Nurture the inner artist in your teen by cultivating their love of art. Our teens need encouragement on their artist journey, and who better to encourage them than YOU the parent.
“Artists create things that that point us to beauty, to truth, to God.”
~ Katherine Reay
One thing your aspiring artist must understand is the fact that their creativity comes from and is inspired by God. He is the Ultimate Artist, the Creator of Beauty. In order to truly create art that points to beauty and truth, an artist should acknowledge this.
And what better way to nurture one’s inner artist than by communing with the Creator?
As your teen begins identifying him- or herself as an artist, begins to set aside a regular artistic practice, and develops more and more in processes and techniques, encourage them not to forget from Whom those precious gifts come. I firmly believe the more they begin to acknowledge the Lord in their abilities and talents, the further He will help them grow.
Another way your teen can nurture the inner artist is to speak positively about themselves and their creative and artistic gifts. What they believe and say about themselves is vitally important. So, I’ve compiled a list of 10 creative affirmations for teens to speak about themselves on a regular basis. They could read and speak these each morning, or before they begin their “studio time.”
There will be times when they face criticism of their artwork or encounter creative blocks. Here is a post to help them overcome creative blocks, and here’s one to help them deal with criticism of their art.
And don’t forget about the Artist Date, which we mentioned yesterday. It is a fabulous way to nurture one’s inner artist.
But to me, the most important way to nurture the inner artist is simply to make art. Let them draw, paint, sculpt, and create until their heart is content. Encourage them to produce the artwork that is down in the depths of their soul patiently waiting to be drawn out.
It may not come easily, but the more they create, the more will come, until eventually they will find their groove and understand how to draw upon the treasury within them!
This is Part Five in a series of five posts to assist you in Cultivating Your Teen’s Love of Art. Click here to read the entire series.
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