Lights

My darling little art students are growing up.

Because our out-of-the-box school-for-homeschoolers is crazy and cool, teachers can work with the same group of kids for years on end. With this group, we've been making art for about six years now, and that is a long and lovely time to be together.

And while they still adore many of our old tried-and-true projects - like bubble painting, splatter art, and string painting - my students are also maturing as artists. Today, we used pencils to created value scales - which are basically black and white rainbows. Then we put those techniques to work in our drawings of white cubes, which were illuminated with bright light to create strong shadows.

Typically assigned to students at the high school level, these technical projects did not frighten my young padawans. While most are just 9 to 12 years old, they all successfully tackled the assignment with good spirits and created beautiful work. Even my little kindergartner sat right down and gave it her best shot. My students are motivated, positive-thinking, eager learners and it's a joy to work with them.

* * * * *

Just a few months ago, I wasn't sure I was going to continue this class. Finally, all of my own daughters have graduated from this program and I wondered if maybe it was time for me to move on, too. But even in this dark classroom, the light of my students' passion for art has called me back home, and I'm very glad of that.

* * * * *

For more stories about my talented and adorable art students, read:

Action Painting: Beautiful Echoes
Action: Painting: Oceans Of Bubbles
Action Painting: Weeks One And Two
Action Painting: Turquoise Spots
Action Painting: Smiling Wolves, Dancing Ducks, And Two Red Legs
Art With Kids: Learning By Heart
Hands And Feet
Chickens And Eggs
A Cinderella Story
Why Art Matters
Make It Work
Draw This: Watercolor Valentines
Action Painting: Polka Dot Pet Party