I paint in order not to cry.
–Paul Klee
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I am getting stuff around to speak with a few classes of second graders this morning at a local school this morning. I had a wonderful experience speaking with third graders earlier in the year so I am looking forward to speaking with these kids. There is something energizing in the way they express themselves, appearing as it does without a whit of pretense. When they show interest or a sense of wonder, you know that it is the real thing.
And after a lifetime of dealing with adults where most interactions contain a lot of guarded words and expressions, it’s refreshing to deal with a group of kids who respond instantly and honestly.
I think at that age they have a desire to be heard. And that is something I understand and can relate to. I was somewhere around their age when I first had thoughts of being an artist and it came from my own desire to be heard and taken seriously.
We’ll probably talk about that. Should be fun.
At the top is a piece from one of my favorite artist, Paul Klee (1879-1940) along with a quote that I also understand from personal experience.
I don’t know that we’ll be talking about that this morning.
Have a good day.
Hi, enjoyed the email about talking to the children at school.When my son was a young one, I volunteered to go to talk to the fourth graders every few weeks. Actually had them do simple art projects at their desks. We did a lot of show and tell about how art they did could relate to some of the projects and lessons they had. Eventually the school supplied some colored pencils and crayons and plain paper for them to use. It was a very rewarding and enjoyable experience. That particular school had no kind of art program for the children.Margaret
That’s a big mistake many school systems make when they drop art as part of the curriculum. It is not just about learning to make things– it concerns itself with thinking and seeing things in a different way than many of these kids may have ever experienced. It encourages creative thinking that crosses into all fields. Thanks for the comment, Margaret!