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I have long had an interest in the child prodigy artist . What exactly makes a child a prodigy? My old Throndike Barnhart dictionary says “As infant prodigy is a child remarkably brilliant in some respect.” Of course this might include a prodigy in mathematics, music, art or many other areas.

I was reading about a six year old boy who paints like a master. His work is indeed beautiful. Watercolors full of atmosphere and shadow. This young man is named Kieron Williamson. You can find out a bit about him by clicking on the link above or just googling for him yourself. What I find so remarkable about his work is that it is neither child-like, nor dismally “realistic.” I think it communicates as much about the artist as it does the subject matter, in the manner of all great art. As I’ve always known, there is much untapped talent in every child, and some children are certainly destined for greatness in their ability.

Posted February 7, 2010 Comments(0)

Think outside the box! I believe all of us are far more capable of creating than we ever dreamt possible. Do you think you don’t have any talent? Hah! Every one of us has it. I believe it is God-given, and is only waiting to be developed.

Why not give it a try? There is nothing to lose by picking up a pencil and doing a little sketching, or sitting down at the computer and writing your memoirs. The possibilities are so endless. How about redesigning your bedroom? Writing a cookbook? Starting a garden? All of the above! If you can dream about it, you can do it.

Here’s another one that I highly recommend: Start writing your own blog! It is easy, fun and you can develop your writing skills.

Posted February 3, 2010 Comments(0)

Time to make your holiday gifts! With the holidays a little over a month away, it’s time to make a trip to Michael’s or your local craft store and get some inspiration. Why not make all your gifts this year? I’ve done this for many seasons, and think it’s a great way to experience your inner artist. Your children and grandchildren will love you for it, and the presents you give will be so much more meaningful.

If glue, paper and beads just aren’t your thing, then bake goodies that can be enjoyed by your clan. One young lady in my family collects holiday tins from the thrift store, carefully washes them, and fills them with homemade cookies for everyone in the family. This is a tradition everyone looks forward to, especially her children.

Have an old fashioned and loving holiday season, and start it right now!

Posted November 22, 2009 Comments(0)

You can set a great example for your children and grandchildren by being creative yourself. I grew up in a family where both my parents worked as artists. Their own love of creating was the best gift my parents could have given me. From that early experience, I decided that being an artist was not only a viable career choice, but that it was an important one.

I worry about the public school system today, with the creative arts getting short shrift. I believe that learning to paint or play an instrument is equally important to becoming a whiz in math or science. Did I say equally? Well, that’s not quite right. It is way MORE important to create.

If you think your child is more intellectual than artistic, or worse, he has no “talent,” then think again. Creativity is part of the human condition, and we all deserve to indulge in it. It can be a full-time career or a part time hobby. And let me ask you this, was Einstein creative?

Posted October 5, 2009 Comments(0)

I’ve noticed a certain nervousness some parents have around their children, especially when said child is being particularly creative. “Mommy, there’s a fairy in the back yard!” I heard one exuberant young lady of five years announce to her mother the other day. It was rewarding to see this young mother return her excitement, without a hint of a lecture on “that’s just your imagination.”

Children should be allowed their creativity, without parental correction or worse, the intervention of psychiatric drugging to “adjust” them. I’ve often thought that were psych drugs like Ritalin around when I was a child, I would’ve been the perfect candidate for their application. Extremely active and wildly creative, my profile would surely have matched some of the phony psychiatric labeling so prevalent today.

If you have a child you think is ADD or ADHD, think about adjusting his or her diet, cutting out the sugar and soft drinks, and turning off the television. There are many alternatives out there to harmful, addictive and potentially fatal psychiatric drugs.

This is my hobby horse for the week!

Posted August 20, 2009 Comments(0)

Do you have a summer garden? One of my favorite things is to gather the fruits of my labor for a gorgeous, healthy, vitamin-rich salad. Nature is beautiful without even trying! Think of all the stunning still life paintings of apples, pears and so forth. When I create either a fruit salad or a vegetable salad it always reminds me of the old masters.

Think of your life in terms of art and become aware of all the beauty surrounding you. One of the differences between artists and the rest of mankind is that artists have the ability to look at things from their own universes. All of us have this ability. My advice is to turn off the television and turn on your own perceptions. Try it and see!

Posted June 7, 2009 Comments(0)

With summer just around the corner, it’s time to get out the old sketch pad! Think of spending a lazy afternoon with your back against the oak tree and your sketch pad propped up against your knees. Don’t worry about impressing anyone. Look at your surroundings, breath in the fresh air, and start to sketch!

Maybe you’ll draw your surroundings, maybe you’ll sketch the tree down the hill, maybe you’ll draw a dragon. It doesn’t matter! What does matter is opening up your creative consciousness. Don’t worry about who will see your drawing, what they might say and so forth. This is just for you!

I’m all for people doing things that get them in touch with their artistic side and this is one more outlet you can develop.

Posted May 8, 2009 Comments(0)

Anyone can make an attractive garden, and even feed themselves! If you live in an apartment, perhaps you can grow some tomatoes in a pot outside your front door, or on a balcony. I’ve always loved to garden, and find it one of the best ways to welcome spring into my life.

Growing food is one of the most of basic creative activities. Not only are you allowing life to spring forth from a tiny seed, but a garden in itself can be a thing of beauty. I think it’s impossible not to have a pretty garden; rows of purple greens, tomato plants bursting with red, yellow and green, wandering squash plants with explosive yellow blossoms. Maybe I’m crazy, but I even think weeding is a satisfying pastime! If you’ve never grown food, you’re in for a real treat and maybe the birth of a new passion. Have fun!

Posted February 12, 2009 Comments(0)

The New Year is here at last, a time to make resolutions and try to stick to them for a change!

I’ll give you an idea for one that doesn’t involve dieting, exercise or studying 4 hours a day to improve your mind. In fact, this one is just based on having fun and creating things that make you and everyone else around you happy! Of course it does require a little initiative, but what good things in life don’t?

Everyone, as you may be tired of hearing me say, is an artist. I have some new ideas on how to get started and find your “inner artist” without spending much money or too much time (at least at first. Just wait till you get so into this that your can barely pull yourself away!).

Have fun and Happy (Creative) New Year!

Posted January 15, 2009 Comments(0)

One of the most precious gifts I’ve ever received was a card created by someone I loved dearly. She spent hours conceiving the design, thinking up the message and then putting it all together for me. It meant more to me than any store-bought gift ever could, and to this day I keep it with my most treasured possessions.

We all have a lot of “stuff”, I’d wager to say a lot more than we’ll ever really need. This holiday season think about either making your own gifts to give, or, like my wonderful young friend, crafting a card that has a message you’re beloved friend or family member will hold dear throughout the coming season and beyond.

With the threat of economic hard times looming, this is a good time to reevaluate the important things and rediscover the inner artist longing for expression. Creating has many benefits on so many levels.

Posted November 6, 2008 Comments(0)