Process versus Product

Paper Plate Projects
Which one shows the child's creativity? Which one was more FUN to make?
(Thank you to PreK and K Sharing)

Outside the Lines Young Artists' Studio is all about process. I try very hard to remember that if I'm doing my job right, many pieces created will not be frame or even refrigerator worthy in an adult's eyes. Often, more is learned by making a 'mess' than by making a giraffe. I say "I try very hard" because it is not easy to get a clear picture of the childhood experience through grown up eyes. You have to let some expectations go, remembering that kids, especially the very young, don't have any expectations at all. 

I ran across this blog entry at PreK and K Sharing that explains the process/product conundrum very well. It's where I got the paper plate image above and I hope you'll click through and read the article. You have to scroll down a bit and there's some "teacher speak" to wade through, but it is a nice explanation of why I do what I do.

Happy Holidays!

Here is our holiday gift to you:

Give the gift of ART!

Plenty of space available in the Wednesday 4:30 Elementary Class and the Thursday 1:00 PreK class. Sign up to start in January and get this cute stocking stuffer too!

Gum Ball Machines after Wayne Thiebaud

Wayne Thiebaud is a natural fit for young artists. What's more fun than ice cream and cake? With such a diverse age range (4 - 11), I often wonder how much of the lesson they retain, especially the Littles. Do they even remember who we learned about? So for this lesson, I focused on three pieces of information:
1. Our artist's name is Wayne Thiebaud.
2. He likes to draw and paint food (among other things).
3. He is still alive. (That may seem strange, but most of the artists we learn about are long dead. I think it's important that the children know that artists are creating everyday.)


We looked at pictures of Thiebaud's work in a sweet (pun intended) little book called Counting with Wayne Thiebaud. It was too young for my Bigs so we focused on the media he used to create each piece. Most were pastels or oils which fit nicely with our project.


They were fascinated that he was still alive and working. I showed them a recent picture of him and the consensus was that he looks like somebody's grandfather. But how to teach that complicated name so they'd remember?

Ta da! Worked like a charm! Periodically I'd ask them to answer one of my three questions and if they got it right they were allowed to push the little gum ball machine down which makes the gum balls fly into the air. Boy they loved that!


The Littles used crayons and  tracers for the rectangle base and circle globe, then dipped bottle caps into paint for the gum balls.

Age 4

 Age 5

Age 6

The Bigs had an additional term to learn: Pop Art. They simply interpreted their gum ball machines in oil pastels. I did point out the colors Thiebaud used for the glass because every one of them automatically reached for black.

 Age 6! Check out the shadow!

 Age 9

Age 8

Art Dudes

These guys have been hanging out in the studio for awhile now, aimlessly clinging to the cabinet, generally up to no good. When I saw them in The Chrysler Museum of Art gift shop, I had to have them. Artist finger puppets with magnetized heads? YES! As with many "have to haves" I didn't exactly know what I was going to do with them, With no clear purpose, Picasso became "jail guy" and Warhol became "the scientist". This would not do. I hatched a clever plan.


Now they are a matching game, which I introduced this week. Each dude has a corresponding name and work. These are packing tape laminated (win) and have magnets taped to the back, recycled from those advertising magnets you get all the time (win again).  One student gave a "Yay!" when I said next week I might just mix them up. If nothing else, my little artists will know these six artists. Not too shabby.


* In the interest of full disclosure I must add that the Van Gogh puppet had both his ears. I found this disappointing, so I remedied it.

What Peace Looks Like

Today we unveiled our Pinwheels for Peace project. Yesterday was officially the International Day of Peace, but it was rainy, and I didn't want tears along with wet, smeared artwork. So with the idea that everyday should be peace day, we installed our artwork a day late.

Each artist made a pinwheel. Inside we wrote our words, ideas and wishes for peace. On the outside we did our art. When the wind blows, it sends our peace thoughts out into the world!

Before beginning our project, we read What Does Peace Feel Like? It is a lovely book that was created by children from around the world.

CP/RV Front Porch ArtWalk - Oct. 9

Mark your calendar for Sunday, October 9! Outside the Lines will be making art with young artists at the Colonial Place/Riverview Front Porch ArtWalk! Stroll or bike from porch to porch visiting local artists in these historic Norfolk neighborhoods. Outside the Lines will be on Connecticut Ave. armed with pastels and paper. It's a lovely way to spend a fall afternoon.