Nurturing a child's artistic talents

My 'muse' is taking a snooze of late. I have many ideas yet to execute with paint. These ideas keep me awake at night with wheels spinning and not being able to rest. I pay for it the next day, but I'll soon get them out of my system and down on paper or canvas.

I have been thinking about the way children approach art and painting. They just do it - no fear of failure or criticism. Proportion, value, color, and design 'rules' are usually ignored, but that's not necessarily a bad thing! They put their feelings, meanings, thoughts into their work, and don't worry about making others happy. They do it to make themselves happy and to give themselves a creative outlet that's so important.

So, I encourage parents to do this: if you have a child that shows even the slightest inkling of interest in painting, buy them a set of cheap paints, a few inexpensive brushes, and a decent pad of watercolor paper (say, 9" x 12" size). Reeves makes an inexpensive brand of watercolor, acrylic, and oil paints in sets of 12 to 18 colors. Canson makes good, cheap (inexpensive) watercolor paper. These can be found in Micheal's or Hobby Lobby stores, along with inexpensive brushes.
Let your kids experiment and delight in applying paint to paper. Let them dream, create, invent, and expand their world via painting. It doesn't cost much in a monetary sense, yet it can have a profound impact on their sense of self. Be that catalyst to spark the artistic side of their lives, even if you think it might be a waste of time.

Who knows what might turn up?

Island Sunrise

8" x 10" oil on primed museum board

Another impasto oil done with knives. Lots of fun and enjoy working with color mixtures and textures. I'm ready to try this on a larger scale soon!

Flowers for a Winter Day

10" x 8" oil on canvas

Hopefully I'm pretty much back on track and can continue to post regularly. This is an impasto floral done entirely with various painting knives.

VACANCY

Hi.

Nope, I haven't disappeared. I'm making some 'adjustment' in my life at the present time, thus no new posts as of late.

Come back soon (end of February). More new stuff is being kicked around in the old noggin. I'll post it here as soon as it's put on canvas or paper!

Thanks for waiting.

DK 2/7

Harbor Town

18" x 24" oil on cardboard

A whimsical seaport scene. Thought I'd post some more oil paintings, since

I'd been posting watercolors lately.

Untitled

18" x 24" watercolor and gouache on 140lb. Canson CP

Here is an impressionist landscape done in the style of Cezanne.

A.M. Delivery

11" x 15" oil on poster board

A city-wide view of an early morning delivery truck.

Citrus Trio

9" x 12" watercolor on Arches 140lb. cold pressed

A quick still life done in the 'Charles Reid' style. Splattering is a lot

of fun!!

Foggy Morning

5" x 7" watercolor on paper in Moleskine sketchbook

I'm continuing on with these small studies while I move my studio to a new location. Here is an impressionistic view of an early morning sunrise through the fog.

Midnight Kitchen

5" x 7" watercolor on paper in Moleskine sketchbook

First for the new year. A late night visit to the kitchen produced this image in my memory. A happy 2008 to all.

At the Coast

5" x 7" watercolor on paper in Moleskine sketchbook

Here is a scene alone the dunes on an eastern coastline. The storm clouds overhead loomed as the rains began to fall.

Well, this will be my last entry for 2007. Since starting this blog in March, I've had over 2500 viewers. Thanks to all who stopped by. Come back for an even bigger 2008!

Cyclists' Portrait

5" x 7" watercolor on paper in Moleskine sketch book.

A somewhat abstract paining of some bike racers. Man, I need to work on my portrait skills! Ha, ha.

Across Lee's Bridge

5" x 7" watercolor on paper in Moleskine sketchbook

This is a view across a river and bridge to the hills beyond. I'm trying out a new tube of Winsor and Newton manganese blue. You can see this intense color in the tree shapes on the right hand side of the painting. This color has wonderful granulation properties. I'll enjoy experimenting with it!

Happy New Year Abstract

9" x 12" watercolor on 90lb. Acquarello paper

A little doodle for beginning 2008.

HNY everyone!!

Waterworks

12" x 9" watercolor on Fabriano paper

A kind of abstract look at a mountain-side waterfall.

North Rim

12" x 9" watercolor on watercolor canvas

Yet another for the 'Winter 2007' collection. I enjoy working

on this Fredrix watercolor canvas. Corrections are very easy in that even

the staining colors do not absorb into the canvas, so wiping out and painting

over is a snap.

Winter Wonderland

5" x 7" watercolor on paper in Moleskine sketchbook

More in the series of winter paintings.

Merry Christmas Tree

7" x 5" watercolor, gouache, and ink on paper

Season's Greetings and Happy New Year to all!!

3 Christmas Cards

5" x 7" watercolor on paper - Moleskine sketchbook.

A quicky, loose sketch of three cardinals with a "patch on patch" background.

This is something Frank Webb does with many of his fine backgrounds. The secret to pulling

it off successfully is keeping the 'patches' very close in value.

Happy Holidays, everyone!!

Untitled

22" x 30" watercolor on 140# cold pressed Arches

This is a full sheet abstract I've started for a friend. Will tweak as necessary to match the decor and wall color in her home. Stay tuned for the finished work.

11/30/07 - Update: My friend said she likes this one as is, so this is the way it will stay. I'm very happy she likes it!