What were your experiences (if any) in regards to Art as a child? Do you think Art is different now than it was when you were young? If so, how?
As a child, I was immersed into the colourful world of art. I loved colouring books and painting. When frequent visits to England to visit family, my nana took me to art workshops and shows where we spent afternoons painting in oils. Art was not simply as an activity, but as a meaningful form of expression.
At home, my mum became an artist who is an active West Coast artist and posts her paintings to her own website @ CreativeDesigns – https://creativedezigns.ca
I also attend her art shows where she has even sold paintings.
Art and photography was my forte blending in design and creative composition. Photography became a form of art, showcasing artistic forms of photos around world travels and close to home; with my own FOD PhotoSite @ http://FODPhotosite.com online. I still snap photographs that inspire painted works. On our last night in Kauai, Hawaii many years ago, I took a photo of a beautiful sunset. As we got home, my mum painted the picture and we have it hanging in our family room at home, reminds of fond memories in Hawaii.
Moments like this prove that art links to memory, to emotion and to storytelling as well. Thinking about art then and now, art remains the same, but can be expanded upon as an experienced artist may be. Children often utilize art with art painted on hands, paper on tables, and experience art in different forms.
Art now a days comes in many forms, such as photography, mixed media, and technology-generated art. The tools might look slightly different, but the essence seems to stay the same: Art nurtures creativity, imagination and self expression. Art remains a central expression medium in early childhood development.
Art it is an invitation for children to enter a colourful world to explore ideas, feelings, and identity. Whether painted, clay, photographed or digital, art offers children unique tools for sharing thoughts, which words sometimes cannot express verbally. Being immersed in art at an early age has been my learning experience, this can offer lifelong inspiration as well as help a child to empower themselves and express themselves in their drawing or painting or even photography. Art is a wonderful, colorful form of expression and enjoyment crafting creativity and inspiration. Where would be without it?
