Rachelle Doorley – The Art Habit | Spring 2017 (TinkerLab 2020)

Class Overview

Each week also includes two art prompts and a supply list. Schedule is subject to change

Week 1: Introductions, Set an Intention, Wishes and Dreams

Week 2: Build an Art Habit, Set up and organize your art space

Week 3: Process Art, Set up Successful Provocations

Week 4: How to talk to children about their art

Week 5: Sensory Experiences

Week 6: Loose Parts

Week 7:, How to Keep Children Engaged

Week 8: Artistic Development

Week 9: Saving, Storing, and Sharing Art

Week 10: Collaboration and Art Games

Who this class is for:

• Families who want an art plan of weekly activities that children will enjoy
• Parents who can commit to one art session each week.
• Parents who feel rushes and not well organized in their art efforts
• Preschool educators who want to learn more about open-ended art experiences
• Families who want fresh ideas to inspire their children
• Busy families who want their children to experience the joy of art-making
• Home educators who want to enjoy spending art time with their children
• Parents who want to supplement a school art curriculum
• Parents who don’t feel artistic and want inspiration

This class is not for:

• Parents or teachers who want cookie-cutter crafts that all look alike
• Anyone who doesn’t value process-oriented art experiences, self-expression, or curiosity
• Those who cannot invest two hours a week on art-making

What you will need:

• An email account.
• Internet connection to download materials.
• 1-3 hours each week for set up and clean up.
• A space to make art. This doesn’t have to be fancy. It could be a table, floor, patio, or countertop.
• Basic art supplies. A supply list will be sent to you ahead of time. You will probably have most of these supplies already. There will be some specialty supplies and I often include ideas on cost-conscious variations. I interviewed past participants and the cost is between $5 and $60, depending on what supplies you already have. The supplies you invest in can be used over and over again.
• A willingness to support process-based art making through play and experimentation
• A Facebook account (not required) to join the private Facebook group.

FAQ’s

What ages is this designed for？

Families with children ages 2 and up. 2-7 is the sweet spot, but children younger than 2 and older than 7 can also benefit from this. I’ve seen high school kids (and adults) who crave an authentic connection to art-making deeply enjoy and make meaning from these projects.

My kids aren’t in preschool. Will these activities appeal to them?

The ideal age for these activities falls into the range of age 2 – 7. However, I’ve even seen adults try all of these activities with great success. Because they are process-oriented, these projects meet the artist wherever they are. More experienced makers will simply bring more ideas to the table.

If I have a child older than seven, will this work for us?

I will include tips on how to scale the projects for different ages. Kids older than seven can get a lot out of this, and you may have to help them develop a process-art mindset.

What supplies will I need?

You’ll receive a full list of supplies about a week before we begin making art. You’ll be surprised to find that many of the supplies are already in your home and I’ve intentionally curated activities that are low cost. Supplies can be gathered locally or via provided Amazon links.

I’m a teacher. Can I join? And can I get professional development credit?

Yes, teachers are most welcome as many teachers find these activities are wonderful additions to the classroom, library, or after school program. The curriculum is designed for the home environment, but teachers have taken the class and enjoyed it. The class is ideal for teachers who don’t have much experience with open-ended art prompts. If you participate in The Art Habit I can offer a certificate of completion for 20 hours or coursework. We are not ACE accredited, so please check with your school to ensure this certificate will work for your situation.

My space is not set up for this! Are we ready for this?

Please trust me when I say that your space is good enough. Our family of four lives in a tiny cottage and if we can make it work, so can you! Art making can happen just about anywhere: coffee table, the floor, dining table, counter top, balcony, patio, blanket set up on a lawn. Just to name a few! Although my kids once had a dedicated art table, they would make art just about everywhere else. Just pick a spot to start with, clear a little room to store basic art supplies.

Can I invite a friend to join me?

Yes! That’s a great idea. I love having accountability partners because they keep me going and I love to see how friends interpret the same prompts. Simply send them a link to his page and invite them to join us!

What if I’ll be on vacation during the course?

Don’t worry! You will have access to the content for the lifetime of the course, and you’ll be able to download most of the materials so you could even take them with you on vacation.

What kind of projects are included?

Drawing, Sculpture, Painting, Building, Printmaking, Sensory Experiences

How much time will this take?

The more time you spend on this, the more you’ll get out of it. 😉 You will be expected to invest between 1 and 3 hours each week, erring on the side of more. The program will invite you to work on weekly written reflections and set up and run at least one art activity per week. If you have more time than that, I’ll include bonus activities for you to fill extra time with.

I work full time and feel overcommitted. Will this work for our family?

The Art Habit will help you establish a routine that works for your family by providing you with a plan that’s workable. This program is designed to make things feel lighter, not heavier. What’s important is that you find a flow that feels good and sustainable. I will encourage you to take control of the things that are within your control, and release those things that are not. We will work on finding the right time to set activities up and work on rules for clean up that will help keep things more sane on your end. Again, this is also where having a plan can help.

Will this work be frame-worthy?

While the process-based projects will engage your child’s heart and mind, the end product may or may not be frame worthy. You will decide! With young children especially, I encourage a healthy diet of process-based, intuitive art making experiences that celebrate material exploration. Follow your child’s curiosities and you will be rewarded by the gift of their imagination.

What will we gain from this experience?

Your child will experiment with a large variety of art materials, which will build creative confidence, your family will spend meaningful time together, you will feel how light and easy art making can be with the help of a plan and supply list, and you will have fun! We will also set personal intentions so that you can grow this experience in a way that’s meaningful to you and your family.

Will I be expected to help my child make art?

Even if you don’t consider yourself creative, I would encourage you to try these projects with your child. Not only are they fun and low-impact, but you will also be a great risk-taking role model for your child. If you’re more comfortable setting up the project and then watching from the side, these projects will also work for you. They are designed for ages 2 and up. If you have a young toddler or early walker, they could be engaged with a bit of help from you. Otherwise, children should be able to access these activities without too much assistance from you.

Will we have fun?

That’s the name of the game! My goal is to help you have a great time. If you find that The Art Habit isn’t for you, I will offer you your money back within the first 10 days of the program. Win-win.

How long do I have access to the course?

How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like – across any and all devices you own.

When does the course start and finish?

The course starts on April 24 and runs through June 30. Once you enroll, you can download materials and the content is yours forever. If you choose to go at your own pace, you can complete the course on your own schedule.

What if I am unhappy with the course?

We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 15 days of the course start date and we will give you a full refund.