Blog

I like to observe people. An artist in the schools gets ample opportunity. It is interesting to see the future adult in the child. A fifth grader comes over and places his arm around my neck. “So Ms. Donohoe," he says, “what are we doing in art today?” I can see this self-possessed young man as our representative in Sacramento someday. A very sensitive second grader puts the finishing touches on his exquisite painting of a deer using complementary colors. The other kids have gone out to recess a good five minutes ago, but Santiago is an artist at work. In the kindergarten class we are using paint! Lookout!! We are painting flowers because spring is just around the corner, and on the floor, the hands and the face!

Over the course of the last 4 or 5 months I have been presenting students from kindergarten through 5^th grade with projects that introduce and reinforce the basic elements and principles of art. My main hope is that it encourages original design, stimulates creativity, fosters curiosity and problem solving, and that they have a wonderful time. I want to turn kids onto art, and I want it to be unassisted by technology. They get plenty of exposure to screens already. I think there is nothing like getting your hands in paint, or clay and making something. Here are a few of the projects we have done so far this year.

                                                                           negative shape hummingbird drawing with markers

     deer painting using complementary colors mixed by the kids

repousse (tooled foil ) and flower painting

painted tiles

Teaching these classes gives me more than a paycheck. It recharges my battery. Young children don't have the inhibitions of adults. "So you want to make the sky polka dot and the grass purple. Sure, why not?" 

I am glad for this opportunity to mingle with the kids and really see them through their art. I am also glad that I am an artist and can go back to my studio and paint. Sometimes something that I observe in the classroom helps me over an unresolved issue in my work. The kids are great as are the teachers for whom I have the utmost respect. They do a wonderful job and often with limited resources. It is wonderful that the teachers give their classes over to me once a week. I like to think they enjoy it too, although I usually put them to work passing out or actually helping facilitate certain projects that need two or more adults. I am grateful that they give me this trust.