My son is super creative, but it probably doesn’t look that way to lots of people. He’s autistic and drawing/painting has been really challenging for him. But he loves music and makes up his own songs. And he’s very into building his “cool creations,” which can include lots of household things like straws and beads, plus toys that are made for building like gears. Sometimes he lines things up. Sometimes he uses materials in unexpected ways. If I was too hung up on what creativity is “supposed” to look like, I would miss it, but it’s really inspiring!
Mixed materials are so cool! I love that he's already experimenting with that. I didn't even think of that as a possibility until I was a teen and started visiting art museums.
Hey Heidi! Using materials in unexpected ways is the best! Your son sounds like he has loads of fun with creativity and it's awesome he has such a lovely support system! I imagine it's probably hard to not want to guide kids through art making, because parents are responsible for teaching them so much! You're doing great by letting him navigate his creativity with freedom!
This is timely! I’ve always been an artist but stopped practicing when I got my first “real” job. My daughter is now into drawing and I need to sit down and get back into it with her. This post gives me some ideas of how to bond with her over art!
I think your creative eye definitely shines through in your beautiful graphics! I've always admired that about your work. So glad this article served up some inspiration!
I loved art and drawing but it never impressed any art teachers, who seemed to be the gatekeepers to the art world. I failed out of fashion design school because of my lack of craftsmanship, and was more recently criticized to the point of tears (in a foreign language!) at a free, supposedly all level drawing class., so art to me is just for fun. My husband is a legit "talented" artist, and we like to wrap birthday presents together, drawing fun stuff for the birthday person on the paper. People loved to comment on his art versus mine, which I think is pretty lame, but I like my stuff and so do the recipients! Art snobs at my age are embarrassing.
Last weekend, I went to see Ayana V. Jackson's exhibit From the Deep: In the Wake of Drexciya at the African American Art Museum in DC and all I could think was how lucky we are to live in a world where people create and share art.
I create and present geography programs as my job and there is always an art component. My only real rules are to make sure adults don't get too involved, you aren't allowed to hoard all the shared supplies, and show respect. Anything else goes. We have the same rules at home with our three year old. Respect each other's art, respect your art, and remember no one can tell you your art isn't art.
Gosh, that is so sad to hear. It really stinks when people put their own insecurities out there and make others feel bad about their art. The only silver lining here is you've learned how to give yourself and your three year-old a safe space to create. Thank you so much for sharing and please feel free to reach out if you'd ever like to drop in a drawing session. They're for all ages and no art snobs allowed!
Wow I’m so angry on your behalf. I can’t believe someone can gate keep art like that! I so admire how such condescension hasn’t affected your desire to continue to make art on your own terms. I love your rules and I’m going to implement the same in my home!
I love this message!!! I was encouraged to create as a child, up to a point…like creating is only for childhood and you must grow out of it. I always knew this framing was wrong but still didn’t think it applied to me. It took growing up and reading the artists way to realize that I’m creative. We all are 🤍
I LOVE The Artist's Way! I'm so glad you found your way back to creating and are spreading the word. 🌻 Stories like yours always put a smile on my face.
Wasn’t really into art but my siblings were but was discouraged as ‘wasn’t really a well paid job’ my kid is into manga/anime so have a lot of supplies and art books around that but in his room only. 🤔I’ve recently bought a guided doodle journal for me. Step in the right direction me thinks
I loved art and did it regularly right up until I went to art school. I stopped enjoying it at university and because I ended up working so much I ended up too mentally tired to pick it back up after I graduated. I dabbled in other creative pursuits instead (knitting, sewing, embroidery etc) but it's only been since my children were born that I've started to get back into drawing/painting more again. My kids absolutely love mark making and my oldest is always cutting out parts of his drawings. I love their creativity but sometimes I do find the constant bits of paper on the floor a trial!
There’s nothing like kids to reconnect you with the things you used to enjoy that somehow get lost in the business of adulting! So glad you are rediscovering it. ❤️
P.S. yes the paper overflow can become overwhelming 😬
Thank you so much for interviewing me, Sri! I love this topic and can't wait to share with my readers tomorrow. There's so much magic energy in kids' art and it's so important to keep it fun for them!
