56 Easels: What do They Tell Us about Creativity?

Five-ish things you need to know about me before we begin: 

1. I LUV COLOR!

2. I LUV to be creative!!!!! 

2b. I LUV to observe/support/encourage creativity! 

3. In an earlier century I was an elementary school art teacher. 

4. Currently I make school visits as an author/illustrator of picture books. 

5. One of my favorite numbers is 56. 

{I am going to ask you a question regarding this next photo. So look closely, so you're ready for my inquiry. You will receive extra credit if you answer 'correctly.'}  

On my very first mainland school visit of this year, walking into my very first classroom for my very first photographic peek, I was graced with this delight above unfolding in real time. I seriously wanted to pinch myself over my good fortune: to see this moment transpiring with camera in hand? Oh happy day! I did indeed have to pinch my lips together to quiet the happy squeal that was bubbling up from my heart so as not to intrude on this singular juncture of brush on paper. 

Such focus. Such concentration. Such determination. Such vision. Such purpose. Such boldness. Such precision. Such mastery. Such creativity. Such curls!

Such a fortunate child to have the opportunity to explore with paint. All the requisites provided: easel, paint, paper, brush, smock and *T*I*M*E*!

AND DID YOU GET A GOOD LOOK AT THAT EASEL? 

If you can tell me all about the easel above give yourself that extra credit.

No? Didn't notice the easel? Scroll back. I'll wait for you. Be a good sport, if you were thinking about the grasp of that paint brush -- pat yourself on the back. You were certainly observant, too. Just that today we're on the easel channel. 

Drumroll........ now we're ready for my quiz question: 

What does the easel pictured above 'tell' you? 

BTW. This is not a true/false quiz. Think of my question as more of an essay-Rorschach type inquiry. What can you learn about a classroom by looking at the easel? What does the easel make you wonder? 

Again. Let me say I have no right or wrong answer to the above quiz question..... unless you say, "My child's classroom does NOT have an easel." That is the only WRONG answer. 

It takes me a while to cull back through years of photographs to select the ones specific to the RoundUP at hand. While I was gathering these first 56, my blogging buddy Cathy over at NurtureStore, across the pond asked the question, "How do you use your easel?"

It was too funny that I was on the EXACT same channel - 

at the same time! 

How do you use your easel?

I hope there's an easel available for the very youngest artists!

At the beginning of the year? 

There are easels in classrooms that are totally 

CLEAN-ity-CLEAN-CLEAN-CLEAN!

Pristine clean. 

Like freshly fallen snow. 

Awaiting artists. 

Awaiting mark-makers. 

There is obviously one train of thought that says:  

'cover' the easel 

(with bags, or plastic wrap or tin foil) 

but see if you can keep it clean! 

I saw this next double easel in Reggio Emilia, Italy! 

LUV the paper on a roll over the work space! 

Reggio-esque centers are recognizable for their documentation of the creative process. 

These photographs of young artists were on display in a hallway, 

for parents to appreciate and for children to remember the process!

Another train of thought seems to imply, 

that the art that remains ON the easel is part of the creative process ahead! 

OK. 

Have to admit. 

I'm a fan of the expressionist easel-as-painting.

I absolutely ADORE the remnants of creativity left behind. 

Evidence. Inspiration. A starting point. 

My personal feeling is that a 'messy' easel implies that it is indeed AOK to go at it! 

Don't be too concerned that we're gonna be all fussy if things get messy. 

That's just me. 

This easel says, "WOWOWOW! That was fun!"

Yes. I'm fluent in easel dialects.

Tis true. There are chalkboard easels that get painted: oops. 

Here's an absolute BEAUTY! 

I swear. You could put a frame around this one and sell it! 

Maybe when I retire I will seek easel boards, frame them and sell the finished work to contemporary galleries. 

Here's another for my contemporary gallery.

LUV this combination of linear and circular!

Then again, an easel can become a perch for other educational learning to unfold. 

Easels can easily act as billboards and signage...

especially in an Art room! 

Here are three more examples ready to be framed! 

Which one is your favorite? 

I think it is safe to assume that these last several easels have years of accumulated focus,

years of expression, 

years worth of joy!

From the beginnings of children to the conclusions of the professional, 

Having a spot to work is a critical piece of the equation. 

I hope that I've attracted some fellow keepers of the creative. 

Let me give you some links to earlier articles to support your efforts.

All you need to do is click the image to go to the article. 

Yes. This is all a labor of LUV. 

I'm hoping that you'll be willing to investigate my picture books. 

The illustrations that I create from fabric as small quilts

are the springboard to children's art projects. 

They are each available at my own website as well as 

my store at Teachers Pay Teachers. 

Wanna peak inside my little studio? 

Most of my traffic here comes by way of your pin-to-Pinterest. 

Thanks for every pin!

A sincere thanks! 

Here's the direct link to my Pinterest account. 

I now have 165,000 followers of my collection!

I have done some advance shopping for you over at Amazon.
By beginning your shopping from my affiliate link you support my work here.
Thanks for shopping from my starting point.
~~ Debbie~~