We have perfected the art of homeschool art day.
There are six simple steps to prepare and then you back out of the way and let the art happen. It may be that you need to do some yourself to get things going, by example.
Here are the steps:
- Open area to work (a large table or the floor, doesn’t matter)
- A smattering of every tool and art material known to mankind (yes, I am a pack-rat when it comes to art supplies, and other things)
- The conscious decision on my part to ignore all spills and drips on the table, floor, walls, or ceiling (as I have always told my kids: art is messy – if it isn’t messy, it is not art)
- Music (this must be something you all like and it must be loud to encourage artistic expression, dancing with loaded paintbrushes, and general happiness)
- One or two artistic techniques tucked in the the back of your mind so that when the occasion arises, you can gently explain or demonstrate.
- An empty washing machine to clean everyone’s clothes after art is over.
Yesterday, our art day began with brown packing paper that came in a box of something or other we purchased online. We ended with ghost ceramic figures, knitted leg warmers, half of a knitted ghost hat to match the legwarmers, and painted paper vines and fall leaves. There is no way that I could have planned that out before hand. But that is really the point of homeschooling in the first place, isn’t it?