I have been a doodler my whole life. My mother was the same, there were always little paper scraps with drawings all over the house. At some point I stopped doodling but lately I find myself doing it again. I think it how goes hand in hand with writing regularly.
One of my kids is a super arty/crafter-he wakes up and that's the first thing he wants to do. He finds materials everywhere, I mean everywhere--some things others would deem as trash but he sees them as art materials. Sometimes it is frustrating because he wants to keep all his materials for future inspiration but we love this about him, too of course.
My mom was a doodler too! Back when landlines were a thing, she used to doodle while she was on the phone and I would love just standing there and watching what would fall out of her pen. And, I totally understand the frustrations of not being able to recycle some of the art haha! 😅
Thank you! I love these- they are on our list now for sure. My little guy (6) is very into making art once I get it going but it's still not something he often does on his own. He used to be content with just playing with colors but now he wants it "look" like what he's imagining. We have been having a lot of fun moving through some of Ed Emberly's drawing books- they do a really good job of helping him simplify things into shapes he can handle.
It's fun to see them start to stretch themselves creatively! I used to love my old drawing books too; I'm so glad he's found a way to help his vision become a reality.
One my favorite kids' books about art (and life) is Ish by Peter Reynolds. A beautiful antidote to perfectionism.
Ish is a favorite and I really debated including it here!
My son is super creative, but it probably doesn’t look that way to lots of people. He’s autistic and drawing/painting has been really challenging for him. But he loves music and makes up his own songs. And he’s very into building his “cool creations,” which can include lots of household things like straws and beads, plus toys that are made for building like gears. Sometimes he lines things up. Sometimes he uses materials in unexpected ways. If I was too hung up on what creativity is “supposed” to look like, I would miss it, but it’s really inspiring!
Mixed materials are so cool! I love that he's already experimenting with that. I didn't even think of that as a possibility until I was a teen and started visiting art museums.
Hey Heidi! Using materials in unexpected ways is the best! Your son sounds like he has loads of fun with creativity and it's awesome he has such a lovely support system! I imagine it's probably hard to not want to guide kids through art making, because parents are responsible for teaching them so much! You're doing great by letting him navigate his creativity with freedom!
This is timely! I’ve always been an artist but stopped practicing when I got my first “real” job. My daughter is now into drawing and I need to sit down and get back into it with her. This post gives me some ideas of how to bond with her over art!
Yay! Have fun and feel free to DM me if you two ever want to drop in a session and draw with us! ☀️
I think your creative eye definitely shines through in your beautiful graphics! I've always admired that about your work. So glad this article served up some inspiration!
I loved art and drawing but it never impressed any art teachers, who seemed to be the gatekeepers to the art world. I failed out of fashion design school because of my lack of craftsmanship, and was more recently criticized to the point of tears (in a foreign language!) at a free, supposedly all level drawing class., so art to me is just for fun. My husband is a legit "talented" artist, and we like to wrap birthday presents together, drawing fun stuff for the birthday person on the paper. People loved to comment on his art versus mine, which I think is pretty lame, but I like my stuff and so do the recipients! Art snobs at my age are embarrassing.
Last weekend, I went to see Ayana V. Jackson's exhibit From the Deep: In the Wake of Drexciya at the African American Art Museum in DC and all I could think was how lucky we are to live in a world where people create and share art.
I create and present geography programs as my job and there is always an art component. My only real rules are to make sure adults don't get too involved, you aren't allowed to hoard all the shared supplies, and show respect. Anything else goes. We have the same rules at home with our three year old. Respect each other's art, respect your art, and remember no one can tell you your art isn't art.
Gosh, that is so sad to hear. It really stinks when people put their own insecurities out there and make others feel bad about their art. The only silver lining here is you've learned how to give yourself and your three year-old a safe space to create. Thank you so much for sharing and please feel free to reach out if you'd ever like to drop in a drawing session. They're for all ages and no art snobs allowed!
