It's Playtime: Introducing Art Concepts

While there were many cute spring and Easter ideas linked-up this past week, I came across two posts dear to my heart.  I'm from a family of artists.  My aunt Patti is a terrific pastel artist, showing her art in several galleries and a piece at the San Diego Natural History museum.  My mom paints beautiful flats and historical figures, winning awards around the world.  My dad has used his artistic talents in many ways from creating fabulous set pieces for plays and classrooms, to designing puppets and puppet theaters for he and my step-mom's ministry.  Art is in my blood.  I've dabbled in painting, drawing, and photography but loving them all so much, I've never settled on one thing, which is my down fall because I don't do much with any of them.

With art being so important in our family, I want to instill that love in my children as well.  My daughter is a budding artist, taking classes at a local studio.  She's pretty good and I can't wait to see what will become of her.  My son, well, he's a boy.  Although I promote art, he has little interest in the subject.  He's starting to draw a bit, moving from scribbles to recognizable shapes.  Occasionally he'll paint, but for the most part he'd rather be climbing trees then enjoying fine art time with mommy.

Which brings me back to It's Playtime.  Two posts last week stood out for me.  There are ways to introduce famous artists and art concepts to little kids without going over board.  I felt these posts did a terrific job of just that...

Sunnydaytodaymama shared Jackson Pollock for Children.  Kids can easily relate to Jackson Pollock 's style of abstract art and have a lot of fun attempting an inspired creation.  She also includes a short video showing the man at work.

Another way to create abstract art as well as teaching children about opening up to themselves and their feelings is through Soundscapes.  The Art Club Blog shared how playing different types of music for children can inspire different paintings.  Even with little children, try playing some classical music and ask them to paint/draw what it sounds like.  You may be surprised with that they produce.

How have you introduced art and/or artists to young children?  What concepts do you teach?

If you were featured this week, don't forget to grab your special "featured button."

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These activities plus more can be found over on the It's Playtime Pinterest Board.  Happy Pinning! 

Now, on to this weeks play date! 

It's Playtime is a community and Thursday link-up hosted by:

* Rachele : Messy Kids (That's me!)
* Anna : The Imagination Tree
* Rachel : Quirky Momma
* Jamie : hands on : as we grow
* Jenny : Let the Children Play

How to Play :

* Link up a post about a playful learning experience enjoyed by kids.

* Give us love and pop a button into your post/blog. Invite your readers to the weekly play date!

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* Stop by one of our blogs every Thursday and add your link about play. Your link will show up on each of the blogs in the It's Playtime community.

* Each week the playtime hosts will choose favorite posts to feature. (By linking you are giving us permission to use an image and link to you, if featured.)

* Be sure to visit some of the links that catch your eye. Commenting on posts that you find interesting or inspiring is a wonderful way to develop your own playful community.