Every child is an artist...

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once grown up”. Pablo Picasso.

Well said, Pablo!

I have decided that I can learn quite a lot from my little grandchildren regarding art. They all love to come into my studio. It has a baby gate across the door so that access is strictly when Gigi says they can come in. (Gigi is my given grandma name as the 4th grandchild couldn’t say Granny properly, so now the whole five have started calling me Gigi). Can you imagine the carnage if I let them in unsupervised? I mean, some of those tubes of paint cost $20 or $30 each!!

I have non-toxic water washable paints, cheap brushes, paper and recycled canvases for the occasions when my little prodigies want to make art.

They do not approach the canvas with “white fright,” white fright being the inability to start writing or drawing on a clean new page. As adult artists sometimes it is the scariest part. Knowing where to start and committing to dropping that paint on can make you freeze in terror of making a mistake.

Not so with a child. They are in boots and all from the get-go.

Then, because they have never heard of “the rules” they don’t have to worry about them. They just absorb themselves in the pure joy of making something. The colour delights their little souls and no matter how amateur the outcome, they are always proud and happy with what they have made.

After my kiddie sessions I always think…I really should lighten up sometimes and paint just for the joy of it and focus on the process of creation rather than perfection.

I would encourage anyone who thinks “I’d like to have a go, but I’m not good enough” to throw caution to the wind, buy some inexpensive paints and splash around. You may be surprised what it starts in your heart.

Here’s another quote to finish up with.

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” Albert Einstein.