Blog Post #2, MAY 2023

I have been creative my whole life. I wrote ‘newspapers’ at age 10 for our vacation home neighbors. Did a puppet show with vegetables made into faces, as a child. I’ve embroidered, quilted, made clothes. I’ve done all kinds of art, mixed media art, encaustic art, just to name a few. Plus I am an avid gardener. Art is just a part of who I am. I take such joy in watching my granddaughters do art and expand their horizons. Our five year old granddaughter started making dresses out of collapsed balloons. She made her own Barbie dresses out of recycled products. When we go out on our property she finds things that she can incorporate into drawings, such as sticks, leaves and flowers. This is something that is not taught in elementary schools, I believe it is such an important tool. Not all kids thrive in the typical school curriculum. Art is something that gives kids the chance to explore and find out about themselves and what they are capable of. Art promotes a child’s desire to learn outside of the typical classroom structure. Unfortunately not all kids have access to art. Either working parents don’t have the time or the knowledge, or the interest of doing art with their kids, In this crazy world of ours, art helps kids that are stressed and unsure of the future. Art is a place they can turn to and escape. I believe art can change someone’s life and certainly bring joy to a child’s life.