Here’s some food for thought, from the book, “The Creative License” by Danny Gregory. This destined-to-be-a-classic book is about giving yourself permission to be creative. It was recommended to me by my friend, cartoonist Bridgett Spicer, one of the most creative people I know! When I first read this book I underlined about half of it. And I keep going back to it and finding more and more truth in it each time. I LOVE THIS BOOK!!
An excerpt:
It begins, “Too many people seem to feel they are not and cannot ever be creative.” The author goes on to discuss the analogy of how as an adult, you were not born knowing how to drive a car, but with instruction and practice, you learned and can now do it intuitively. He compares this process with the “creative education” you may have received growing up… “You probably never studied creativity in school. You never learned the basic principles of creativity. You never worked consistently at a creative discip
line until you mastered it, probably because the initial learning curve was so steep. When you encountered an obstacle you probably gave up, blaming a lack of talent.”
“What if we treated driving like we treat the Arts? We’d assume that people were either born to drive or not. We’d wait and see if, as children, they started driving on their own, if they had talent and a calling. If they did, we would be careful not to interfere with their talent and possibly suppress it. We would make sure to encourage only those who seemed they’d be able to drive professionally. We’d pay some of them millions of dollars to drive and lavish them with fame; others we would refuse to support, encouraging them to do something more useful for society. Everyone else would assume they would never be able to drive and would just stand on the sidewalks and watch the traffic. At least the ozone layer would be in better shape.”
And why it matters
He exaggerates to make his point, but it’s a point well taken! Sadly, many schools today, both public and private, have dropped Art education altogether due to budget constraints. Education in the Arts is a vital component of any well-rounded education. We need to find ways to continue to offer it no matter what the ups and downs of the economic climate.
That’s what keeps me inspired to share my favorite K-8 Art lessons and tips for teaching Art to kids. My hope is that classroom teachers, home school teachers, and parents will feel inspired and equipped to do Art with the kids in their life. So, even if you have no previous Art experience, don’t let that stop you. Let this website equip you to dive in with confidence! Peruse my lesson ideas and helpful tips, grab a copy of The Creative License, and sign up to receive my weekly email TIP of the WEEK!
Cheryl, I like the car driving analogy in refrnce to art. Very good post.
Love, RT
Great post! And so true!! Not to mention the exciting announcement… Can’t wait to see what’s to come!!!