Home Ed Creatives

Facilitating Creativity

When adults hear that I run Art classes for children; they on occasion tell me about their experiences with their Art Teacher when they were younger. The negative shared experiences are similar – there was no room to deviate from what their teacher had in mind. Understandably, there are reasonable intensions (curriculum, school standards etc) but at the same time, it has left a negative lasting impression.

There is no doubt we are all wired for creativity. Whether creativity is expressed in Artistic expressions or Cookery skills or Music or Literary Skills or Designing Computer Games, creativity is what we humans excel in. Our Creative expressions are woven into our cultural expressions. It brings us together. It connects us.

Daily Bread – Expressing Creativity in the Kitchen

I love facilitating the various sessions with the children. One of my key goals in each session is encouraging the children to explore the wide expanse of the ‘Creative Landscape’. Currently, we are in the middle of an Australian Theme in the Art Classes and reading Roald Dahl’s The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me (illustrated by Quentin Blake). Learning about the beauty uniqueness of the Animals in Australia and discovering Art X Stories Sessions we are just warming up with creating our own supplies for ‘The Grubber’ using alliterations.

Koala Bears – Charcoal, Gouache & Watercolours

A common concern of parents of Gen Z, myself included; is how much our children are consumed by their electronic devices and social media. At the heart of all the scrolling, is a desire to connect. It is what drives FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). I think the antidote to this is allowing more opportunities for creativity to be nurtured.

Daily Drawing Prompts to Facilitate a Creative Habit

Staying Curious

Children are naturally curious. It is their sheer curiosity that leads them to discover their abilities and explore boundaries. Without curiosity, humankind would not have spread and survived as we have today. I think curiosity and creativity are inextricably linked. Curiosity fuels creativity. The key is staying curious. Children are naturally curious but this curiosity can easily be stifled.

I have been asked many times if I had always been ‘artistic’ or ‘creative’. I often find myself mentally stuck in not knowing how to reply. The truth is, I have always loved loved drawing and even had dreams of being of a Cartoonist. Due to various factors; I did not have the opportunity to nurture this side of me. However, my creativity did get expressed in various ways – running Children, Youth and Young Adult’s events during my school and University days; running an After School Club; writing a Language Course; organising Community Development programmes and of course, Home Educating my own children.

Dressing up as Greek Men with Bed sheets – 10 years ago

I found the freedom to Home Educate liberating. I loved researching about education and thinking about education. One of the huge influencers in my thinking about education was the late Sir Ken Robinson. His TED Talk (2006) was seminal in raising a global discussion on education. He was a vocal and strategic thinker. I particularly love this engaging interview with Sarah Montague on BBC Sounds where he is questioned about his thoughts on Education and Creativity. As a Home Educating parent, I had the liberty to implement some of ideas I was discovering; ensuring that my children stayed curious and facilitated an environment for creativity to flourish.

“Are you really saying Dance is as important as Maths?”SM
“Yes, because children like you and me are not brains on sticks.” KR

It has been no different in running Home Ed Creatives. This month marks the 2nd year of Home Ed Creatives. I have had the privilege of meeting a whole range of Home Educated/Schooled children from the UK and from different countries . When I started, I had only offered it as a Free set of classes for the Home Ed Group my Son was a part of. I did not anticipate that it would evolve to what it is today beyond the 5 weeks! Majority of the children in my current groups have been in my classes for over a year, signing up beyond the 5 weeks.

At the heart of all my sessions is nurturing creativity through affirming curiosity. The themes we do are based on feedback from the Home Ed Creatives themselves. I research about the topics suggested, look for resources and design a session with the children in mind. I love what I do. I suppose Sir Ken Robinson would have said I have found my Element.

The Creative Process

This month marks the 2nd year of Home Ed Creatives. Majority of the children in my current groups have been in my classes for over a year. Each continue to sign up after a 5 week cycle. It has been a pleasure to see each Home Ed Creative’s Creative journey.

A favourite ‘warm up’ activity is asking the children what is the longest journey they have ever taken. Many are able to relate how to the feeling of just wanting to arrive at our destination. I then point out that it is inevitable that we will face similar feelings of frustration with our own creative journey. It’s normal, but the key is to keep going as we WILL grow in our creativity over time.

