I do not want to borrow wholesale the words of Marvin Bartel and I could not write them any better. I am so inspired by his experience as an attentive art educator who has obvious concern for the creative spark in the children he teaches and articulation of that care and experience in this list of Creativity Killers. I would like to share them and put them here so I can keep referring to them myself as I teach my own children and possibly others in future.
http://www.goshen.edu/art/ed/creativitykillers.html
Showing posts with label love of learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label love of learning. Show all posts
Monday, 11 March 2013
Saturday, 9 March 2013
Why Picture Books Matter
"The first art that children see is in picture books. That’s a big
responsibility for the illustrator. Leonard Marcus showcases a group of
artists who recognize that responsibility and respond with work that
challenges and inspires kids’ burgeoning visual literacy. In 21
captivating and intimate interviews, Show Me A Story offers an
in-depth look at the passion and vision that these amazing artists bring
to their work. No two are alike, except in their remarkable levels of
creativity. Their books leave kids amazed and moved. They leave their
imaginations energized. And quite often they leave the kids giggling
maniacally on the floor." - David Wiesner, Introduction to Show Me a Story: Why Picture Books Matter: Conversations with 21 of the World’s Most Celebrated Illustrators, edited by Leonard Marcus
Sometimes I like to randomly research authors and illustrators of my favorite picture books, partly because I love the books and partly for my own development and aspirations to be a published children's picture book author and illustrator. I found this great excerpt at David Wiesner's website.
As a mechanism for drawing children into the world of art picture books are unsurpassed, it is focused on them, dedicated to them and their dreams, desires, innocence and sense of humour.
Here are some of my favourite picture books and illustrators, unsurprisingly they are also some of the books I recommend for teaching art the children.
The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base
This book is filled with great rhyming sentences that have a really nice flowing and musical habit and complement the magnificent ornate and decadent atmosphere of Horace the elephant's eleventh birthday. Any Graeme Base book will fascinate a child's imagination with its spectacular imagery. Animalia was a book that I would spend so much time immersed in the intricate artwork.
Flotsam by David Wiesner. A magical adventure for a child to explore with you or by themselves, Flotsam is particularly wonderful because David Wiesner has left the reader to create their own narrative for his magnificent artwork. Like a chain letter the images on the camera convince the finder to perpetuate the adventure by sending the camera back out to sea again to bring its delights to the next person who finds it. The images are from the latest underwater travels of an old underwater camera making its way from child to child, generation after generation, out to sea and shore again.
Gorillas by Anthony Browne. Gorillas, like any Anthony Browne book, is filled with beautiful illustrations and in the case of at least this book and 'Me and You' have more to them that your average sweet and happy tale to treat a child to at book time. Gorillas is a book about a girl fanatical about gorillas and in desperate need of time with a work focused, constantly busy or tired father. Hanna is taken on a very special adventure to the zoo to see a real gorilla, which despite her obvious obsession with them, her father had never found the time to take her to see at their local zoo. Real or dream, her sleep time adventure is like an omen to a brand new day.
The Lost Thing by Shaun Tan. Anything Shaun Tan is absolutely beautiful and magical food for your imagination. The Lost Thing is the story of a wondrous creature found wandering the streets by a boy who was out collecting bottle tops. The boy tries to find where it belongs and discoveries a whole world of strange and unusual things living off to the side or the rest of the world. This has been made into a beautiful animation. Love Shaun Tan, love, love, love.
The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek by Jenny Wagner, illustrated by Ron Brooks. This is such a gorgeous book, lovely story that is fun to read aloud. The wonderful pictures in this book are done with cross hatching and look like etchings. This book follows the Bunyip from his inception through his journey of self discovery and final acceptance of self and self satisfaction. "What am I, what am I" He asks himself and others, trying to learn about himself through any creature who would answer him. Never very happy with the answers he keeps searching and finally settles by another billabong with his hopes and a mirror to enjoy being the beautiful creature he decides he is. This book is sweet and funny and a frequent read for us. An Australian Children's classic.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. Another classic and also another illustrator that uses cross hatching to give shadow and depth to his illustrations. Sadly I have not read another Sendak book but even with that said I cannot exclude him from this list and doubt there is a list about great picture books like this without him. His illustrations are spectacular and have everything needed to really inspire a child's imagination. I always remembered this book and these illustrations but like the 60 frames a second that fool the human eye, a really wonderful illustration doesn't need to be super realistic or photographic to have a massive impact and create an image in a child's mind that is spectacularly real to them.
