Process Over Product, I Always Say! Art Camp Is So Much More Than Art!

Many times as parents/adults we want our kids to create something “Beautiful”. We have forgotten about honoring the process children go through to create their works of art. At one point in time, Picasso’s art work was considered “crap”. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

We want our kids to make these beautiful pieces of art that we can proudly post on our walls, on the fridge, in our offices at work but we spend too much time looking for perfection and not for HOW your child arrived at their proud works of art. I cannot begin to tell you how many times I have heard parents’ comments to their children or to me about wanting their art to look a certain way. They will give direction on completing a piece. They will offer to help. They will negate the child’s wishes in exchange for something that looks a certain way based on public opinion.

The process of creating is just as important as what you turn out!

It’s so hard to let go of what we want for our kids and allow them to be themselves. We haven’t learned the art of honoring the process. When my son was a toddler he began to have his own thoughts and feelings about what he wanted to eat. He rejected the food I had prepared and instead wanted to make his own choices. 

My husband could not understand why our son wanted something other than what we were providing him. It was such a foreign concept to grasp that this little person we had been charged with molding and caring for would have his own path to follow. It took several days to get to the point of understanding that he is his own person and as his own person he has a path that he wants to follow.   So as he rejected the breakfast I placed in front of him, I realized I needed to give him options.

When I’m hungry and I open the fridge I have options, so why not him?  It was such a change for us all when we began to allow him to help make the decisions on meals. He was being heard and having his needs met.  As this realization sunk in I began to wonder what other aspects of his life he could start taking charge of.

In my studio I always had an art station set up for my kid. I had every art supply ready for him at the drop of a hat. I asked and asked(and asked) him if he’d like to join me in the studio, but he always said no. I told him he was always welcome to join me and showed him where the supplies he could use were located.  It seemed like an eternity before he finally asked to come “play with mommy”   I was elated! 

he process of creating, process, creative process, artistic process

The process needs to be the artist’s and no one else’s!

And then I did it again.  I told him what to make, I TOLD him how to make it. It was not a pleasant experience for either of us. It was sometime before he asked again and this time I sat back and let things happen. I wanted him to be in charge of his own artistic expression. What a difference that made! He flourished. He created it. He chatted as he drew and cut and taped things together. He was free. Completely in his element.  It was SO AWESOME! It was what I always wanted to see happen. It was exactly how I felt when I created my art and it was perfect!  

Let them let themselves shine! I have had the same vision for my summer art camps!  Kids have been struggling for months now stuck at home hiding from COVID. They aren’t looking for works of art, they are looking for time to be a “normal kid” again. They run through my door and exclaim, “what are we doing today?”  It’s precious. It warms my heart. Each kid is coming to my camp from a different place. 

They each have their own personality and needs they bring to the room. So it makes sense that what they need to get out of their art experiences are unique as well. As each kid begins their process I always keep in mind their needs, their sensitivities and to let them experience their process for themselves.  I always use comments like, “look at all that color”  I never say, “What is that”  because what they see on the paper is exactly what they saw in their minds. If I ask them what it is and can’t see if they like it, it can hurt their feelings.  I tend to point out colors, shapes, etc. I also frequently use “tell me about your creation.” or “what is the story going on here?”   It brings out so much more conversation with them.

Their way of creating is just fine!

Summer art camp is not about MY art, it’s about THEIR art. Their process. I don’t like to draw or paint for them. I don’t mind adding a little something they ask for or making a slight change they need but in general I allow their work to be their own. When you sit back and allow the process to unfold you see so much more in a child.

Yes, they may mix all the colors of the paints together and make a brown blob of poo, but if you wait to see what they use the color for you may be very surprised with the outcome. Sometimes it’s not just about the piece of art either. How many times have you caught yourself dragging your fingers in the sand? Not to make a picture but for the relaxation it gives you. A sand box, a bowl of rice, they all give a certain meditative trance like quality to them. 

Creative Process Slideshow

When I see a child mixing and mixing and mixing paints it seems that they are in a trance and are just happy to be contemplatively ensconced in their own process. It’s beautiful. Check it out sometime.

One of my sessions is all about painting. I always look forward to sitting back quietly and just letting them be who they need to be. To allow the process to unfold at their pace with their colors and their own ideas. I suggest you try it. Don’t put an agenda out there, just let them “do” say things like “tell me about this over here” or “Wow you are really working hard on this” There are so many ways to encourage a child at their own level. Happy arting everyone.