Wow I’m so angry on your behalf. I can’t believe someone can gate keep art like that! I so admire how such condescension hasn’t affected your desire to continue to make art on your own terms. I love your rules and I’m going to implement the same in my home!
I love this message!!! I was encouraged to create as a child, up to a point…like creating is only for childhood and you must grow out of it. I always knew this framing was wrong but still didn’t think it applied to me. It took growing up and reading the artists way to realize that I’m creative. We all are 🤍
Caroline, I love this and I’m so thrilled you rediscovered your creative side! And yes, WE ARE ALL CREATIVES ❤️
I LOVE The Artist's Way! I'm so glad you found your way back to creating and are spreading the word. 🌻 Stories like yours always put a smile on my face.
Love this interview!! 💖💖💖🙌
Thank you!
Thank you, Jane! I'm a fan of your work! 💞
🥰🥰🥰 Thank you, Beth!! You totally just made my day! 💕
I really enjoyed this post Beth. I can see my Nico to start losing his confidence and struggling with comparisons. I hope never stops drawing ⭐️
I’m so glad you enjoyed this article! I hope Beth’s tips and these children’s books keep your Nico encouraged.
Thank you Sri, that was a great interview with Beth
Thank you so much, Charlotte!
Wasn’t really into art but my siblings were but was discouraged as ‘wasn’t really a well paid job’ my kid is into manga/anime so have a lot of supplies and art books around that but in his room only. 🤔I’ve recently bought a guided doodle journal for me. Step in the right direction me thinks
That’s wonderful! I’m so excited for your doodling journal and that’s is the first step in reconnecting you with your art!
I loved art and did it regularly right up until I went to art school. I stopped enjoying it at university and because I ended up working so much I ended up too mentally tired to pick it back up after I graduated. I dabbled in other creative pursuits instead (knitting, sewing, embroidery etc) but it's only been since my children were born that I've started to get back into drawing/painting more again. My kids absolutely love mark making and my oldest is always cutting out parts of his drawings. I love their creativity but sometimes I do find the constant bits of paper on the floor a trial!
There’s nothing like kids to reconnect you with the things you used to enjoy that somehow get lost in the business of adulting! So glad you are rediscovering it. ❤️
P.S. yes the paper overflow can become overwhelming 😬
These tips are great and can be applied by adults, too!
I’ve found the more I right about children and children’s books the more I understand that these lessons apply to everyone of all ages!
Beth! 2 other great books for you. The Dot by Peter H Reynolds and The Artist by Ed Vere xxx
Love both of those!!! Thank you for sharing 🙏
Thank you so much for interviewing me, Sri! I love this topic and can't wait to share with my readers tomorrow. There's so much magic energy in kids' art and it's so important to keep it fun for them!
Beth, it was such a joy picking your brain! Thank you for sharing your experience with this community. ❤️
I have been a doodler my whole life. My mother was the same, there were always little paper scraps with drawings all over the house. At some point I stopped doodling but lately I find myself doing it again. I think it how goes hand in hand with writing regularly.
One of my kids is a super arty/crafter-he wakes up and that's the first thing he wants to do. He finds materials everywhere, I mean everywhere--some things others would deem as trash but he sees them as art materials. Sometimes it is frustrating because he wants to keep all his materials for future inspiration but we love this about him, too of course.
My mom was a doodler too! Back when landlines were a thing, she used to doodle while she was on the phone and I would love just standing there and watching what would fall out of her pen. And, I totally understand the frustrations of not being able to recycle some of the art haha! 😅
Yes, at the phone! The post its by the phone were often her canvas.
Thank you! I love these- they are on our list now for sure. My little guy (6) is very into making art once I get it going but it's still not something he often does on his own. He used to be content with just playing with colors but now he wants it "look" like what he's imagining. We have been having a lot of fun moving through some of Ed Emberly's drawing books- they do a really good job of helping him simplify things into shapes he can handle.
It's fun to see them start to stretch themselves creatively! I used to love my old drawing books too; I'm so glad he's found a way to help his vision become a reality.