This week during our Nature Art Therapy sessions we were looking at circles in nature and I decided to share Kandinsky's wonderful colour study using Concentric Circles - a circle within a circle. I love to share other Artists work with my students both children and adults. Sharing the Artists work as an example - inspiration - a starting point for our very own exploration of colour and circles.
I rummaged around the house, searching for circular recycled materials I could let Elise play with and also offered her a handful of silver birch and apple wood tree discs (tree cookies - we slice whatever fallen branches are available).
Elise played with the different circles, making towers, exploring which circles could be placed within another. She rolled the circles and spun the circles. We began our art explorations first with water colour inks. Elise used varying sized glass jar lids and the sellotape disc to trace around and then free hand to create the smaller inner circles. The water coloured inks bled into one another creating a new colour. The paint brush moved easily across the smooth paper.
“The spirit, like the body, can be strengthened and developed by frequent exercise. Just as the body, if neglected, grows weaker and finally impotent, so the spirit perishes if untended” - Kandinsky
Nurturing the whole child - body mind heart and spirit
It was bitterly cold but the weather doesn't stop us from having our sessions outdoors. Elise wears gloves while she paints and we take breaks to run around in the forest to warm us up. A bald eagle lands on one of the trees below, near the lake - (hard to spot with the snowy hills) another sacred gift we are grateful for that day.
Elise discovers many circles as she plays among the trees. She made a circle using the carpet of pine needles as her canvas. She declared it was a pond and proceeded to place pincecone fish into the pond for the eagle to feed on.
We return to explore the texture of the tree circles. Some of the discs are smoother than others, some feel very rough. Elise decides the smooth side will be better to paint on.
Textures
Elsie decides to use the inks again. She has to press on her paint brush harder and use more ink as it soaks into the wood - this surface is very different to the paper.
An invitation to share stories
I love exploring different ways of how to tell stories through nature art. Storytelling is part of what makes us human. We are all storytellers and children, along with our Mother Earth are the best storytellers of all.
After the tree discs had dried I invited Elsie to use her Kandinsky inspired wooden circles to create a story. Providing a blank sheet of paper, Elise played with her circles, moving them around the paper, imagining what they could be. What circles are in nature?
We talked about Spring and she remembered the hungry caterpillar story and formed her colourful caterpillar across the page using her circles. She penciled in a head and antenna. WOW - So many circles in one little insect!
She then told me flowers have circles and drew some flowers, a ladybug and a beautiful glowing circular sunshine. She then adds to her story by telling me her caterpillar changes into a butterfly and she adds colourful wings - how magical!
“That is beautiful which is produced by the inner need, which springs from the soul” Kandinsky
Of-course whats so beautiful about this art activity is it's open-ended - Elise can remove her tree discs and create a brand new canvas, a brand new story or simply play, explore and create anything she so wishes - the possibilities are infinite!
Used candle holders offered more playful - creative exploration with colour and circles. This time I offered acrylic paint along with the other paints for her to explore - which paint would stay on the metal circles?
PLAY EXPLORE CREATE
I also found another wonderful circular item to recycle which I will share soon - I so love exploring new ideas and experimenting with new materials with my students - witnessing their abundant joy from playful, creative explorations - their souls being nurtured.
Play Explore Create
Wishing you all a playful and creative week, with love and gratitude Marghanita x
If you would like to learn more about our online Nature Art Program for Educators that features activities like this one, click here:
