Ideas + Resources for Collaborative Art
Rebecca from Thirteen Red Shoes is with us today to share some inspiring resources for creating collaborative art with the budding young makers in our lives.
I just adore the concept of creating with your child. There are so many different ways in which you can create with the littles in your life. It just takes a little planning and preparation in order for it to be successful.
Below are a few ideas to help you free your creative side and spend some time exploring the imaginative side with your favorite little people.
Online Resources:
1. Busy Mockingbird blog. Particularly this most delightful post, which discusses the unexpected collaboration of the artist with her four year old. The line “ if you can’t share, we might have to take it away ” was spoken by her daughter one afternoon when Mica brought out her new sketchbook and made her change her mind about components of her art. The final products between mother and daughter are so very inspiring. I want to begin collaborative art with my little ones tomorrow! Keep an eye on the TED X talks as Mica Angela Hendricks is preparing for a talk at the moment.
2. Amag This is an online architecture magazine for children and adults to engage in together. It is part of the Open Educational Resources hub, which enables family access to educational content from around the world. This is such an intensive program. There are endless ways in which this site can foster creative development. The supportive education content that goes with each article is simply amazing. This is a concept I hope to share with my boys. An example of a learning experience can be found here.
3. Made By Joel Joel is an artist and designer who founded this wonderful site. He offers such an amazing range of activities which are often collaborative in nature and engaging. If the concept of drawing and creating freehand is intimidating at first, why not start with coloring pages to sit down and enjoy while dinner cooks on the stove? Some free coloring sheets can be found on Made By Joel’s site here, or you can purchase posters from other resources to color together. My personal favorites are these amazing Draw Me A Lion posters and the Giant Coloring Pages from OMY shop.
Hands on Ideas:
1. Projecteo Gather a series of images captured by your little ones from a nature walk, number search, LEGO creations, cooking, books shared or of favorite people in your life. Rather than have these image live in the digital world have them made into a mini projector at Prejecteo. The following code will give you a discount! FRIEND08ZT
2. Collaborative Weaving, which I shared about a few weeks ago. This is such a delightful project that knows no boundaries.
Reading Resources:
1. The Artist’s Way for Parents: Raising Creative Children by Julia Cameron, published by Allen and Unwin.
There are three key tools that Julia encourages every parent to incorporate into their lives and the lives of their children:
A. Morning Pages – Three pages of longhand writing that the parent does alone. A portable, private support kit for the parent, a safe place to process feelings, ultimately making you able to be more present in your day and with your child.
B. Creative Expedition – A once-weekly duel adventure that the parent and child plan, look forward to and take together. A creative expedition doesn’t need to be large, but it does need to be festive.
C. Highlights – A daily bedtime ritual in which the parent and child each share their favorite moment from the day
I believe so very much in Julia’s three guiding principles. I just need to be able to put these into practice. I can envisage Step 2 and 3, but Step one I am not so sure!
2. Big Kids Magazine BIG Kids Magazine is an Australian contemporary creative arts publication that features the work of children and artists side by side. BIG stands for Bravery, Imagination and Generosity. The magazine accepts submissions for their magazine throughout the year in regards to specific themes. This magazine is delightful in every way and truly values the relationship between artist and child.
Photo Credits: The Busy Mockingbird / Amag / Made by Joel / OMY Shop