Quick Sketches of the Kitchen at the Servant’s Quarters of Petworth House
& introductory leaflet to the Tuner paintings,

Last month, I had the privilege of seeing two JMW Turner’s works which are owned by The Frick Collection at The National Gallery. Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to see a some of the collection of his works at Petworth House, National Trust. Turner’s connection with the House goes beyond his works which were bought by the then owner – George O’Brien Wyndham, 3rd Earl of Egremont (1751-1837). He also a frequent guest who stayed and was commissioned to paint the surrounding landscapes. It was fascinating to see the range of Turner’s works, the various canvas sizes (the largest being the ones owned by The Frick Collection, and to see the change in artistic style through the years.

Brief introduction in Leaflet and my Sketches to the ‘Turner on Tour’ paintings at the National Gallery (on till the 19th Feb 2023)

JMW Turner (1775 – 1851) was a talented young Artist from Covent Gardens, London. He was a child prodigy who was started his studies at the Royal Academy Schools at just 14 years of age. His Creative journey was not without criticism; but he was successful in his life time as an Artist. One of the things he is renowned for is his depiction of light. I am personally fascinated by how he skilfully includes people in his landscapes. I have enjoyed looking at his paintings over the span of his successful creative career, noticing the various ‘notes’ in his artistic voice. Observing his Creative journey through his paintings has not only inspired but has also sparked ideas as I look forward to welcoming back the various Home Ed Creatives next week.

Beloved Bears

There is something appealing about Bears. It is likely you have had a bear in some form or other once in your lifetime – a teddy bear toy as a child or perhaps a gift for a card. Or perhaps it was a favourite childhood character. When I first thought of the having Bears as a theme for the last 5 weeks, I did not expect how much it would be enjoyed by the children in my Art Classes.

For each week, we focused on observing and drawing on a particular bear species. As always, I spent time researching on the themes and topics for each week; looking for relevant resources that would not just inspire the children but also to have the tools that would facilitate creativity. Sharing it with the children and having time to talk, engage and discover is such an amazing process

Panda Bears was the first topic. I usually include a clip from National History Documentary. But for this topic, we were actually able to watch a live broadcast of Panda Bears in Chengdu, China! We had great fun learning about the Spectacled Bear. Many were surprised to learn that the illustration of Paddington Bear is based on this particular Bear. The Polar Bear and the Sloth Bear (which inspired Rudyard Kipling’s Baloo) were the remaining two topics. On the final week I gave the option to work on a completely different Art medium. I recommended Air Dry Clay but I had one Creative painting with Coffee another tried Watercolours for the first time. We all had a blast!

Creating creative pieces with Bears together has not only just been fun but also inspiring. Perhaps the cuteness of bears appeals to the children. As someone who enjoys learning about Art History, I was amazed to learn about the Chauvet Cave where there are Cave Drawings of Bears drawn over 32 000 years ago! To think that we millennials later continue to draw these amazing animals.

How many Bears can you see?
Source : Google Arts & Culture App

Making Art Accessible

There is something about Art (in its broadest definition) that makes my heart sing. Whether it is seeing patterns on a leaf or the rings of a sliced onion or the finished Art pieces at the end of an Art session. It nourishes my soul in a special way. I believe I am not alone in this. As humans we have always been drawn to Art – whether its drawings on Cave walls or weaving threads or adding soft furnishings to our home. Through it, our personalities and the way we see the world is expressed.

Through working with aged 10 – 17 year olds over the last two years, I have had the privilege of seeing the world through their wonderful personalities – each one unique. All of them have inspired me and their peers through their wit, comments and artistic expressions. Over 95% of the children who sign up for my classes are girls. I make it a priority that I include Female Artists – past and present, emerging as well as established; to inspire them in their creative journey.

In discovering about the work of Helen Saunders – British Vorticist Movement (1885 -1963) and Eva Gonzalès – French Impressionists (1849 -1883) along with reading Katy Hessel’s The Story of Art without Men, I am struck by the resilience of these female Artists. In their Art works, their brilliance and personalities radiates forth. They did this in spite of the prevailing barriers they encountered as Female Creatives of their times.

