Child's Own Studio, a name you should know!

If you know a child, love a child or simply want to give an amazing gift to a child, you need to know about Child's Own Studio. This clever artist makes your child's own drawings or paintings come to life as a cherished stuffed friend, sure to become an heirloom. And what better way to preserve that favorite art work that's been hanging on the fridge forever and a day. Here are some examples, but you can find more at the website, or join this clever artist on her page on Facebook, also named Child's Own Studio. Be sure to plan ahead of time as there's quite a waiting list, as you can imagine. What a better way to encourage a budding new artist!

Tag Sale Discovery!

A visit to a neighborhood tag sale reminded me of another great way to collect Real Art for Kids. There on the living room wall was an original Pamela Holeman acrylic on canvas painting (48" x 36") for sale. Holeman's women were well known in the 1960's through the 1990's for their gorgeous juxtaposition of patterns and painterly colors. This painting was no exception. The reclining woman was wearing a lovely white on white dress trimmed with lace. She was resting on a multicolored quilt against a stunning background of peach tulips, white hydrangea and lavender bluebells. Although the painting was signed with the artist's last name on the front, and her full name, painting title, date, location and hanging instructions on the back, the price tag affixed by the resale company was a fraction of the real value.
Pamela Holeman was a Silvermine Guild artist in the 1970's and her work was frequently shown there, as well as at prominent galleries. I was able to buy this painting for 1/3 of the tag sale company's asking price so I hope my granddaughter, who has been quilt making since the age of 8, likes it. If not it will go into the galley at a great price for all!

Sculpture in The Garden Show

The Sculpture in The Garden Show is almost here!
Mark down Saturday, June 11th and Sunday June 12th in your calendars. I'm introducing three new artists who, relying almost entirely on recycled materials, have created some remarkable works of art. And the regular crew, whom you've come to expect, will be bringing tantalizing new pieces.

William Brock will be returning from Tennessee, and his birds, seen above, were one of the highlights of the show last year. Wait till you see what I've collected for this year!

Birds, fish, masks, stone sculpture, robots, musicians, and horses by the brilliant sculptor, Joe DeMarco, whirligigs by Sonny Cardinelli, odd birdhouses, and even handmade and quite quirky dolls by Sandy Mastroni will be offered. You will now be able to order handcrafted metal stands for the popular stone heads, should you want to bring them inside. Mine stay out all year and give the garden interest even in the winter. (We won't always get 64 inches of snow!)

This year, to mix things up a bit, Maishe Dickman is showing his elegant redware pottery, which has made the cover of Ceramics Monthly.

This is a fun visit for the whole family and it opens the children's eyes to all the possibilities of recycling materials,.

9am to 4pm each day

See you there!

Bev

New Bedford Whaling Museum

With fascinating films depicting the history of whaling, as well as huge skeletons of whales hanging overhead, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, in Massachusetts, is a splendid destination for parents and their curious kids. The cobblestone streets downtown lead to an ancient harbor and best of all, the Museum itself. From Sailors Valentines constructed from a myriad of shells to the best collection of Scrimshaw ever, this museum will delight the whole family and give a wonderful opportunity to discuss life aboard a whaling ship. Have art supplies ready because this trip will fire up imaginations and lead to some wonderful projects. The kids can collect shells from the seashore (or buy a small bag of more exotic shells in the gift shop) and cover small boxes. For an overnight stay, there are wonderful B&B's in the area in whaling mansions, as well as hotels with pools. Now I sound like a travel agent, but this is an exciting stopover for all.

A New World of Curiouser and Curiouser for Your Kids

Sandy Mastroni worked for years as a decorative painter, often turning old, unappreciated furniture into stunning pieces garlanded with wisteria and hydrangea. But in private she had notebook upon notebook which she filled with images that haunted her, danced in her head and intrigued her. Finally she put aside the decorative painting and attended to her fantasies, to the delight of a growing audience. Although her paintings are in major collections, galleries and museums, they are still affordable, and are appreciated by adults and children alike. My own grandchildren cherish their Mastroni paintings and yours would as well. Check out other Mastroni works of art here under the New Artists button.

