Here are a few points that describe the ideas behind my art projects.

I simply love the way children draw, paint, stitch, decorate, doodle, and create. Adults try to recreate that look in their own art (just look in any craft magazine) but can't come close to what a child can do naturally. Only a child can do this, which is why I am constantly trying to capture it in art projects that can't be ignored, stored, or tossed in a pile.

My ideas are project-based, but not closed-ended. I plan on and encourage a variety of end results. Always, without exception, there was that moment of "oh...ok...so this is how these are going to turn out" when trying a new project with a group of children. The end result was always different than what I had originally planned. No problem. But my point is that there was an end result in mind, not just the exploration of art materials. Children should have plenty of time for free drawing and painting, but once in a while it's important to do something really nice with your child that will decorate your home for years to come. That's where I come in.

I never try to teach a child how to paint or draw the world around them. I don't want to change anything about how they want to put their marks down on paper. Their marks are little glimpses into how they think. Their doodles are just as important as photographs in terms of recording their development.

All of my projects meet the following criteria:

1. The project has to have a "no-fail" outcome. However the child executes his or her portions of the project, the project will be a success.

2. The project, once completed, will be display-ready. Usually the piece will be either 5"x7" or 8"x10" so it can fit into a standard frame. If the project doesn't fit in a frame then I include an alternative method of displaying the piece, like adding a loop for hanging. If the project is a piece of wall art then it is always on a piece of mat board or foam core. (I couldn't live without my free goodies from the frame shop.) Everything else will stand on it's own on a shelf or table for display.

3. The project has an element of choice. It is important for the child to be able to choose the elements that go into his or her project. You, the parent, will be able to control the choices, but the child needs to be able to make he project his own through choice.

4. The project includes a variety of mediums. The combination of materials and mediums make each project interesting and eye-catching. Adding another layer, taking the piece a little further, pulling together interesting textures is the key to great art projects.