Norris. The Bear Who Shared by Catherine Rayner. Norris, the Bear Who Shared is the adorable tale of a wise and kind bear, a raccoon, a mouse and a juicy, ripe, soft as fairy floss, delicious, sun kissed plorringe. When my son first saw the pears out the front of the NGA we played hide and seek around them and he has since then called them the plorringes. Catherine Rayner uses a gentle and effective technique that includes silk screen printing, pencil and ink or water colour. Her clean and beautiful brush strokes give body to her illustrations , reminiscent of brush strokes in Japanese calligraphy, with the minimal pencil lines still visible beneath them. I love her style and the beautiful and kind faces of her animal characters.
The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth. Based on the story of the same name written by Russian author Leo Tolstoy, Jon J. Muth creates an accessible story about a boy who wants to know the answer to the three questions he thinks will make him a better person. His illustrations are very realistic but also use the beauty of the way ink and water seep into an move over paper, illustrated perfectly in the included image. In this book, and in the Zen Shorts series, he gives a great set of books to introduce children to more eastern concepts of morality and wisdom.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. We have the Peter Rabbit's Giant Story Book and my four year old son loves reading it. It always reads a little strangely but it is wonderful and silly. Like Alice in Wonderland but bearable ("Oh Diner, I don't think I can take another over stated notification of how outstanding in its unfathomable curiosity something is. Gloves on a rabbit!" Please.), Beatrix Potters stories always elicit a very funny voice from my partner as he reads the over the top language in 'The Tale of Mrs Tittlemouse'. Some of the stories are a bit brutal but the illustrations are always gorgeous.
To be continued...
Sometimes I like to randomly research authors and illustrators of my favorite picture books, partly because I love the books and partly for my own development and aspirations to be a published children's picture book author and illustrator. I found this great excerpt at David Wiesner's website.
As a mechanism for drawing children into the world of art picture books are unsurpassed, it is focused on them, dedicated to them and their dreams, desires, innocence and sense of humour.
Here are some of my favourite picture books and illustrators, unsurprisingly they are also some of the books I recommend for teaching art the children.
The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base
This book is filled with great rhyming sentences that have a really nice flowing and musical habit and complement the magnificent ornate and decadent atmosphere of Horace the elephant's eleventh birthday. Any Graeme Base book will fascinate a child's imagination with its spectacular imagery. Animalia was a book that I would spend so much time immersed in the intricate artwork.
 |
| This image always makes me think of John Brack's paintings. |
Gorillas by Anthony Browne. Gorillas, like any Anthony Browne book, is filled with beautiful illustrations and in the case of at least this book and 'Me and You' have more to them that your average sweet and happy tale to treat a child to at book time. Gorillas is a book about a girl fanatical about gorillas and in desperate need of time with a work focused, constantly busy or tired father. Hanna is taken on a very special adventure to the zoo to see a real gorilla, which despite her obvious obsession with them, her father had never found the time to take her to see at their local zoo. Real or dream, her sleep time adventure is like an omen to a brand new day.
The Bunyip of Berkeley's Creek by Jenny Wagner, illustrated by Ron Brooks. This is such a gorgeous book, lovely story that is fun to read aloud. The wonderful pictures in this book are done with cross hatching and look like etchings. This book follows the Bunyip from his inception through his journey of self discovery and final acceptance of self and self satisfaction. "What am I, what am I" He asks himself and others, trying to learn about himself through any creature who would answer him. Never very happy with the answers he keeps searching and finally settles by another billabong with his hopes and a mirror to enjoy being the beautiful creature he decides he is. This book is sweet and funny and a frequent read for us. An Australian Children's classic.
