Bernie's Ramblings: An apple for the teacher... Did you know?....

I'm not only an artist but an advocate for the arts... with that said... I believe that introducing the arts to children is of the utmost importance. Today is the last day of school so I thought it appropriate to ramble about these important things...

Did you know?
~ The arts teach kids to be more tolerant and open.
~ The arts allow kids to express themselves creatively.
~ The arts promote individuality, bolster self-confidence, and improve overall academic performance.
~ The arts can help troubled youth, providing an alternative to delinquent behavior and truancy while providing an improved attitude toward school.

Young people who participate in the arts for at least three hours on three days each week through at least one full year are:
~ 4 times more likely to be recognized for academic achievement
~ 3 times more likely to be elected to class office within their schools
~ 4 times more likely to participate in a math and science fair
~ 3 times more likely to win an award for school attendance
~ 4 times more likely to win an award for writing an essay or poem

Recently... I did an art demo in my daughter Olivia's, second grade class. I have done one of these demos in her classes since kindergarten. I set up a small still life and the children watched me paint an apple from life. We talked about painting and the arts in general. We also discussed the things they are doing in school right now that may be helpful in the career of an artist... things like the importance of each subject they are taking and how that relates to being a successful artist. They offered some GREAT answers and insights. Olivia was in rare form as she was helping every step of the way... after all... she is my painting buddy! In fact... we reached a point where I painted and she answered the questions. The kids were more interested in her as an artist... asking her questions like... "When did she start painting?"... "What does she love to paint most?"... I enjoyed seeing her and the class interact... a GREAT day in making memories!

"An Apple and a Pear for Mrs. Davis"... 5x7" Oil on panel, painted 2009, alla prima from life as a demo for Mrs Davi' second grade class.

Here I am pictured with Mrs Shirley Davis (Olivia's second grade teacher), Olivia, and my granddaughter, Savannah. Mrs Davis' second grade class was awesome... we opted for an apple and a pear this year (2009).


Olivia and Mrs Tyson (her 1st grade teacher)...


"An Apple for Mrs. Tyson"... 5x7" Oil on panel, painted 10-31-2007, alla prima from life as a demo for Mrs Tyson's first grade class.

Olivia and I pictured with Mrs Davis' kindergarten class. Livie is holding a painting she did when she was four.

"An Apple for Mrs Davis"... 9"x12" Oil on panel, alla prima from life, September 27, 2006. Painted as a demo for Mrs Sandra Davis' kindergarten class.

Memories indeed! To be continued next year with Liv's third grade class!

Thanks for dropping by... feel free to comment... would love to hear them.
Bernie

A couple of great articles about the importance of art and children can be found here:

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ATTENTION PARENTS: A little art is not enough for our kids...

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All Children are Born Natural Artists.... and Painters!