By Smarty Mom, Judith Voglesonger
“Every child is an artist—the problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” —Pablo Picasso
My children love to draw, sketch, paint, chalk, and sculpt and I attribute this to the fact that my house is filled with colorful artwork. What they see inspires them just as it inspires me. They have learned to paint skies like Irene Salley’s and practice their still life compositions to mirror Margaret Owen’s work. Judith William’s ballerinas are constantly recreated in my house at the hands of my four- and six-year-old.
Having original art surround you in your home is transformative. It instantly transforms the energy and light in a room. It has the ability to alter a mood and even inspire our little ones to try their hands at creating something akin to what they see. Exposing young ones to various forms of art is important and is directly linked to the development of the right side of the brain.
Right-brained thinking is generally recognized as inventive, creative, big-picture and empathetic. Left-brained thinking is often categorized as more logical and linear. As children grow, exposing them to art is a great way to develop both sides of the brain, but more specifically, the right side.
In our sports-centric society, most children are playing soccer or T-ball by the age of three or four. However, exposure to the arts is not as readily available and therefore tends to fall towards the bottom of the priority list. Sharing art with your little ones will stimulate their right-side thinking, and help them develop the abilities to become a creative problem solver. Who knows…maybe a true artist is born!
I love art. I didn’t think about the positive effects that art might have on my children, but as it turns out my children share my love and appreciation. They are learning to see the beauty and meaning within each painting and their admiration for what they see compounds my love of the pieces that I buy and sell.
JWV Artists is hosting a Spring Art Show on April 18-21. Address is 3330 Cambria Road, Charlotte NC 28210 (Mountainbrook Neighborhood). Come as you are from 10a-2p or for evening/weekend appointment times, email Judith at judith@jwvartists.com.
