A few years back, 6-year old Daisy marched up to me before class, “I have figured it out, Mrs. Ward!”

“What’s that?” I asked, having no idea the direction of this conversation.

“Everything is art!”  She beamed at me like she had figured out the entire reason for our existence.

Well, in a way, she had.

That statement, so simple and yet profound, makes perfect sense to me.  Anything and everything IS art.  I often think about that statement and wonder how a little one could get it so right.  But then again, the master painters have always understood…

 “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” -Pablo Picasso

Some adults manage to keep the flame of creativity alive. Look at Lego artist Nathan Sawaya.  He was a lawyer before he discovered his inner artist. He had to find it (like Dorthy in the Wizard of Oz!).

And you just have to peruse Pinterest to see the multitudes of pencil shavings turned into mini-masterpieces! 

I thought dryer lint was destined for the trash can, but a quick search told me I was wrong!  Heidi Hooper does AMAZING work with dryer lint! 

Everything IS ART! I love that motto! 

But lately, little Daisy’s words got me thinking…what if she meant everything IS art and not everything CAN BE art.  Uh- oh, left-brain taking over…

I had to think about this…flowers make seeds which grow into flowers.  An engineer designed the computer, tablet or phone we are using right now.  What you are wearing was designed and created by someone...  Our homes, our cars, our tools – all designed and created. 

So yes, in the literal sense if one thinks anything created is art, then everything IS art. Whew – left brain satisfied! 

PROJECT TIME! Look what my second grade students did during remote learning. You can do this too!

The opportunities for creativity are ENDLESS. What about photographing kitchen utensils and pans for art for your kitchen?

Or photographing pictures on vacation for a one-of-a-kind souvenir? Beach pictures! City pictures!

What a cute baby gift! You could photograph letters of baby gear!

So it’s your turn. Everything it ART! What will you do?

Happy Creating! -Amy

Difficulty: Easy - Medium (depends on what you are photographing!) Time: Varies (depends on the hunt!) Cost: Inexpensive

Materials: Camera or phone

Directions:

1. Pick something to photograph that looks like a letter. Ideas: toys, cars, kitchen stuff, tools, sports gear, animals, art supplies…

2. Get up close and frame the letter.

3. Pay attention to the background of what you are photographing.

4. Make sure there is contrast between your letter and the background.

5. After you have several letters, crop to make them all the same size.

6. Send to your favorite photo printing service.

7. Frame and hang!

TIP! Photograph a word or phrase rather than the whole alphabet. It’s an easier and more successful way to start!