Some updated sketches from my Art Gallery Visit Sketch book

Times have changed. We live in a time when the resources available for discovering living Artists, even connecting with them possible through Social Media platforms as well as Podcasts. One of my first ‘go to’ resource in planning for my Creative Sessions the App Google Arts & Culture. Through it we have visited virtual Museums and studied & discussed paintings together. Art has become so much more accessible like never before. This makes my heart sing even louder!

An engaging & inspiring book to read with younger children

Drawing Prompts – February

In an earlier post I wrote about how Drawing Prompts got me back into doing drawing and sketching. If you / your child have/ as started using the Prompts – even for a just a day; ‘WELL DONE!’ If you have not, join in!

There are a number of ‘special’ days in February. Not just Valentine’s Day. It is Safer Internet Day – 7th, World Radio Day – 13th, the start of Nest Box Week – 14th and International Polar Bear Day – 27th. I have highlighted these days on the Drawing Prompt list, and by clicking on underlined ‘days’ will lead you to the various related sites. You will find information and there are often resources which your children might enjoy,

Another special day in February is the 17th. It is Random Acts of KIndness Day. One of the things I have realised over the years as a busy Mom is the need to take time to for myself. Life, especially if one is Home Educating/Schooling; it is easy to think of everyone else’s need before oneself. For me, giving myself time to Paint has been one of the the kindest thing I have done for myself. For you it might be something else. Whatever it is, I hope you will take take time to do Random Act of Kindness for yourself.

International Polar Bear Day – 27th February

Connect…..Inspire…..CREATE!

Creativity takes Courage
Henri Mattisse

I probably got acquainted with the of the negative voices as I got older and over the years, they became just became ‘tolerated’; until I decided to confront it – one stroke at a time, one blank paper at a time. I have filled up so many blank spaces but many more are lined up on my bookshelf – waiting for their turn.

Facing a blank piece of paper IS a daunting task. I sense it often – along with all sorts of ‘what if voices…’ – the negative ones. You know – ‘I am not at drawing people’ / “I don’t draw as a well as….” I am sure I was not born with it and am sure none of us were. Some of my earliest creative moments include drawing on sand and writing with chalk. No negative voices.

Recognising my own ‘negative voices’ has heightened my awareness of it’s existence in the children I meet in my classes. These voices are definitely not tolerated in my sessions. It has come known amongst those who have been taking my classes for awhile that in my dictionary, “there is not such thing as a FAIL.” Every Art piece has a value and serves a purpose.

A small sample of my filled blank pages.

Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun.
Mary Lou Cook

Inspired by Giants

As a birthday gift, my one of my first ‘Home Ed Creatives’ – my son whom I Home Educated till two years ago, bought me a ticket to have a day out in London! I took the opportunity to visit The Courtald & The National Gallery. It was my first visit to the former and whilst I had visited The National Gallery many times, this was the first time on my own; accompanied only by my sketch book.

I did some research online prior to my visit. Whilst one can turn up on the day itself, both places encourage booking a time slot for one’s visit to avoid queues or not being allowed in. So I went prepared with a plan of paintings I wanted to see.

As a female Creative I am always interested to know of other Women Artists. Majority of the children in my classes are girls, so I strive to highlight female Artists. The Courtald currently has an exhibit till 29th January on Helen Saunders – Modernist Rebel. Looking at a sample of her Art work and learning about her background was so inspiring. Circumstances (World War 1) and a variety of reasons led her to obscurity. There were so many aspects of her life and art work to take in at one go. Resisting the urge to just snap photographs, I stood and sketched some of her Art pieces. I hope to revisit the sketches and add some colour to them soon.

Portrait of a Woman (Around 1913) by Helen Saunders

Untitled (suggested title – ‘Female figures imprisoned’)

My first ‘port of call’ at the National Gallery was the special exhibit on Manet & Eva Gonzalès which has just ended. I had attended two Online Events related to this special exhibit. Having sketched and heard from various experts on various aspects connected to the painting of artist Eva Gonzales by Edouard Manet, I wanted to see it for myself. Being present to see the paint strokes, texture and appreciate the size of painting gave me a deeper appreciation of it.

My second port of call was literally two port of calls! There were two paintings by J M W Turner on the harbours of Dieppe and Cologne. It was a special Turner on Tour exhibit and no photography was permitted. I had the pleasure of sketching both pieces. Sketching them gave me a deeper appreciation of the details, noticing things I would have not otherwise seen.

