Language and art have both served as tools for communication. As human society advanced, language became a type of art—the "art of...

China-born and China raised, I have some understanding about why Chinese parents send their kids to art classes. Some of the most common thoughts around it are: Most painters spent their lives in poverty and only became famous after they died—some even went crazy and cut off their ears. But it's useful, as it could help the kids get into a better university with less-than-ideal academic results. “I've never thought about this thing called art, but other people's kids are doin

Picasso famously said, “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” Yet the sad reality is that lots of art teachers spend their time teaching kids how to draw like adults. One especially notorious practice—widely criticised by art educators is the so-called “stick-figure drawing” method. In Chinese, there's a distinct name for it "简笔画”(Jian Bi Hua), which simply means simplified drawing. It's quick and easy as ABC, and was developed to

Speaking about Picasso, most people think about his famous paintings, such as Les Demoiselles d’Avignon , Guernica , or The Weeping...

“I never paint dreams or nightmares. I paint my own reality.” Frida Kahlo A while back, a parent told me she was worried about her daughter’s artistic abilities. “I feel like she lacks imagination,” she said. This parent isn’t alone in her concern about her child’s creativity. Many parents seem to share the same misconception about what imagination means for children. To me, a child’s imagination isn’t necessarily about creating something fantastical or surreal. Unlike adults

"Life really does begin at 40. Up until then, you are just doing research."— Carl Jung ​ I’m Faye. I’m a mother, a cat lover, and someone...

Art is a way of being. In Aboriginal Australian languages, there’s no direct equivalent for the word "art," yet it isn’t separate from...

One of the most common questions I get from parents is, "What course do you offer? Do you teach watercolour, oil painting, or sketching?" If I had to name the kind of art course I offer, I’d call it an art nurturing class. It’s not structured around teaching specific skills, or a particular theme—instead, it’s about providing inspiration, and allowing kids to explore their own interests, discover their preferred styles and materials, and develop organically. When they reach a

Qiyuan, 6 years old Picasso once said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is, how do they remain an artist once they grow up?" This...