Blog

Toddlers in the Studio

Tue, 25 May 2010 14:13:54 -0700

We have been exploring and experimenting with easy ways for Toddlers to start painting. Addie (age 2.5) has been very excited about bringing her friends into the studio for sessions. This picture is from a session she did with her friend Zacharia (Age 2).

Springtime at the DiRosa

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 09:31:10 -0700

We will not be holding classes this spring, as we are making further improvements on the studio and I am starting some BIG CANVAS work. While we are deep in that process, I highly recommend visiting the DiRosa Art & Nature Preserve. Just a short trip away, past Sonoma, it is HIGHLY Worth the adventure for ages 4 & up. They even do school tours.

Future of Arts in Sonoma County

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 14:01:44 -0800

Last night I went to an Open House for Arts Educators and Organizations put on my the Art Education Alliance of Sonoma County. The event was called “getSmart: Unifying the Voice of Art Educators.” I was interested in networking, checking out what other arts organizations are doing and to see if there is anyone in my community that is offering opportunities similar to the ones that the Petaluma Art House is interested in creating.

For the most part, the room was filled with arts educators from the high schools. Most of the conversation was around the financial aspect of keeping the arts in schools (as California’s budget continues to tank.) The main speaker was Steve Herrington. He is running unopposed for SC Superintendent of Schools. His main focus was on how arts educators should integrate their art classes with other “career pathways” to ensure their survival within the current financial climate. His main example was the digital arts. I felt there was a lot of frustration in the room (feeling under-valued), but there were several folks who remained optimistic and had some interesting ideas.

In the breakout groups, I went with the Visual Arts. One of the key issues that the educators wanted from the schools was support from their top administrators. This would definitely be helpful, but I think the key is enrolling the PARENTS. As the primary school advocates shared, cuts in the art programs at that level are preventing kids from enrolling in the secondary level classes because they are not getting exposed to the arts early enough. For myself, I see that the problem extends way beyond that to our wee toddlers. The sad fact is, most parents today did not have a good arts education themselves and they do not know how to provide it for their own children as babies & toddlers, let alone value it for older kids and themselves!

Most of the folks were in the school system but I had my own questions as a private artist:
1. how do private artists and independent studios fit in? How do folks outside of the educational system reach families and invite participation in the arts that is not limited by budget and curriculum guidelines set by the state?
2. how can we reach parents of toddlers? How can we re-learn how to appreciate and value art as a learning tool for the WHOLE HUMAN BEING?

As I have said all over this website, it’s not just about product or the career pathway. It’s about imagination, intuition, creativity, problem solving, and learning what one’s unique creative process looks like. Because, knowing your own creative process is key to understanding yourself and creating winning strategies for success in life.

Despite the rocky beginning....in the end, I appreciated the open house, the speakers & organizers, as well as the folks I met. And, I will look forward to attending another event or meeting in the future. I think that it is important to bridge the gap between the schools and private organizations to create a diverse community of folks who understand and appreciate the role art & creativity have to play in all of our lives.

Some books that were recommended by folks in the meeting:
A Whole New Mind: Why Right-brainers will Rule the Future by Daniel H. Pink
Drive by Daniel H Pink
Art & Physics by Leonard Shlain

Websites from the meeting:
Sonoma County Arts Council
Arts Education Advocacy Blog
Check out the California State Standards for the Visual Arts.

These are books I highly recommend!
Young at Art: Teaching Toddlers Self-Expression, Problem-Solving Skills, and an Appreciation for Art by Susan Striker
Kids Play: Igniting Children’s Creativity by Michele Cassou

Winter Time

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 09:35:29 -0800

The weather keeps teasing us - cold and rainy, warm and sunny - but life is budding all around us. The magnolias, cherry blossoms, daffodills are popping every where! At the petaluma Art House we are currently working on the fences, both in the front of the house and in the back. The Garden Gate is the Studio Entrance. I look forward to posting the new images soon. Needless to say, things are moving along. Painting will begin again mid-april. There has been a lot of interest, so let me know if you would like to be added to my list. Classes are small :)

Age 11+ Fall Term Show

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 09:21:12 -0800

It was great to see everyone after the busy beginning of the new year. The painters friends and family enjoyed an evening in the studio, filled with Sofie and Ada’s work from the fall term. What struck me most was how incredibly articulate the painters are about their unique creative process and how their parents were filled with appreciation. It was fun to share some special moments from the fall term with the visitors and revisit the memories inspired from the paintings. All I can say, is that I continue to be impressed with the strength and wit of these young painters and how supportive their parents are in allowing their children to develop their own voice through painting.