"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." - Picasso

"I already know how to draw" was Tai Pi's answer to me when I asked if she would like to go for art lessons. Pumpkin, who aspires to be an artist, had asked to be enrolled for art classes and I thought it would be a good idea for all three girls to go since they all love to draw and paint.

With art school on my mind, I walked about a neighbourhood mall which has many enrichment centres for kids, and I came across a new art studio "where children's voice find a place in art", a studio that respects children's unique ways of looking at things. The studio is run by a lady who believes that every child is an artist but that children often have their in-born artistic talent killed by art teachers who dictate what a beautiful piece of art should look like. I hadn't thought about this before but it made a lot of sense to me. Would Salvador Dali have produced the sort of surrealistic art he did if his art teacher told him it looked odd and wasn't beautiful? Each great artist has his own style and that's what I feel is important - for the girls to develop their own unique artistic style and produce art pieces that are truly original.

And now I realise why the art pieces you see at children's art competitions are always so alike. But of course... those kids go to art school where they are taught - here's how you draw a girl, here's how you draw a horse, etc. Take a look at these two drawings of an ox by two different kids attending the same art school. Don't they look suspiciously similar? I suppose that's what teacher says an ox looks like and should be drawn. I must say the drawings are competent in the sense of being aesthetically pleasing but they are not original and are not a true expression of the children's perception of the world.



The girls have gone for three lessons so far, where they are taught techniques and introduced to different media but are not told what to draw or how they should draw or what media they should use. I'm really glad to have found this art studio that nurtures the artist in the child. And yes Tai Pi, you are right - you do already know how to draw!