Recently, the third graders at St. Michael the Archangel School in Coopersburg, PA joined me in creating artwork for the Pediatric Unit at Lehigh Valley Health Network.*
Because we just love art!
It brings so much happiness to people who see it and to people who do it.
Every time I go to the hospital, I leave with a different perspective on my life, and I’m much more appreciative of everything I have. … Why? Because…
Creating art is so healthy and fun...
... but sharing art is even better!
Sharing teaches us about compromise, about letting go, learning to negotiate, and coping with tough decisions or disappointments. Sharing is a valuable and necessary life skill we need to teach our children.
It may be difficult to grasp initially, but the best part about learning to share is how rewarding giving back and giving away will feel. It makes others happy, which makes you feel happy too.
It may be difficult to grasp initially, but the best part about learning to share is how rewarding giving back and giving away will feel. It makes others happy, which makes you feel happy too.
What are fun ways you share your artwork with others? When your child shares their artwork with you, what are your favorite ways to share and display it?
Sharing & Showing Art:
- Is the back of your drawing unmarked? Fold it to make a greeting card! Inside you can write a letter or a birthday card!
- Scan your artwork and turn it into stamps! With the help of USPS authorized vendors (stamps.com, pictureitpostage.com, and zazzle.com), your favorite piece of art can be shared with everyone you send a letter to.
- Mail cards to servicemen with Holiday Mail for Heroes, deliver them to the elderly by contacting a local nursing home, write thank-you notes, or make get well soon cards for your local hospital!
- Draw on the envelope you send your letters in! Just be sure to leave the spaces for addressing the envelope clear so it’s easy to read.
- Turn your art into pillows, puzzles, mugs, magnets or calendars with websites like Shutterfly and SnapFish
- Upload digital scans of your artwork (or photos) to Spoonflower to create real wallpaper, gift wrap, or fabric (for clothing or shower curtains).
- Create a quick scrapbook with a 3-ring binder and sheet protectors to publish your artwork, or save your work for sharing later!
- Create custom wrapping paper for presents! Consider purchasing white butcher paper, or long sheets of paper, so the kids can color on the sheets like a mural, then use their art as gift wrap!
- Share your artwork online with @roeyspaintbox on Facebook, Instagram, and/or Twitter! You can paint along with me step-by-step in The World of Roey’s Paintbox, coming this May!
Do you have a favorite way to volunteer and give? What’s your favorite way to show kindness through artwork? Can you think of more ideas?
Comment below!
*You can see me and the children create at St. Michael the Archangel School on WFMZ’s episode of Life Lessons: here!
*You can see me and the children create at St. Michael the Archangel School on WFMZ’s episode of Life Lessons: here!