Photography is Art

Why not hang family photographs in a child's room as an introduction to the art world? A casual, as well as a more formal, image can work beautifully. The kids can be involved in choosing the picture, as well as picking an appropriate mat and/or frame. My four year old grandson makes marvelous photographs......his eye view is just right for capturing unique angles. His father took fantastic photos of Pompeii when he was the same age. No one had quite captured the ruins from such a low, but powerful angle before! Photography is art, after all, and now is a great time to make wonderful memories, as well as honing your young photographer's eye.

Wear a Peg Wednesday! What a great Idea!

Pegs are clothespins, and the deal is to decorate one with your kids, and wear it on Wednesday, December 23rd, to remind the world to be a nicer place. The poster from Well H. Teddy explains it all.

Mr. X is Gerald Thornton

Gerald Thornton is a man who deeply cares about history, equality, his family and art. When he lived nearby, he was always working on an art project of some kind. He signed his work "X" to align himself with the nameless slaves who were ripped from their families and their culture and brought to a new world. Mr. Thornton used materials which were at hand and many of his most magical works had elements of collage worked into the art. Gold and silver foil was used for the medals of Haile Selassie, a powerful painting that I still cannot get out of my mind after not seeing it for decades!

But if you ask your parents to take you to the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, you can see his "Flag Funeral", which proudly takes it's place among other masterpieces in the show, Life, Liberty & The Pursuit of Happiness, curated by Roger Manley. The somber widow and her child fall in step behind the flag draped coffin, while an invisible jazz group leads the way to the cemetery. Mr. Thornton is a man who continues to celebrates life, and he now lives in a new town with his new wife, and continues to make wonderful art. This lovely painting is available for sale and will be released in a year when the show comes down.

Real Art for Real Kids!!!!!

Bird houses equal art in England! A Challenge....

In exploring the bird houses created by genius designer, sculptor, painter and " inky wings" herself, Judith McNicol, kids can learn that art can be found anywhere. They might even be motivated to try it themselves, which is a splendid reaction to this whimsical and refreshing sculpture by one of England's most imaginative artists. And the birds which approach such houses, well they too poke at the imagination of kids and parents alike. Could you, would you Sam I am? Try making houses out of twisted grapevines, bittersweet, sunflowers, or what have you. And send me pictures at Beverlyskaye@aol.com. I'll post the best on this blog!

Philosophy and real art for kids.........

Amy Leask has a spectacular site whose mission is to "introduce kids (and the adults they run with) to the wonderful world of Philosophy." It's called kidsthinkaboutit

Children are challenged to think about:

• What is real? What exists?
• What makes a human? Is it our minds, our bodies, or a combination of the two?
• How do we gain knowledge and understanding? Is it with our senses, our minds, or something else?
• How can we be sure that something is true?
• What is the difference between the good life and the bad life?
• How can we decide on the right thing to do?
• What does it mean for something to be beautiful?
  Ahhh, now you get why this link is on my site! I, too, ask kids to try to figure out what beauty is, in it's endless forms, and to decipher which of those forms they relate to the most. It's a wonderful steppingstone to communication and reasoning and enlightenment.
  (The image above is an antique scale/fortune telling machine, which is now considered a form of folk art! Discuss amongst yourselves!

Paul Pitt redux.....barn discoveries

Paul Pitt's charming folk art paintings grace the walls of quite a few museums, as well as private collections. His paintings bring to mind Grandma Moses and times gone by. The paintings are gems, filled with detail that surprises you each time you look. So much to see which coaxes a smile to your face. A forage into a barn on his Connecticut property unearth a few vintage works, when his style was just emerging. These paintings are lovely and available for sale through the gallery here

Ivan Koota is a self-taught painter, but a retired pediatrician as well! He illustrates scenes from his beloved Brooklyn, NY heritage and relies on both memory and historical photographs for fodder. His charming paintings illustrate a time gone by, and will pull at the heartstrings and memories of all who have experienced this same past. Here's a bit from the painters own voice.....

"Most of my paintings focus on neighborhoods and the “simple” events of daily Brooklyn life like shopping, children at play, sports, family entertainment, etc. Simple yes…but it’s the stuff that made special the vibrant and nurturing family neighborhoods of Brooklyn either before or during the 25 years I lived there and happily continue to the present. My work also includes prominent Brooklyn sites like parks and important buildings.

In April, 1996, I had my first solo exhibit at the Frank Miele gallery in NYC. Since then I have been in several solo and group shows. In 1998 my painting of Ebbets Field titled “Before the Game” was exhibited at the Fenimore Art Museum in Cooperstown, NY."

