This book contains a 34 creative activities designed to bring out the artist in all of us.
Why did I write this book? The answer is simple: I love what I do and I want to share it with those not in my classes. For years I have answered questions from teachers, children and parents such as: ‘What can I do for art that will take a few lessons and involves the theme of animals?’ or ‘I need to make a birthday piñata. How do I go about it? or ‘Can you show me how to make a mosaic tile for Mum’s birthday?’ I have always loved helping answer these questions but realised that if I could put a range of activities into a book, it would be like putting the answers in print. All anyone needed then was a bit of imagination and they could adapt the activities to suit their project.
Unfortunately though, there are so many children and adults who for whatever reason, think they haven’t the skills to produce quality artwork (by quality, I mean work that they or another can enjoy). The problem is that often when we don’t succeed as we or others perceive we should, we label ourselves as ‘not artistic’ and stop creating. In all the years I have taught, I have found that most children who consider themselves ‘not good at art’, are unhappy with their drawing skills and this stops their belief that they are creative. For some unknown reason, drawing skills or lack there of, seems to be the measure of an artist in most people’s minds. The change I have seen come over so many children in my lessons when introduced to other mediums that they have success in, has made every moment in the classroom worthwhile. The flow on then to other subjects due to a belief in themselves is often nothing short of astounding.
Art for Any Day, contains a wide range of activities that will help bring out the artist in all of us. The works featured have been completed by a very diverse group of children, both in age and ability, yet all are wonderful. I hope that in using this book, you too can find your own special creative talent, but most of all, find joy in what you create.
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