INTRO

What is going on here? Find out on the video below!

Sketching is talked about in art classes and schools like it is the end-all-be-all. I really resisted it for a long time. But…it turns out to be not only important, but often the really fun part.

Sketching is the time when you don’t have to deliver the perfect performance. It is not exactly a rehearsal, as you might not even know what you will be doing. It is more  the dreaming and playing part. To me, it is the chance to get back to what it is like to be creative as a child. You just do it. And you CAN do it because your hopes and dreams ARE NOT dependent upon your creation. Whew- the freedom! How ironic that by letting go of creating “worthy” work, we can actually access that magical ability to just 1/2 will 1/2 watch something into being. By being really IN the imagination, an artist who sketches actually feels that they ARE their characters, or that their characters ARE real and just need you to help then get a form that others can see. Otherwise, in the non-sketch mode, it is easy to feel totally mechanical and disenchanted.

Do sketch and do use the morning! Thanks to the book The Artist’s Way!!!! For those of you who have read it, that practice of morning pages is how I got sketching again!

FOR THE CHILDREN –  A SPECIAL NOTE TO PARENTS, TEACHERS, BABYSITTERS ETC.

If you observe children and see how they engage with art and sort of space out- cherish this and let them know that  what they are doing is important. Even if the dog they drew looks like a log, if you saw them focus, praise it. They probably are seeing so much more in their picture anyway.

If they weren’t really engaged, well, then it is less vital and they know you shouldn’t be framing it up anytime soon. Don’t worry, they know….I know they know because I remember knowing!

Please pardon the few blurry ones as it was my first go with SlideShare.

“When I take care of things, they grow in a good way!” whispered StickFiggy to himself.

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Mother’s Day is coming up this Sunday! Let’s remember the ones who watered us with care and love when we were just tiny sprouts ourselves!

To use the above image as a free Mother’s Day card, forward the image in an email with your message. (Click and drag it to your desktop, then open use as an email attachement) or…better yet…

click here for a high-resolution version to send to  your color printer! Trim to size. Write your own message in the white space  like StickFiggy’s example!

StickFiggy's Example

A FURTHER GUIDE IN USING THIS WITH CHILDREN 3- and up.

If you are a pre-school teacher or an older sibling, or maybe a dad looking for some help, here are some ways to turn this into a great and memorable card from even your littlest Mom-fans.  To start, young children are often pretty good at expressing their love for a parent when prompted, but sometimes specific questions get the ball rolling. Here are some suggestions to find endearing things to thank her for:

“Does Mom take you to the park? What do you like doing there?

“What is your favorite snack that Mom makes?”

“Who is there for you when you get scared at night?”

“What did you do yesterday with Mom that was fun?”

“What do you think is really pretty about Mom?”

Include their favorite answer or two in the text. If they aren’t really writing yet, for sure ask them to draw in an extra little plant or two in the card for the final touch. You’ll have a winner for sure!

Thanks moms of the world and to my own very special one!

Jane and StickFiggy™