Norris. The Bear Who Shared by Catherine Rayner. Norris, the Bear Who Shared is the adorable tale of a wise and kind bear, a raccoon, a mouse and a juicy, ripe, soft as fairy floss, delicious, sun kissed plorringe. When my son first saw the pears out the front of the NGA we played hide and seek around them and he has since then called them the plorringes. Catherine Rayner uses a gentle and effective technique that includes silk screen printing, pencil and ink or water colour. Her clean and beautiful brush strokes give body to her illustrations , reminiscent of brush strokes in Japanese calligraphy, with the minimal pencil lines still visible beneath them. I love her style and the beautiful and kind faces of her animal characters.
The Three Questions by Jon J. Muth. Based on the story of the same name written by Russian author Leo Tolstoy, Jon J. Muth creates an accessible story about a boy who wants to know the answer to the three questions he thinks will make him a better person. His illustrations are very realistic but also use the beauty of the way ink and water seep into an move over paper, illustrated perfectly in the included image. In this book, and in the Zen Shorts series, he gives a great set of books to introduce children to more eastern concepts of morality and wisdom.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter. We have the Peter Rabbit's Giant Story Book and my four year old son loves reading it. It always reads a little strangely but it is wonderful and silly. Like Alice in Wonderland but bearable ("Oh Diner, I don't think I can take another over stated notification of how outstanding in its unfathomable curiosity something is. Gloves on a rabbit!" Please.), Beatrix Potters stories always elicit a very funny voice from my partner as he reads the over the top language in 'The Tale of Mrs Tittlemouse'. Some of the stories are a bit brutal but the illustrations are always gorgeous.
To be continued...
Monday, 4 March 2013
Books that Help with Bullying
Captain Yellowbelly is a bit of a pushover who is taken advantage of by the other meaner, tougher and generally more pirate like pirates until one very bad day he has just had enough.
Here's hoping for one less bully and one less victim.
Saturday, 6 October 2012
Impressionism Lesson Plan
I have started my student lead journey into the world of teaching art to children. Armed with a theoretical introduction, reading through Drawing with Children by Mona Brooks and Drawings of People by the Under 5's, and my own experiences as a Mum I have recently begun taking art classes at the Miniature Railway. At the moment these classes are a dollar coin donation to help cover expenses and only open by invitation. It is something I want to do for my own children and for the enjoyment I gain through introducing art into the world of children. Photo care of My Photos and Things.
The following outlines the lesson on introducing impressionism. It is spring here so the focus is on gardens and flowers in impressionism.
Materials:
1. Acrylics
2. lead pencil
3. paper
Concepts:
Impressionism marked a move away from trying to make objects look like they do in real life. Instead it gave the feeling of a moment in time by relaying the impression of an object or a scene through the eyes of the artist. This is great for children, who are already overcoming a sense of their own capabilities in relation to the world around them. Art like this can be easier for a child who has unlimited capacity for free brush strokes and uninhibited expression.
Books:
Olivia by Ian Falconer. This book contains several styles of art including the work of Degas.
Artists:
Claude Monet
The first painter who exhibited works with a free style not trying to look like a photograph of the subject was Monet. His works elicited a response from critics that sound like censors today criticising heavy metal music.
And this the collection of botched-up things being exhibited to the public without any thought of the fatal consequences they may entail. Yesterday in the Rue de Peletier an unfortunate man was arrested because on coming out of the exhibition he had started to bite passers-by. – Albert Wolff, review of the second Impressionist exhibition, Le Figaro, 1876.
Vincent VanGough
Possibly one of the most famous impressionists, Van Gough was wracked by self criticism and madness but produced some of the most emotional works. Whoever was lucky enough to visit the Masterpieces from Paris exhibition would have seen the vivid colours in Starry Night that you just cannot appreciate through replications and photographs.
Degas
Although there is a focus on spring and impressionists work depicting flowers and garden scenes, Degas will be getting thrown in the mix via the book for today, 'Olivia'.
Gustav Klimt (not famous for his impressionism but still producing around the same time he had some pieces influenced by impressionism and pointillism.)
Lesson Printout:
Building on the ability to copy elements of an image and utilise the "alphabet" of shapes to visually articulate an object with simple shape language: circles, angles, curved and straight lines.
