S p r i n g t i m e a r t & n a t u r e
C o l l a b o r a t i o n
This month it is all about collaboration. I have started adding to my children’s art work (with their permission) and it is really rather fun! I have 3 boys, aged 13, 11 and 6. Each of them drew something and I added to it, afterwards. There is obviously no right or wrong way to collaborate so you could get creative and either do as I did, draw in tandem , or draw something and they then add to it, whichever you like !Below is a collaboration with my 6 year old- he drew the heart and I added the fern leaves.
It is my firm belief that if we teach our children about nature they are more likely to have an interest to save it, respect it and look after it. A book called ‘Last child in the woods’ by Richard Louv talks of nature being a place children can ‘find freedom and genuine creativity’. I believe being in nature is an essential investment in our children’s lives as well as our own, instilling a sense of wonder and creativity. I have always loved nature and it is my place to rejuvenate and deeply enjoy , as well as be an inspiration for my art.
Ideas for the collaboration
Spring flower mandala:
My 6 year old helped make the mandala to the right, below, I just drew round a plate, picked flowers we have in the garden and put a few holes into cardboard and my son helped push the flowers through. Can you or your child spot all the flowers, what are they all called ?
we have :
cellandine
primrose
grape hyacinth
daisy
dandelion
A fun and quick quiz!
All the answers are only from the 5 flowers listed above, can you work out which is which?
- Which flower does not need to be pollinated to form seed ?
- What flower do water voles like to eat ?
- Which flower is actually two flowers in one ?
- Muscari is the latin name for which flower ?
- Which flower belongs to the primulaceae family ?
(answers at the bottom!)
Tips for getting the creativity and fun flowing before you start the painting:
1.Draw with your less dominant hand and just draw shapes or swirls
2. Draw large figure of 8s over and over and over
3. Put some music on and flick your paint brush in time with the music (i.e make a mess!)
4. Try to enjoy the process and see if you can go with the flow (try to avoid being concerned about the end result) Just play.
5. Just get some art materials and doodle or paint whatever flows.
Paint a blossom tree mandala:
Draw round a plate or saucepan, paint a tree using slightly coloured water ( so you can see it!) use inks if you have them, or paints, and use a combination ( I used purple + yellow + green to make a brownish colour) and let the colours spread, use the paint brush to tease the colours out, and up.
Add pink, purple and white for the blossom. You or your child could try finger painting the blossom onto the tree.
Use a fineliner to draw the outline of a tree ( my 13 year old drew the fineliner tree and I added the paint) and leave as is, or add paint or pencils.
You could also make mandalas from leaves or shells or whatever you can find! Collaborate away ! My 11 year old made the LAND ART image below. Making something using natural resources can be very relaxing and connects us to nature.
Answers:
- Which flower does not need to be pollinated to form seed ? dandelions. They are often transported by the wind, and can travel up to 5 miles before it touches the ground.
- What flower do water voles like to eat? cellandine
- Which flower is actually two flowers in one? daisy
- Muscari is the latin name for which flower ? grape hyacinth
- Which flower belongs to the primulaceae family ? primrose
