Kindy Artist Visit: Teaching kids that art is about the journey not the destination
Hello fellow art enthusiasts and creative minds! Today, I'm excited to share an enchanting experience I had recently during a special artist visit to my local kindergarten. This visit was prompted by a heartfelt desire to impart a crucial lesson to these young, budding artists – that art is about the journey, not the destination.
The inspiration for this visit came from a little incident involving my son at kindy. During an art session where the children were working on self-portraits, my son experienced a moment of frustration. The vision he had in his mind seemed elusive given his current skill level, leading to a little meltdown. The thoughtful teachers, aware of my background as an artist, suggested that sharing my perspective could be beneficial for the kids.
Rather than planning an elaborate presentation, I opted for a more spontaneous approach. Knowing that little ones often lead the way, I brought along an assortment of art supplies, ready to follow their interests and curiosity. The goal was to convey to them that art is primarily about expression and enjoying the creative process, rather than fixating on creating something that looks flawless.
As I stepped into the kindergarten, I was met with a room full of eager faces and boundless energy. The children were buzzing with questions, their enthusiasm contagious. We dived into a delightful conversation about my paintings, and I was amazed by their stories about the birds they recognised from my artworks and their real-life encounters with these feathered friends.
One of the key messages I wanted to share was the significance of the creative journey. I brought an array of brushes, illustrating how I begin my paintings with giant brushes, gradually working my way down to teeny tiny ones for those intricate finishing touches. The kids were fascinated, and it sparked discussions about how starting with smaller brushes from the beginning would make the painting process seemingly endless.
What unfolded was a magical and spontaneous exploration of art. Laughter echoed through the room as the children eagerly asked me all their questions. Their questions were insightful, showcasing an innate curiosity about the world of art.
As I left the kindergarten, I couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to share my passion for art with these bright-eyed youngsters. I hope that, in some small way, my visit left them with the understanding that art is not about perfection but about embracing the joy of expression and the adventure of living a creative life.