Most of yesterday included building great memories and hopefully encouraging and inspiring about 70 young artists to enjoy art. Last week, I'd rigged up homemade palettes from styrofoam meat trays (THANK YOU, Krogers,) then filled each with American Journey watercolors purchased from Cheap Joes. Along with the palettes, I'd packed brushes, lots of Fabriano Artistico paper cut into fourths, water containers, small sponges, some salt, and a half a credit card for each child to use. My destination was an elementary school in northern Indiana, four hours from my studio.
Earlier this year, one of our grangdaughters, Paige, explained to her kindergarten teacher that her grandma was a 'real' artist, so her teacher had asked if I could come to class and show them what I did. Paige was so excited, and her painting (shown here) is a beautiful portrait in progress - of me! 
In the second grade class, a couple of the boys said they'd rather continue painting than have to stop and go to gym class. I figure that's about the best possible endorsement for the joy that art can bring to a child's life. The day was priceless to me. The creativeness was awesome in each room with the finished paintings so varied and expressive. That good looking boy (I'm not biased even though we're related) running toward me and my camera was returning supplies that were left in his room earlier and was one of my great helpers yesterday. It was so worth doing, and I hope we get to do this again next year.
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8 comments:
Looks like you made a lot of kids really happy. :-) Some kids never get to paint at home, and never get to see a real artist. Thank you for sharing that with us.
you are the best Sandy!!
My, what an art journey that was!! I love the photos - those kids had a ball!!
You seem to have prepared it all with a lot of care, and they visibly enjoyed the painting immensely! What a great idea!
To be honest I can't decide if I'm most envious of the kids or of you, I can't think of a better experience than painting with kids and helping them discover the awesome world of creativity, lucky you!!!
What a wonderful day for you and your proud grandkids :)
Hi Teresa, Michelle, Dawn, Caroline, and Rhonda. It WAS my lucky day. The abundance of blessings of being with children, especially your own grandchildren, is beyond marvelous. Next year they'll get plastic palettes WITH lids, though. Can't wait! This weekend the five of us will do some bubble paintings, too, plus have a squirt gun fight --- think I'll be the wettest looser/winner?
What a wonderful day you gave all the children. I forget how lucky our own children (or in my case grandchildren nowadays) who can dig out our paints and paper and have fun when they visit. I've even been brave enough to let them use acrylics!!!! I love teaching but 70 children sounds like quite a challenge!! You're a star.
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