Works in Progress

The awkwardness of works in progress...

Sometimes when parents walk in after art class and see what we are working on, I can't help but feel a little apprehensive and wonder if they're thinking "this is what I'm paying money for?"

I totally get it; sometimes the paintings don't look like much. But, one activity is a stepping stone to another, and (believe me) there is method to my madness. :-) It may be hard for parents to visualize the final outcomes of the half-formed works-in-progress they see, but I can see them and they are brilliant. It's hard to fit a completed masterpiece into a one hour a week art class, and not all works in progress can be as beautiful as cookie dough (yum). Moreover, my goal is to provide kids with new ideas and inspiration that they can apply as they learn and grow as artists and little people.

Sometimes our paintings don't turn out as magnificently as we would like; every creation isn't going to be a masterpiece. That's part of the lesson. The important thing is that we try, create, experience, and explore. The tangible painting is only a small part of the equation. It is my hope that children will collect the ideas that our classes offer and they will mix them up in their own way, creating their own jambalaya of artistic style and expression for years to come.

The truth is, it takes a long time for anything to take on its ultimate form. Life, style, art- it all changes over time. We take elements away, add new things, edit color and detail... Sometimes we don't like the way things are going and we just smother the canvas with a fresh coat of paint and start all over again. There is divine freedom in art and in life, if we are lucky enough to harness it, and anything is possible. Things seldom turn out the way we plan them- and you never know what shape your canvas is going to take. :-)

Evidence of a work in progress... I hated the yellow because it reminded me of a pig snout or an alien face, so I changed it. The bandana has had several coats of paint and I'm still not sure I like it. The background may be changed to something besides blue. I can take my time and decide what I want to do and paint it to suit my liking. There are endless possibilities! The first try is not always (and seldom ever) the best try. Keep going until you find what you like best!

 

I didn't like this banana either... And the outlining didn't look right... I painted over the entire thing with light blue and it currently is awaiting its fate. It may take years or it may be finished tomorrow... Who knows!