Paint + Water + Play

In our fourth Art + Nature gathering we utilized the sunny studio space as a container for artistic experimentation. Upon arrival the children noticed some new elements to the ambiance such as soft background music,  a circular table with stools, stations for painting, and an organized selection of art materials for their choosing.  To start, the artists engaged their tactile senses through the manipulation of 'moon sand' - a sort of sandy play-dough.  

Back: Exploring with moon sand.
Front: Natural treasures collected on their walk to the studio.

This sensorial activity seemed to exercise their artistic muscles and curiosity as their attention then shifted to the paints and paintbrushes at their disposal.

Selecting tools for painting.

Once each painting station was complete with water, paints, brushes, and paper the artists enthusiastically jumped into the exploration of paint and pigment.

Each artist expresses a unique process.

After finishing a few paintings the children traded places to see what it was like to paint in different stations with varying canvas heights, levels of light, access to paint, and availability of tools. We provided 'natural brushes' made of grasses we collected in last week's class to use in today's activities. 

Left: Notice the artist's use of two brushes, one in each hand.

What wonderful use of complimentary colors!

We take a break and enjoy a snack and some water. Water is a vital and fascinating element worthy of repeated discovery and one which the artists agree to engage again today. It begins with pouring the liquid from one container into another - a skill we all develop with practice :-)

Two hands for the watering can!

Noticing the awesome green-colored Elmer's glue sitting amongst the supplies the children decide it is time to collage. We provide them with bowls filled with an eclectic assortment of crafting materials like boxes, beads, popsicle sticks, charms, rocks, crystals, and much more.

Paintbrushes are useful when applying glue.

After placing animal figurines in the green glue,
one experiment involves sticking them to the pavement
followed by a thorough rinse down with a spray bottle.

This interest in the green-colored glue and the water play continues to evolve until the focus of the children's collaborative work is a fusion of these elements.

It begins with a pool for the animals.

Adding more figurines in an orderly fashion.

Back to the glue and craft objects in order to
create an interesting boat for the animals in the water.

The ship as it appears before its maiden voyage.

Teamwork: the children share the task of bringing
animals aboard their boat of artistic wonder.

Everything is under control, we think...

...until the cardboard lid enclosing the pool bulges beyond
its seams and water flows down the driveway.

As we document the artist's natural art and play it becomes more and more clear that the essence of their work is rooted in curiosity and ultimately discovery. Through engaging simple materials and elements the children create their own lesson plans, in a sense, providing insights that are uniquely suited to their interests. Activities such as these exemplify emergent curriculum where we, as adults, intend to provide a container supporting growth and creativity while simultaneously witnessing the process as it unfolds before us.