Dr. Koota's list of honors is great, but the paintings tell the better story for children of all ages. I hope you enjoy these extraordinary paintings.

Real art for and by real kids......

Kieron Williamson is a six year old child from the UK who paints like a pro. Your own children probably also have turned out a masterpiece or two. Why not honor one of the best with a lovely matt and frame? Real art for real kids, by real kids! The encouragement will go far, and who knows what lurks in the heart of kids? Click on the title to read more about this amazing young artist.

Sandy Mastroni charms all ages.....

Sandy Mastroni, who used to paint furniture, now devotes all her time to painting wonderful, whimsical and some what mysterious artworks. Although she is in permanent museum collections, her works are still very accessible for young and old alike. There often are cats......Sandy has given home to a variety of them and they are very prevalent in her work. She also is drawn to Alice in Wonderland type characters so there are plenty of queens, bunnies, and the like. All of them are charming and if you click on the title of this piece you will see many more new works recently posted on my website, www.artbrut.com.

Gardening with kids and art?

This summer is a great time to teach the kids to eat local, and what better way than in their own garden. Radishes come up immediately, and lettuce and tomatoes, peppers and eggplant follow in rapid succession. My own kids loved anything which grew on a vine, and pumpkins over took our lawn. Recycled sculpture made from old car and tractor parts coupled with old tools is the finishing touch!

"Alexandra Huber in America"......kiddies love her art....

Alexandra Huber's art attracts the kids because they get her and she gets them as well. She has never lost her childhood love of color and line, nor have the rules of art stifled her creativity. You know....the color inside the lines rule, and the grass is green rule, etc. Huber's work is exuberant and joyful, and very very collectable. Considering the fact she is an international star, the work is also very affordable. Recent European shows were close to sell outs despite the economic climate they are suffering as well. There are many pages of her works illustrated when you click on the title link. Ask your kids to tell you what they see and enjoy the viewing!

Junk yard sculpture....the kids love it!

The lawn was filled with horses, dancers, musicians, a moose, giant sunflowers, robots and tin men, all made out of recycled trash. Old car parts, pieces from motorcycles, tractors and tools were morphed into this visually stunning collection of sculpture at the annual Sculpture in the Garden Show in CT. The kids loved it and so did their parents!

Paintings to grow up with........

I just picked up these charming paintings by Sandy Mastroni. Her work is in the Hurn Museum and she's represented by many top galleries in the US. And yet most of these works are priced at under $325. They will be cherished for years to come. Within a few weeks they will be posted on my website.....you get a first peek!

The road to Brimfield......

Cher Shaffer from Appalachia, not only paints wonderful portraits, she also creates dolls which are sophisticated and charming. Here are three which might show up at the Brimfield Show next week in Massachusetts. If you've never attended, this is a show for the entire family. Over 6,000 dealers in farmer's fields stretching over 1 1/2 miles along Route 20 in Brimfield, MA. show up three times a year for a week of antiques, folk art, pottery, jewelry, furniture from all periods, collectibles, and stuffed chickens, I kid you not! Everything under the sun is displayed here, and many collections have been built from discoveries in these fields. One of my cousins, whose home has been featured in county living books, filled her rooms over the years with Brimfield finds. You and your kids will love this adventure. Bring water, hats, cell phones, a bag to put treasures in, and wear comfortable shoes. Sturbridge Village is 5 miles away....another must stop for the family. Let the collecting begin!

American Indian pottery.....a wonderful start

Traditional Pueblo Indian pottery is a fascinating collectable, which captures the imagination of children as well as their parents. Clay collected from the individual pueblos in New Mexico, is then refined by mixing with water, dried, and mixed again. Old broken pieces called shards are crushed, both for stability and  tradition, and incorporated into the clay. Then the process of coiling begins  and the pots take shape. After they have dried, paint made from color taken from special local rocks and vegetation, is applied, dried, burnished with a smooth rock, and fired over dried cow dung. Primitive, filled with spirit and history, and beautiful results are pulled from the fire, and are cherished for a lifetime. Most traditional Pueblo Indians are buried with a pot to this day. Here are three examples which might appeal to kids, and many more are available if you click on the icon of a pot here at Beverly Kaye Gallery.