Supporting Young Artists


Book Description

Young children love all kinds of art, and this book will help you make the most of these natural learning opportunities! It highlights the underlying principles derived from theory, research, and practice and presents the developmental stages in early art-based learning. The authors-both experienced artists and educators-also offer lots of practical information. Learn how to provide appropriate space and materials, plan art-based experiences, and use the language of art to engage with children in a supportive way. Covers drawing and painting, found and recycled materials, paper, and the plastic arts (dough and clay) from the perspectives of enrichment, production, and reflection. An essential handbook for early childhood practitioners in classrooms, centers, and homes as well as university students and professors.




Advice to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era


Book Description

Is art a matter of inspiration or of learning? Advice to Young Artists in a Postmodern Era, offers practical advice to the young artist about making the successful Dunning writes that in his years of teaching, he has heard students ask why no classes are ever offered to teach them what ingredients are helpful to the success of an artist: how to approach and deal with galleries and dealers; what to do about setting up their own studio and how to light it; and even how they should support themselves while they are attempting to do all this. Drawing on thirty-five years of experience as an artist and an art teacher, and those of several successful colleagues, the author follows the model of Rilke's Letters to a Young Poet and Hiram William's Notes for a Young Painter to compose this practical guide book. Advice to Young Artists is the only book of its kind geared to aspiring artists.







Inspiring Young Artists


Book Description

What could be more exciting, relevant or important than teaching art in the 21st century?Whether you are an experienced art teacher looking for some fresh ideas, or just starting out and need some backup, Inspiring Young Artists outlines a rigorous approach to a high school visual art curriculum centered on issues from contemporary art. With sample assignments and supporting resources, these projects address a wide range of topics to engage students in authentic artistic thinking. Multi-week and theme-based, the projects form an entire course modifiable for ninth through twelfth graders but are also flexible enough in their design to be used individually to supplement any existing curriculum. The eight projects contain over 100 links to online supporting resources. Starting with "hooks" to create interest, they also provide context for students by introducing relevant art history, build artistic skills and experimentation through project development, maximize creative problem solving during studio production, and encourage metacognition of concepts and processes with reflection questions. Suggested timelines and teacher notes from the author's experience using these projects in the classroom provide guidance. Aligned with the National Art Education Association's Common Core Standards and Project Zero's 8 Studio Habits of Mind, each project outline contains Enduring Understandings, Essential Questions, Objectives, and Learning Targets.




Letters to a Young Artist


Book Description

An inspiring and no-nonsense guide for aspiring artists of all stripes—from “the most exciting individual in American theater” (Newsweek). In vividly anecdotal letters to the young BZ, Anna Deavere Smith addresses the full spectrum of issues that all artists starting out will face: from questions of confidence, discipline, and self-esteem, to fame, failure, and fear, to staying healthy, presenting yourself effectively, building a diverse social and professional network, and using your art to promote social change. At once inspiring and no-nonsense, Letters to a Young Artist will challenge you, motivate you, and set you on a course to pursue your art without compromise.




Young Children and the Arts


Book Description

Young Children and the Arts: Nurturing Imagination and Creativity examines the place of the arts in the experiences of young and very young children at home and in out-of-home settings at school and in the community. There is great need for development of resources in the arts specifically designed to introduce babies and toddlers to participatory experiences in the visual arts, dance, music, and storytelling/theater. This book presents valuable guidelines for early childhood teachers, families, caregivers and community organizations. Young Children and the Arts presents a comprehensive approach to the arts that is aligned with early childhood developmentally appropriate practice and that combines an exploratory, materials-based approach with an aesthetic-education approach for children from birth to eight years of age. It addresses both how the arts are foundational to learning, and how teachers and parents can nurture young children’s developing imagination and creativity. The models presented emphasize a participatory approach, introducing young children to the arts through activities that call for engagement, initiative and creative activity. Additionally, Young Children and the Arts addresses the intersection of early childhood education and the arts—at points of convergence, and at moments of tension. The role of families and communities in developing and promoting arts suffused experiences for and with young children are addressed. Young Children and the Arts examines the role of innovative arts policy in supporting a broad-based early arts program across the diverse settings in which young children and their families live, work, and learn.




Young Children as Artists


Book Description

From the moment a child is born, they interact with the sensory world, looking at colours, feeling textures; constructing mental and physical images of what they see and experience. Within all early years settings and into primary school, the aim for the practitioner, is to provide as many opportunities as possible to stimulate, excite and ignite the visual and tactile imagination of the young children they teach. Young Children as Artists considers how art can be managed, understood and relished as an essential ingredient towards the creative potential of each unique young child. The book focuses, on how to enjoy, celebrate and extend what a young child can do in art and show how engaged adults and the wider school community can become confident participants in the process of early years art making. Full of practical advice, on to how to design, develop, resource and extend art and design environments within the early years setting, the book covers: Developing skills for positive and participative adult interaction and engagement Understanding and analysing child involvement in art Planning for opportunities and responding to observation and schema in art and design Practical suggestions for activities and resources (inside and out) Ideas to explore sensory development and awareness Ways to manage and savour the art transition into KS1 Ways to encourage parental participation and understanding of the art process with their children Opportunities to engage with practising artists This book will help to invigorate the art experiences offered in your early years setting by considering what is accessible, individual, inspiring and meaningful for young children and how you can best support their formative paths of enquiry.




A Glorious Freedom


Book Description

“The remarkable women celebrated in [this] vibrantly illustrated collection . . . offer stirring words of encouragement to any woman, of any age” (Booklist). The glory of growing older is the freedom to be more truly ourselves. With age we gain the confidence to pursue bold new endeavors and worry less about what other people think. In this richly illustrated volume, bestselling author and artist Lisa Congdon explores the power of women over the age of forty who are thriving and living life on their own terms. A Glorious Freedom includes profiles, interviews, and essays from women such as Vera Wang, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Julia Child, Cheryl Strayed, and many others who have found creative fulfillment and accomplished great things in the second half of their lives. Each section is lavishly illustrated and hand-lettered in Congdon's signature style.




Letters To A Young Artist


Book Description

Written in the form of letters to an aspiring artist, 'Letters to a Young Artist' includes Julia Cameron's hints on how to become an artist and encourage the creative flow. Full of exercises - she suggests, for example, writing 14 pages on anything every morning - and advice on an artist's approach to many aspects of life, including work and play, rest and exercise, adventure and security, relationships and sex, personal appearance. There are inspiring ideas on what to write about and invaluable encouragement in dealing with creative blocks and temporary failure.




The Joy of Art


Book Description

An Artist’s Insights on Art Appreciation Written by a practicing artist, this book decodes and maps the basic elements of visual art, leading the reader to a greater understanding and appreciation. Not an art history lesson per se, this illustrated guide is rather a tool kit to make the study of art and a visit to the museum truly rewarding. An entertaining and informative read, The Joy of Art offers the reader: A working art vocabulary to help you identify and explain what you’re looking at Answers to many of the questions you may have about visual art in general A summary of the basic criteria to consider when looking at art Highlights of the primary art genres and an introduction to the artists who pursued them Many visual examples of aesthetic considerations and practices Interesting facts about your favorite artists and clues to why they made the choices they did A few games to test your new skills The Joy of Art contains 150 color photographs and many interesting insights from an artist-author who takes readers behind the curtain and into the studio to uncover what actually goes into making a work of art. If you love art, this book will take your appreciation to a new level. Not only will your enjoyment of art increase, you’ll be able to clearly communicate your understanding to others.