, with her vividly enchanting, bigger-than-life nature paintings? The world would have missed out on her giant, colorful flowers and the emotion captured in her desert landscapes. Hers is a cautionary tale for those who over-direct, restrict or push children to imitate the ideas and art forms of others. Georgia O’Keefe is one of the most famous American female painters, and she revolutionized modern art. She had to overcome the need to satisfy someone else’s idea of how her art should look in order to fully develop her potential. Early in her career, O’Keefe became discouraged and decided to destroy her work because she felt that each piece was created to satisfy someone else’s ideals. Ultimately, Georgia’s own design sensibilities won out, and her paintings won the hearts of viewers everywhere.

Are your children passionate about nature? Encourage creative expression by sending your children outdoors with a large tablet, pencils, markers and/or paints (Crayola® has a whole line of “Outdoor” products!) and suggest that they explore nature in search of something special to them. Prompt them by asking, “What do you see that looks interesting to you?” Send them on a nature treasure hunt. Use that flower, tree, insect, animal or plant as an object of inspiration to create their unique works of art. Ask them how this living part of nature makes them feel and to use this feeling when they create their artwork. Perhaps they are attracted to the changing colors of the sunset and wish to paint a watercolor capturing the scene. You should remind them that they do not need to make their art in any particular size, shape or color. Let them react to their setting in a way that works best for them, and remember that the process is as important as the finished product!

Creativity for Kids

Old media made new again

We’re not “lion” when we say that CD’s are not biodegradable. According to the CD Recycling Center of America, “Each year, billions of CDs and DVDs are manufactured, while millions of these discs end up in landfills and incinerators.” Equally disturbing, these plastic-based products emit toxins when burned. Recycling can help stop pollution, prevent health hazards, slow global warming and conserve natural resources. In addition to sending away your CDs to recycling centers, you have another option: transforming your CDs into art.

Go to Abrakadoodle’s website to discover an array of fun projects you can do at home:

http://www.abrakadoodle.com/project_cds.htm

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/

Get an Early Start with Art

Getting an early start in the arts can make a real difference in the lives of children. The arts impact the developmental growth of every child. When children express themselves through the arts, they benefit in many ways. Research shows that the benefits of early arts education extend way beyond providing an important creative outlet for children. Young children build fine motor, language and cognitive skills. Elementary age students strengthen problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which helps to increase overall academic achievement and school success. When children use their imaginations, they enjoy a sense of accomplishment, as well as build confidence in themselves.

Art education also helps children develop a sense of craftsmanship, quality task performance, and goal-setting, which are valuable skills needed to succeed in the classroom and beyond. The arts help children to develop more appreciation and tolerance for other people’s unique point of view. A quality art program also introduces children to world cultures through art forms and activities unique to different regions and countries. From broadening perspective to expressing thoughts, feelings and perceptions, the visual arts are a smart choice for children. Art is one activity that offers children a release from the increasing pressures of academics, sports and many other competitively-focused enrichment activities. A balm for the soul, art also helps kids learn how to see the big picture, which is an important life skill.

Artists For Kids

Leonor Brazão comes from a family of artists and since early age was involved in music, dance and visual arts. She was born in Portugal, lived in Brazil and later moved to the United States where today she is a practicing artist and “Artist in Residence” for Abrakadoodle, a national art education program. Brazão’s creates abstract paintings and collages using vivid colors and organic body forms. She often includes subjects from her life such as music, her native country or people.

What Kids Can Learn From Brazão
(Art for Kids)

Brazão uses line and color to create images that inspire thought, creativity and imagination in children. Her tile paintings depict organic images that form letters showing children that fonts can take many forms and are fun to create!

Her colorful abstracts show children that they can take simple images from their lives and create colorful paintings or collages that can inspire kids art. Learn more about Brazão on the web at

http://www.brazao.com/

Creativity: Be a Booster and Not a Buster

There is no doubt that children benefit from learning to use their imaginations in creative pursuits. Creative kids learn how to problem-solve, see new and different ways to do things, and they can apply innovation in all aspects of their lives. Art is synonymous with creativity. Whether children participate in planned art activities or they use their imaginations at home, there are several ways you can help support children’s creative pursuits:

DO – set up a creative cupboard in an area where your child can readily access such art tools as recycled household items (cardboard tubes, fabric scraps, etc), crayons, water-based markers, paints, glue stick, glitter, stamps, construction paper, and so forth. Make sure that the products you supply children are age-appropriate and carry the AP label for non-toxicity.

AVOID – passing out coloring books that limit creativity.

DO – set aside “creativity clothes” for children. This is play apparel that kids can wear in confidence and can take a paint splash without causing distress for the young artist (or parent).

AVOID – criticizing children if they get messy or continually cleaning up after them. Keep in mind that children pick up on the messages they see and hear.

DO – Keep creativity open-ended. This means that children will do one-of-a-kind creations given an array of interesting material and blank paper, boxes, and more.

AVOID – telling children what to do or giving them a model of a finished piece of art to reproduce. This can cause frustration and limits individuality.

DO – Build upon interests! If children enjoy video games, give them index cards or poster board to create their own storyboard with characters and settings they can design. Car enthusiasts can sketch a design for their ultimate auto. Doll lovers can create a design for their own paper dolls. Fashion fans can embellish a pair of jeans with lace and sparkles.

AVOID – making negative judgments about children’s ideas or creations.

DO – Give specific, positive feedback that focuses on the creative process and not the finished product. “I like that bold color. Tell me how you chose that blend? How did you make it? What was your inspiration?”

AVOID – simplistic comments, such as “Isn’t that pretty?” Children enjoy honest compliments that focus on specific accomplishments, such as shape, scale, color, design, theme, etc.

DO – Display children’s artwork. Abrakadoodle uses FrameDoodles to proudly display student creations in its classes for children. Honoring children’s artwork boosts confidence and inspires children to continue with their healthy, creative pursuits.