drawing with kids

I have been mentoring little artists for awhile now, usually one-on-one private classes to further develop their technical knowledge and skills. I came about this naturally, and I do it because I want to, and love to - so I've started taking on younger kids and booking classes more often :)

I believe in nurturing individuality and building confidence to freely express our gifts, whatever they might be. It makes me incredibly happy that I can inspire and encourage a passion for art.

I have been tutoring a little girl age 9, now over 14 weeks, and I just love her. Just last Saturday, she put all the pieces together and completed the best drawing she's done yet (now with a newly found love of charcoal, that's my girl!). I know I've taught her well, I know she is listening...but I've also noticed something amazing in me recently that wasn't there before. My freedom, playfulness, and heart is connecting with my own work in new and wonderful ways! There's an added dimension to drawing what I see...another world that surpasses it that I haven't been able to tap into since as long as I can remember, if at all.

It's amazing to me that my imagination is stronger than ever! This is a gift my students have given to me. I can see more now than I ever could, and I credit this to all little artists and their sense of wonder and awe that has inspired me more than anyone has before.