My studio is seeing activity the likes of which it has not seen for many years (and in fact it was another studio in another place far far away).... oil painting! I'm loving the luscious juicy painterliness of oils and having a great time ... here's how my studio looks...
.. and here is a bit of painty goodness for you to enjoy
I recently read Susan Striker (author of the 'Anti Colouring Book series)' 's book 'Young at Art', a book discussing early art experiences for toddlers and preschoolers. Striker advocates for allowing children to explore materials in a progressive way, rather than trying to force young children to engage in representation before they are ready e.g. providing pre-formed shapes, stencils etc. It has made me reflect upon the kind of activity I am doing with my children and to consider avoiding the kind of known outcome that can result from some projects.
With this in mind, when I bought some plain t-shirt for my little ones to make their mark on, I avoided providing stencils or shapes of any kind to use, and just provided them with some suitable fabric paint.
Boo was mostly interested in mixing the colours together, whilst Boo Two was mostly concerned with preventing me from taking his photograph. It is hard to let go of the desire for a 'good' outcome, but really that satisfies only the adults.
For the first time in about 6 years, I cracked open the oil paints and made a couple of eensy weensy little 'fine art' paintings (as opposed to the illustration work I've been doing the last few years). The paintings will be in this anonymous art show for North Vancouver Arts Council. Check it out, all paintings are selling off the wall for $100 a piece and half of the proceeds goes to funding really worthwhile community arts projects.