Sketches from The Courtald & The National Gallery visit

I spent the rest of the enjoying the painting of various Impressionist Artists – Berthe Morisot, Vincent Van Gogh, Georges Seurat…. Various artists which I have looked at during virtual tours using the App Google Arts & Culture with Home Ed Creatives. Viewing it in person inspired me even further. It felt like I was standing on shoulders of Giants.

Helen Saunders – Vorticist Composition, Yellow & Green (formerly Gulliver in Lilliput)

Part of Georges Seurat’s Bathers at Asnières.

Connection & Creativity

Two years ago, a conversation with a friend sparked an idea in me about teaching Art Classes to children. It was a conversation with a friend who told me about how 7 year old daughter during one of those dreaded ‘Lockdown days’, decided to draw a Tea Cup – just like how I had taught her to. I recalled that ‘lesson’ with my friend’s daughter. It was at a Home Schooling Event with Home schoolers living in in different parts of Asia over a year ago. I happened to be painting when my friend’s daughter over. Curious, she too joined in and soon we were chatting about drawing tea cups. It was a precious moment connecting ‘over a cup of Tea’.

Two years on, I have a many memories of similar moments of ‘connection’ in the classes I have led. Some of these moments are spontaneous and unplanned. For example, yesterday, whilst kicking off our ‘Bear theme’, we did Pandas. I was soon informed that Pandas were not just found in China but also in Minecraft. These often makes me smile and quite often laughing over my ignorance. I love these moments. At the same time, I have come to value a different type of connection that takes place.

In preparation for my sessions, much thought is given over the children in my groups – their age, interest and ‘growth areas’ in their artistic journeys. One of the things I always include is looking at Creative pieces related to our topic – Paintings, Photographs, Illustrations, Videos, Social Media Pages by Creatives from around the world – past and present. The possibilities are tremendous through the tap of few buttons on the keyboard. It is amazing to think one is is able to do this without stepping out of the front door.

I will often select appropriate pieces to include in the session. Whether it’s ZOOMING into a painting or watching a Video clip about a famous Artist or looking at the Website of Contemporary Artist; there is something special about doing it together. It’s a moment of connection not just amongst ourselves but also with the Creative behind the Creative Content.

Johann Hari’s book Lost Connections along with his other book Stolen Focus has insightful perspectives on the need to reevaluate today’s lifestyle. We are beings that thrive on Connection. The creative media in all of it’s form is an invaluable platform for that. Whilst, I enjoy doing the research and incorporating it into a deliverable lesson; presenting it to the children in each group and engaging it with them – to me that is when creativity gets ignited. Listening to each other’s comments, allowing ourselves to be inspired and ultimately creating something in each other’s company; nurtures a creative spirit.

For the love of it

I am looking forward to commencing another set of 5 sessions next week. I love the research that goes into the preparation of the session; sharing about the theme/topic and creating a piece together. Each session is planned with the children in mind thought is given to thinking about what might interest the children in the group.

Three different Art Mediums – Procreate App, Gel Pens and Soft Pastels

I also enjoy exploring different Art mediums and sharing my discoveries about it. I am constantly learning. There are multitudes of Art supplies available along with a variety of brands. Being able to sketch is a skill, knowing how to use an Art medium is another. Coordinating one’s observation skill, imagination and applying those skills with a particular medium in one’s hand takes time. It’s a journey.

It’s fascinating to see what that journey is like to different Artists. For Vincent van Gogh, it was a journey which entailed quite an ‘inward journey’ of introspection as reflected in his letters to his brother Theo. His paintings are celebrated all over the world. I wonder what he would have thought of this. Theo van Gogh died shortly after. It was Theo’s wife, Johanna Van Gogh-Bonger who was instrumental in getting Vincent’s work popularised.

Eric Tucker is another artist who was unknown until after his death. Even his own family did not know much about the many paintings he did of everyday scenes, particularly of the Pub he frequented. I came across him in a fascinating article about him in The Guardian. He has been likened to another British painter renowned for his works on everyday life – L S Lowry. I would have loved to know what Tucker would have thought of this comparison. I suspect he might have just chuckled and carried on painting. It’s after all about enjoying the journey, not the desitination.