Friday, December 18, 2015

The Joys of Art

I am celebrating my art club today. But first, thank you to the  co-hosts for this blog hop,  Lexa Cain @ Lexa Cain , L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The Edge , and Tonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog  You can go to any of these sites to get all the links and add your name to the links, too.

A word about my art club and why I am celebrating it. Well, it's on my mind, for one thing, because yesterday we had our last class until January 7th. And it's just a wonderful group of kids. They make my week!

I volunteer at a local community center one day a week and teach fine art to kids ages 7-14 after school. This year. though, a couple of 6-year-olds got in, and they are wonderful little artist--focused, attentive, and passionate about art. The class goes for an hour and a half, and all of the students use the time well.
During the course (November through mid-April, we use acrylics, watercolors, soft pastels, oil pastels, drawing pencils,  colored pencils, and charcoal. We cover landscape, portraiture, and still life,   work with Native American themes,  use bamboo brushes during Asian New Year, and we study artists like Turner, Van Gogh, Monet, Georgia O'Keefe, Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and William H. Johnson (a Harlem Renaissance artist). Here are some samples of their work so far this year:


El Día de los Muertos
More El Día de los Muertos


Plains Indian Themes
Landscapes Inspired by Monet and Van Gogh
Landscapes Inspired by Turner.                 
You can see why these young artists are so inspiring to teach. they really give it all they've got. 

I took pictures of yesterday's work in colored pencils (baby animals), but those are still in the camera.

Meanwhile, I hope you enjoy this little "gallery." 

I won't be posting until after New Year's Day. Until then, Best Wishes from our house to your house for a Blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year ahead.

















21 comments:

Kate Larkindale said...

What a talented bunch of kids!

Connie Keller said...

I'm so glad that you're able to teach art! So few children have the opportunity to experience learning about and creating art.

I hope you and yours have a blessed Christmas!

Tonja Drecker said...

What a wonderful collection of artwork! Enjoy your holidays.

Cathrina Constantine said...

How wonderful!!!! You're doing a great job, the painting are awesome, Elizabeth!!! Have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

Unknown said...

I'm so impressed with how much you're teaching them about tools/technique and art history. I loved art history in college. Maybe you're inspiring future artists and art critics! Have a lovely weekend! :)

writing and living by Richard P Hughes said...

Children are original naturally.

Suzanne Furness said...

What a lovely thing to celebrate.
Merry Christmas :)

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Kate, they really are. The kids that enroll already love art and their parents love art, so they are able to blossom, if you know what I mean.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Connie, that is one reason I teach this class. I'm a former classroom teacher, and I've seen what a difference art can make in a student's development, and now all the arts programs (including music) are being diminished in schools for the sake of test-taking skills. It's such a loss.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

thanks, T. It is a nice collection for me in my online photo albums. But the kids keep portfolios of their work, and then on the last class day, they take them home.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi Cathrina, best wishes for great holidays to you, too. Glad you like the art.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Richard, I so agree. These wonderful students bring this ability with them. They already have their own slant on things.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Suzanne.

Rosi said...

You do manage to get a very talented group each year. Lovely work. Have a wonderful holiday season.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Hi, Rosi,
Yes, I feel so lucky. They give me such a lift of heart each week. Just wonderful little artists and such sweet students.

Sandra Cox said...

That's great that you volunteer, Elizabeth. I know it means a lot to the kids. Your room and tree are beautiful.
Hope your holiday is the best ever.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks, Sandra. Best wishes for a great Christmas and a good year ahead.

cleemckenzie said...

I loved seeing the kid art! Really beautiful.

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks, Lee. They always amaze me with how far they can go with a lesson.

Doreen McGettigan said...

What amazing art! So inspiring!

Elizabeth Varadan, Author said...

Thanks, Doreen. I have to say, these kids are inspiring. They are so focused.