Children and creativity

After creating my last post on who art is for, it got me thinking about children and art – or more specifically, creativity. I was drawing with my sister, when I realised she actually had a lot of really creative thoughts. I already knew that children are often more creative than their older counterparts, but it was then that I actually experienced it.

My sister and our Artwork

She took one look at the random squiggles and doodles I had drawn for her to colour in and she proclaimed “its a chicken!” At first, I had no idea what she was talking about, but then she explained. “Look, there’s the beak!” “and that’s the dangly bit!” and suddenly, I could see it! I mean, it was a bit surreal, and in no way accurate, but there was a rooster.

Her work next to mine

We carried on drawing – me with the pen adding the lines, her with the colours adding the well, colours – and we came up with our finished drawing (which looked nothing like a chicken in the end, might I add). But drawing with her made me realise that kids are incredibly creative and its something that should be encouraged. Its something that I touched upon in my last post, but children should be encouraged to be a part of the art world.

My parents have always encouraged me to go along to cultural and artistic related things and places. They even took me to the Tate in St Ives when I was young! I think that its because of experiences like these that I feel so much more comfortable in artistic institutions now than I might have otherwise. That is something that I’m so glad of.

Me visiting the Tate in St Ives and exploring what looks like some of Barbara Hepworth’s work

Getting children involved with art is something that I feel needs to happen. This is for a variety of reasons, but mainly, just because children are already so creative and their thoughts can sometimes be more interesting than the artwork itself. Wasn’t it Pablo Picasso that said “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

Thanks for reading
Cai

Share this:

This afternoon I volunteered with Arnolfini, The Architecture Centre and The ScrapStore to create a Family Arts Festival creative event at Junction 3 Library in Easton. Above anything else the event was fun, and we received some brilliantly positive comments from both parents and children.

The aim of the workshop was to encourage families to think of ways to improve Bristol and specifically the area they live in, Easton, and to imagine how it could be tomorrow. Allotments, a man-made beach and flowery bins were just a selection of ideas. The children really used their imagination and I was so impressed with some of the ideas and designs they produced.

In terms of a career path, creative educational workshops like these certainly feature up there for me, as a I really enjoy using my creative skills and interests in an educational and community based environment.

We all went home covered in green glitter, which has got to be a sign of a successful and fun-filled afternoon!

Florida Film – My outcome

As I mentioned in my last blog post I wanted to make a film of my experiences in Florida. I had never been to the USA before and found the whole experience really exciting, in particular, I loved the southern part of Florida because of the variety of cultural influences. We used the Rough Guide to Florida for ideas of places to go and I’d really encourage people to do this as we found places we would have never have got to by ourselves like the incredible fruit stand, Robert is Here, in Homestead, where you can buy anything from plantain to miracle fruit to key lime milkshakes.

I spent some time on almost all of the days filming my family and their surroundings, however by the time we reached the Everglades I’d run out of memory card space and decided to spend the rest of the holiday without my camera. Now that I’m home I’ve had time to organise the shots into a short film, and this is the result. I intend to use this as the starting point for my last project on my Foundation.

The music is Man on Fire by Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros.

Hope you enjoy!

– Grace

My Florida Top 5

On Saturday I’ll be heading over to the USA for the first time and as can be expected I’m really excited!! I plan to use this trip as the basis for my next art project, and will collect footage to use for an outcome. My family and I are doing a road trip around Florida and I thought I’d share with you the 5 things I’m most excited about:

In no particular order

1. The Everglades

An area of swampy wetlands, with amazing wildlife. I think there’s a big alligator population, which is exciting as I’ve never seen them properly. From the pictures it looks pretty spectacular!

2. The Weeki Wachee Mermaids

Oh come on – who doesn’t want to see mermaids!?!

3. Manatee sightings

Otherwise known as sea-cows and once mistaken for mermaids (though they’re a far cry for the Weeki Wachee Mermaids!) We were going to try to swim with the manatees but after a bit of research it all seemed a little forced, so we’ll probably rent canoes and see if we bump into any instead. This means we’re likely to see less of them but seems to be more comfortable for the animals. 

4. Thrift Shopping

My sister has been spamming me with thrift shops in Florida, and with Macklemore’s song being EVERYWHERE at the moment, it’s pretty hard not to be excited about this! As America didn’t have rationing in the war the vintage clothing is supposed to be better over there.

5. SUNSHINE!!

 

I’m so excited!! Post again to fill you in!

– Grace