Children's Artwork . . . keeping it on display

What did you like to draw when you were a kid? From the time a child can pick up a crayon and scribble on paper (maybe the wall) it is interesting to see. All first scribbles, squiggles and doodles are forms of expression. Ever wonder what is on their little minds while they draw and see the outcome? Are the drawings some kind of clue to the child’s future?

For example, this drawing of a train by
my husband Keith when he was in first grade, shows his attention to detail. He did not become an engineer, but his love for trains was passed onto his son Charlie.

Though Charlie loved to watch the trains come into the station and he always waved to the engineer when a train passed by, his love was ships. He first drew submarines, then ocean liners. This drawing was found in a Father’s Day card Charlie gave to his dad. Charlie did not go on to have a career at sea, but gave him the love of reading travel and adventure books.

The juggler was drawn by our daughter Tif. She would watch her father juggle and this was her interpretation. Her love of expressive art has given her many hours of drawing pleasure and she now passes on her talents to children as a teacher. As for me, the only picture I could find was this drawing of a little girl jumping rope. Self-portrait? Perhaps.    

There is so much written on the subject of art that it is truly mind-boggling. But whatever those early images are, they should be saved. And more importantly, to save as much as you can because it is truly amazing to see first-hand how artistic minds are expressed and developed.

Today, that are many products that you can purchase for the preservation of artwork. As this blog is focused on a child’s work, the display and storage units vary in size and use. Like these individual frame boxes in which you can both display and store pictures. These units come in various sizes and should be hung on the walls of different rooms, not just the child’s bedroom. By displaying their artwork in public areas of the home, the child can feel proud that his family takes much pride in him or her by showing off their artistic talents.

 Another storage idea is a multi-drawer cardboard box that stores many papers including school work and school mementoes. When artwork becomes larger in size and multiple in quantity, having a unit like this swinging panel that flips open like a book will present artwork in a movable display.

Whatever presentation method you use, it will give both the artist and the observer hours of pleasure and pride. For these and more products ideas, check out Blick art supplies & Michaels arts & crafts.