My children have been surrounded by art supplies, art books, art on the walls and art museums their whole lives.

Sometimes what they really need is just the freedom to create.

When I put supplies out for my kids and then I walk away to do my own thing I feel that my kids rush through the process instead of really taking their time.

The best thing for me to learn as a mother when it comes to art is to help them practice and really look at what they are wanting to do.

When I sit down with them or talk with them while they create I feel like they are more in tuned to what they are doing.

My hands do not touch their creations.

My ideas do not touch their creations.

It is my job to supply the mediums, explore the museums, talk about works of art they love and don’t love, point out techniques and some suggestions for mediums and let them figure the rest out.

No right.

No wrong.

No suggestions unless they ask for help.

No picking up the brush and showing them how on their work. If they ask for technique help I show them on a separate piece of paper or canvas.

When they get frustrated I am honest about how sometimes I get frustrated and wish my art was at a different place and how we all just have to keep practicing.

I show off their work and display it proudly and we do it all again.

Last week was week one of Studying Under The Masters {portraits and self-portraits} and I studied under the work of Vincent Van Gogh.

Ben had such a fun week playing with paperclay and creating Van Gogh and The Postman.

We looked through different works of Van Gogh and he decided to practice using Starry Night.

When he thought he was done I encouraged him to put it aside for a day and look at it the next morning to see if he saw anything else he wanted to add.

He ended up working on it a few more times and really looking at his piece and Starry Night.

He said, “Mom, my painting doesn’t look just like Starry Night but I love it so much!”.

He was so proud of his sculptures and loved, loved, loved painting them while he looked at the originals for color ideas.

We have already dived into week two with Teresa McFayden studying under the works of Pablo Picasso.

I can’t wait to show you what creations come out of Picasso as our inspiration.

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Vincent Van Gogh: Portrait of an Artist

Usborne The Children’s Book of Art

Vincent’s Colors

Van Gogh: Art Activity Pack

Van Gogh: Getting To Know The World’s Greatest Artists

Vincent Van Gogh: Sunflowers and Swirly Stars

Katie and the Starry Night

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You can still register for Studying Under The Masters {portraits and self-portraits}.

This 6 week online art course is $62 and the videos are available for 2 years.

To register please click HERE.

For people that are not already in the site here are directions:

To take a class on Jeanne Oliver’s creative network please follow these instructions:

1. Become a member of jeanneoliver.ning.com (this is free)

2. Once your membership is approved you can watch free art videos, the popular free interview series Creativity Takes Courage and even pay for more in depth courses.

3. Want to take an online course?  We currently offering 30 courses and free videos and you can find them all along the left hand side of the main page under “Courses”.  If you do not see the course you are looking for please click the “View all” at the bottom of the list.

4. Click on the course you are interested in, click the +join in the upper right hand corner, pay and you will be instantly in the course.

5. If you have ANY questions please email jeanneoliverdesigns@gmail.com

You can also pay using the Paypal button below…




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Registration has just opened for Lifebook 2015!

You can join 24 other artists and me for all of 2015 for a year a creative journaling, connection, encouragement, and creativity!

Come on over and check out all of the details and get ready for a creative 2015!

I hope to see you in class!

If you sign up using the links on my blog I will receive a portion of your registration fee.

If you are signing up through me I would just love to say thank you!

I can’t wait to see you in class and creative with you during my week in Lifebook 2015.