In Creating, the hardest part is to begin

" In creating, the hardest part is to begin" This quote stands out to me because I think it is one of the largest stumbling blocks I see among those who come to visit my studio. I have had clients agonize over the choices. Sometimes it's because there are so many choices, but sometimes it's just the client not knowing where to begin. Sometimes my clients have just been really warped by past art experiences. I am challenged with the task of undoing the years of self doubt in a two hour walk in experience.

First things first, what is it you are going to make? You have to have an idea of what you are trying to accomplish. Once you can visualize what your finished item will look like, the rest will fall into place. When I have a child who is having a tough time choosing between a couple of pieces, we will pull them off the bisque shelf place them side by side and then I will ask them, "tell me how you see this painted" Often times, they can give me more details on one vs the other, and BINGO! I helped them make their choice.

Some people tell me they fear colors, because they just don't know what looks good together. Fear of color is OK. You don't have to be good at putting colors together to make something beautiful. Use the inspirations available to you or look to an expert for help or inspiration. In our studio we keep a number of books with current magazine clippings and inspiring ideas. We also display finished projects in a variety of areas in the studio. Look around, you never know what will spark that creative idea into your own project.

Our color and design center

Other places I look for inspiration. I shop local gift and home stores. I love magazines and I follow a bunch of bloggers and crafters who inspire me to try new things.  I know I have mentioned it before, but I just LOVE Pinterest. Please follow me! Pinterest is a great way to store those ideas without creating more clutter. When I need a project for a class, or want to make a new sample, I go to Pinterest, make myself a print sheet, and go into my studio and start creating from the things that I like.

So, what are you working on? What inspires you?

Feel Good, Paint Pottery

Statistics show that humans are living longer because of advances in the health industry. Yet depression and suicide remain the 3rd leading cause of death in youth ages 15-24. That’s a lot of unhappiness in a society that compared to our decedents, are essentially “living large”

So how do we keep our kids happy and healthy? First off we start off with obvious, meeting their physical needs, lots of love, providing them with food, clothing, an adequate education, a comfortable place to live, sleep and play.

There are lots of things that make kids happy. Heck my daughter is happy when she can be in control of anything. Holding the mixer when we make cookies, pouring the milk for cereal and deciding the activity or movie we will watch on a Sunday is enough for her to declare this is the “best day ever”

How about your child’s mental health. How about providing some creative time? Creative time for both you and your children is one great way to boost self esteem and just that all around feel good attitude!

The creative process has long been associated as a life enhancing and healing process. Many have discovered that creativity helps us let go of ill will or anger. When you create something beautiful, you can’t help but feel good!

Here are some clinically studied benefits of creativity:

Through the creative process, one can enhance cognitive abilities, de-stress and really enjoy the life-affirming pleasure of the artistic process.

Here are some statistics I found on the Americans for Art website www.artsusa.org

Making art requires:

• Flexibility,
• Close observation/perceptual development,
• spatial reasoning,
• physical and conceptual manipulation of tools and materials,
• tolerance for chaos, and ambiguity,
• the ability to sequence materials

The creative process allows us to engage physical and emotional reasoning that utilizes brain structures that are quite different, yet interact with verbal reasoning.

Creative art:

• Engages the whole brain, accessing both right and left hemisphere.
• Promotes visual and spatial sequential reasoning.
• Art making encourages spontaneity. Promotes self discipline.
• Promotes socialization. Increases self esteem

Did you know, young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week for at least one full year are

• 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement and
• 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Young artists, as compared with their peers, are likely to:

• Attend music, art, and dance classes nearly three times as frequently. Participate in youth groups nearly four times as frequently.
• Read for pleasure nearly twice as often.
• Perform community service more than four times as often

Working on Art projects is a fantastic way to connect one on one with children. Some of my best moments with my daughter are the times we spend together engaged in a creative activity.

How old should your children be before engaging in art projects? I say start them young. If your child can hold a crayon, marker or paintbrush, help them safely learn cause and effect by striking the coloring tool to a piece of paper. Supervision is key here as children 12-36 months may still want to put items in their mouth. My friends thought I was nuts when I held a class in my studio for two year olds. The two year olds were ready, but I think many parents aren't ready for the mess that is sure to be explored. Realistically, at two years old, your child is developing hand eye coordination, reasoning skills, and learning to engage their brains. Logically, creative art is something they can safely do on their own. Mixing and mashing colors is cause and effect. Not to mention early development of learning color names and combinations. The use of a paint brush helps younger children develop early writing skills. Younger children will only have the ability to stick to a project for short amounts of time. Given time, not only will they develop skills that engage them longer they will also develop a life long love of the art process.

Ok, so I know some of you are thinking, but I can’t get my child to sit still for two minutes…and other objections. Engaging your child in creative activities is lifelong and as habitual as brushing your teeth. But, once they learn how enjoyable getting creative can be, they may soon see it your way. Especially when one of those creative experiences is turned into a sharing experience--Watch your child beam when they hand over a gift they made themselves. You will see the pride and self confidence shine in your child.

Try an art project today! I think you will be surprised at your success!

Visit us at www.artasyoulikeit.net

We would be happy to show you how to make some art!