If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it…well, several times.  I’m not naturally an arts and crafts mommy.  When I think about whipping out the art supplies my first thought is – mess.  My second thought – what will we make? My poor hands-on-learner longs for art, passionately and we don’t do enough.  I think that’s about to change! 

Our family recently received a copy of Brenda Ellis’ Artistic Pursuits, Grades K-3 Book One, An Introduction to the Visual Arts and I’m in love!  Into the sky, fly over the moon, in love with this curriculum that makes a complete art education within grasp for every homeschooling family.  This plastic-bound, 88 page, full-colour, all-in-one text is penned, and illustrated by Brenda Ellis; a talented artist and long-time homeschooling mother.  Her homeschooling experience shines through each and every page. 

So often it’s not the content that counts, but the organization and ease of use for busy mothers.  Ellis has it all – beautiful content, a text that is self-teaching (you read it to your little ones- all instructions included from tool use to project choices), organized material lists, and short lesson lengths. 

Lessons break down into approximately five to ten minutes of parental presentation, 30 to 60 minutes of art project time that the student completes independently, and optional exercises that will take longer and require some parental planning and participation.  Although your child can complete the art projects independently – the instructions are clear and simple while producing real art – you might find yourself joining in, the program is just so fun and user-friendly.

Thirty-two lessons are included that could be used weekly.  As an introduction to the visual arts three major sections are taught: “What Artists Do”, What Artists See and Where We Find Art. Each lesson is either three pages or one page in length.  The longer lessons include an introduction to the concept being taught – for example “Artists Look: Observe things in the world”, an illustrative painting by Ellis, an optional exercise (these are more in depth and can take additional time), an art appreciation or art history page that includes a master artwork with highlights and observation questions for discussion, and the art project for your child to complete with an example of finished art from a real K-3 student.  The one-page lessons include the concept introduction, project, and master artwork without the in-depth analysis.

In the first section “What Artists Do”, Ellis introduces children to the activities artists participate in, and the subjects they work from.  Composing, imagining, landscapes, portraits and many others are discussed in six 3 page lessons and four 1 page lessons.  In “What Artists See” Ellis focuses upon how ‘seeing’ is a vital skill to an artists – lines, countour drawing, form, colour and more are explored in four 3 page lessons and three 1 page lessons. 

The third section “Where We Find Art” was my absolute favourite, and my five-year-old daughter’s as well.  Today we were flipping through the book, reading about art history, discussing cultural implications and remarking in awe.  Tonight she asked me to read some of the art book following our bedtime story because it was, “So very interesting.”  A chronological art history for children is begin in this first book for K-3 and continued in the second and third series titles.  We find cave art through to Greek sculpture and book illumination in the Middle Ages with everything in between.  The projects in this section are all inspired by the historical artwork examined.  Oh, I can’t express how easy it is to incorporate art history with actual art instruction with this resource – be still my heart!

As a Christian Ellis avoids “millions of years ago” references, and rather relies upon statements claiming that the cave art found in France is some of the world’s oldest discovered art.  Periods of art history with significant relevance to Christians are included and their impact upon people of faith briefly explored.  While not primarily a “Christian art program” this warm, natural inclusion is so reassuring and supportive of the beliefs of Christian homeschoolers.

As the program requires no advance teacher planning, the most complicated part is assembly your art supplies.  The Artistic Pursuits website offers helpful advice on choosing quality supplies (when quality counts and when it isn’t vitally important), as well as pre-assembled packages of supplies, and links to discount art dealers with recommended item numbers and preset packages available online for US customers.  The prices given will help you to budget accordingly for supplies.  The full supply list is included in the front of the manual, and is broken down into groupings: Group 1 – Drawing, Group 2 – Painting, Group 3 – Paper Art and Group 4 – Clay.  With each lesson Ellis notes which group to grab, how beautiful!  Just grab your group 1 bin when indicated, possibly some supplementary household items and you’re doing art!

Now what about the art projects themselves?  This isn’t a How to Draw Animals style title, it actually delves into forming the mind and skills an artist requires to create from their experiences.  Tools are introduced, general project suggestions and instruction are given, but the subject matter and topic are chosen by the student, allowing his/her creative talent to bloom and grow.  The main concept here is avoiding a focus upon end results, our children are young and the only way they will learn artist through doing art – using quality materials, picking engaging subjects and getting down to it.  Keep art fun, focus on the process and praise the art your child creates.

I’m looking forwarding to including Artistic Pursuits in our homeschooling plan for years to come.  Based upon the excitement the program has created in our home, we may need more than one book a year!  Thankfully you can find the entire range of non-consumable Artistic Pursuits titles (K-12) at the official Artistic Pursuits website for $42.95/title– don’t miss the full-colour sample pages and table of contents available there, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Store, and various retailers internationally.  One of my favourite Canadian homeschooling suppliers (CHER) carries the line for $47.95/book CAD, hallelujah!  Who knew art could be so exciting?  Hands-down the best art curriculum I’ve seen to date.

You can find reviews of the entire Artistic Pursuits series of K-12 art curricula at The Old Schoolhouse Homeschool Crew blog.