Inspiration:
The following outlines the lesson on introducing impressionism. It is spring here so the focus is on gardens and flowers in impressionism.
Materials:
1. Acrylics
2. lead pencil
3. paper
Concepts:
Impressionism marked a move away from trying to make objects look like they do in real life. Instead it gave the feeling of a moment in time by relaying the impression of an object or a scene through the eyes of the artist. This is great for children, who are already overcoming a sense of their own capabilities in relation to the world around them. Art like this can be easier for a child who has unlimited capacity for free brush strokes and uninhibited expression.
Books:
Olivia by Ian Falconer. This book contains several styles of art including the work of Degas.
The first painter who exhibited works with a free style not trying to look like a photograph of the subject was Monet. His works elicited a response from critics that sound like censors today criticising heavy metal music.
And this the collection of botched-up things being exhibited to the public without any thought of the fatal consequences they may entail. Yesterday in the Rue de Peletier an unfortunate man was arrested because on coming out of the exhibition he had started to bite passers-by. – Albert Wolff, review of the second Impressionist exhibition, Le Figaro, 1876.
Vincent VanGough
Possibly one of the most famous impressionists, Van Gough was wracked by self criticism and madness but produced some of the most emotional works. Whoever was lucky enough to visit the Masterpieces from Paris exhibition would have seen the vivid colours in Starry Night that you just cannot appreciate through replications and photographs.
Degas
Although there is a focus on spring and impressionists work depicting flowers and garden scenes, Degas will be getting thrown in the mix via the book for today, 'Olivia'.
Gustav Klimt (not famous for his impressionism but still producing around the same time he had some pieces influenced by impressionism and pointillism.)
Lesson Printout:
Building on the ability to copy elements of an image and utilise the "alphabet" of shapes to visually articulate an object with simple shape language: circles, angles, curved and straight lines.
Van Gough still life oil painting - Vase with 15 Sun Flowers. Every young artist will experience reproducing the work of a famous artists, whether walking through a gallery or flicking through one of the many art history books they will be exposed to over the course of their study. This is a crude replica of this great artists work aimed at creating a template for very young artists to play purely with colour, the vibrant and warm colours of spring: orange, red, yellow, white and green.
Saturday, 21 April 2012
Story time
One thing I have always done with my children and have always loved myself is reading. When I was a little girl I remember my special gift always being a new little book. I remember sitting by myself before I could read and leafing through a pile of picture books with Morty mouse who reminded me of the adorable geckos I would watch on the windows of our house in Malaysia.
There are so many books I have enjoyed with my children and for my first born, who was a terrible sleeper, we would sit together and read Terry Pratchett as part of our seemingly never ending bedtime routine.
There are a number of children's authors and illustrators that I love to read and have bought as many of their books as I can.
Here are some of the books that I have had a great time reading with my little ones, some for their beautiful illustrations, some for their fantastic rhythm and rhyme and some for the beauty or poignancy of the story.
Flotsam - David Wiesner
This is a magical journey to share with your child. Mine are one and three years old and still happier to hear me make up the words to accompany these beautiful images and wonderful story but I have noticed more and more my son asking me to make up a story to go with what lives in that house and has been trying to himself. This is bookshelf treasure.
Hairy Maclary - Lynley Dodd
The Tale of Despereaux - Kate DiCamillo
This story is bitter sweet. A pleasure to read, magnificent illustrations by Timothy Basil Ering and a lovely voice throughout. The characters are human, not always literally, and I will definitely read this again once my children are old enough to grasp the concepts but not too young to be frightened by some of the darker imagery and content in this lovely book. I went on to buy The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane but am yet to finish this book as there were too many tears to read aloud.
Frog Belly Rat Bone - Timothy Basil Ering
Great book about a boy who wants to find treasure, a monster he creates, some stealthy thieves, and the wonder of life within a small, dry, insignificant looking seed. This is a book crying out to be followed up with some gardening. I am yet to put together my only little treasure box filled with colourful seed packets but this is on my list of things to do with the little people in my life. There are many books I pick up as a consequence of there being something special about the illustrations and this is one of them. Frog Belly Rat Bone is packed with full page, unique paintings.
