So what do you do with all the reams of artworks and creations that your child brings you from playgroup, kinder, school?
Upcycle : use it as gifts, incorporate it in other things – decorations, embellishments, wrapping paper, book covers, gorgeous book pages, picture/photo mounts etc. Take a look at what the delightful Sarah Jane has done with some of her kids paintings here.
Re-cycle : in the recycle bin to go back to nature, or to be used at home as table protectors, to have additional artwork drawings or embellishments added to it to further enhance it and extend the creative flow.
Kids are seldom attached to the outcome, the process of creating is the joy they take. So take a photo of them holding their art work, ask them to tell you the story of the art and write it in a photo journal and then let it go.
There will always be a few favourites and of course they are the keepers. But most of the works can be repurposed – take a photo, scan the item if possible or desired, and don’t get too bogged down in clutter.
Fabulous! We use some of our artwork for wrapping paper but didn’t really have any other ideas. I like how you talk about the process as it is extremely important and I love the idea of recording what they have to say about the process or the finished piece. Gives it so much more meaning. I’ve always photographed all of my daughter’s art but since she’s started 3 year old kinder this year I’m photographing each piece she brings home and will be making a photo book at the end of the year with it all in. I think i’ll do one every single year for all the artwork she does at school but for the art she does at home, i’ll definitely be starting to record what she has to say about it. Thanks for the idea. Debs