Slow Schooling Chapter 17: The Fine Arts

On reflecting the Father's creative side

“Thank Goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality.”

Beatrix Potter

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Drawing.....or....How to Torture Your Kids

There was much weeping and gnashing of teeth this morning. We started our drawing lessons and you’d think I was asking my children to walk over hot coals in their bare tootsies.

I was quite nonchalant about the whole deal, and told them we were going to do some drawing lessons, which got the eager response I was hoping for. That response lasted until I gave them their initial assignments, which was to be baseline products to compare with later. OH, the gut-wretching cries! I can’t draw! It looks horrible! I want a bigger eraser! And, did I mention, I CAN’T DRAW!!

“The process of learning to draw creates quite a lot of mental conflict.”

Betty Edwards, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain

Well, yep. Sure does! And after going through the process, the thought that stu…