Monkey and Me - Emily Gravett
This book has fantastic rhythm that almost feels like your singing a very percussive song. Gorgeous illustrations with beautiful freehand pencil drawings. The simplicity of colour and rhythm in this book will make it a favourite.
Again - Emily Gravett
Another wonderful book, written and illustrated by Emily Gravett. There are two stories in Emily Gravett's books, the written and the visual. If your child can sit down and follow the images it begins when you look on the inside cover as you watch the young dragon getting ready for bed and ends with an over tired outburst by an increasingly irritated dragon who's mother has hit the wall before him, the ending to so many bedtime routines. This is a book you and your child will read again and again. Again?
Where's my Cow - Terry Pratchett
Whether you are a Pratchett fan or not, whether you have read and thoroughly enjoyed Thud or have never even heard of Disc world, this is a great book to read with your little one and has led on to games with my own children. The game of the book as you read through making the noises of the animals you find who are not your cow will entertain you and your little person over and over again. This is the favourite book of the fictional one year old in the story and was for my one year old also.
There are so many books I have enjoyed with my children and for my first born, who was a terrible sleeper, we would sit together and read Terry Pratchett as part of our seemingly never ending bedtime routine.
There are a number of children's authors and illustrators that I love to read and have bought as many of their books as I can.
- Emily Gravett
- Lynley Dodd
- Oliver Jeffers
- Julia Donaldson
- Anthony Browne
- Graeme Base
- Sara Acton
- Anna Walker
Here are some of the books that I have had a great time reading with my little ones, some for their beautiful illustrations, some for their fantastic rhythm and rhyme and some for the beauty or poignancy of the story.
This is a magical journey to share with your child. Mine are one and three years old and still happier to hear me make up the words to accompany these beautiful images and wonderful story but I have noticed more and more my son asking me to make up a story to go with what lives in that house and has been trying to himself. This is bookshelf treasure.
Hairy Maclary - Lynley Dodd
- Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy
- Slinky Malinky Open the Door
- Slinky Malinky Scatter Cat
- Hairy Maclary's Bone
- A Dragon in a Wagon
- Hairy Maclary Shoo
- Schnitzel Von Krumm Forget me Not
- Hair Maclary's Catwaul Caper
- Hairy Maclary and Zachary Quack
The Tale of Despereaux - Kate DiCamillo
This story is bitter sweet. A pleasure to read, magnificent illustrations by Timothy Basil Ering and a lovely voice throughout. The characters are human, not always literally, and I will definitely read this again once my children are old enough to grasp the concepts but not too young to be frightened by some of the darker imagery and content in this lovely book. I went on to buy The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane but am yet to finish this book as there were too many tears to read aloud.
Frog Belly Rat Bone - Timothy Basil Ering
Great book about a boy who wants to find treasure, a monster he creates, some stealthy thieves, and the wonder of life within a small, dry, insignificant looking seed. This is a book crying out to be followed up with some gardening. I am yet to put together my only little treasure box filled with colourful seed packets but this is on my list of things to do with the little people in my life. There are many books I pick up as a consequence of there being something special about the illustrations and this is one of them. Frog Belly Rat Bone is packed with full page, unique paintings.
Monkey and Me - Emily Gravett
This book has fantastic rhythm that almost feels like your singing a very percussive song. Gorgeous illustrations with beautiful freehand pencil drawings. The simplicity of colour and rhythm in this book will make it a favourite.
Again - Emily Gravett
Another wonderful book, written and illustrated by Emily Gravett. There are two stories in Emily Gravett's books, the written and the visual. If your child can sit down and follow the images it begins when you look on the inside cover as you watch the young dragon getting ready for bed and ends with an over tired outburst by an increasingly irritated dragon who's mother has hit the wall before him, the ending to so many bedtime routines. This is a book you and your child will read again and again. Again?
Whether you are a Pratchett fan or not, whether you have read and thoroughly enjoyed Thud or have never even heard of Disc world, this is a great book to read with your little one and has led on to games with my own children. The game of the book as you read through making the noises of the animals you find who are not your cow will entertain you and your little person over and over again. This is the favourite book of the fictional one year old in the story and was for my one year old also.
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