Workshop with children

I taught students at the Elementary School here in Yellow Springs, in a workshop format, with my friend Toni.  It is challenging to get the right approach when you have a specific product the children must produce but your deepest desire is to help them express their innermost self...in watercolor.  We had a great time with the kids and while some stuggled, others seemed in their element and the colors flowed.  The end result was that each child seemed to come away pleased with their work. 

Here are a few photos from the time we shared with the kids 'Painting their Dreams' - Thank you Ellen Guest, Mikasa Armstrong and Heidi Hoover - teachers extrordinaire!

One can never tell for certain what will strike a cord....beg to be painted...
This morning, in Yoga, we discussed a sanskrit word (sahzi?) that means 'to seek beauty'.  This is seen as a way of going through life, the ambition to find beauty as one goes through the rites of daily life.  I don't know if I will paint this tiny bird but he certainly is lovely - full of cheer and hoping for a crumb from my toast, I bet.

There are days when I don't get to paint but I can still seek beauty, gather inspiration for the time when I do hide away from obligations/laundry, etc and pull out the art tools.

Next week, I will go with a friend to the local elementary School, Mills Lawn, to work with 3 second grade classes.  We will lead them in painting their dreams on a cloud!  How magical - how fortunate we are to have the privilage to help these children, to share their dreams. 

Sweet.