Paul Cezanne – The Red Waistcoat
Why Art?
Art is very much like life it can be wonderful, frustrating, beautiful or ugly, uplifting and challenging. Is art simply what artists produce?  Or is there more to it? What about Creativity? Inspiration and Virtuosity? Art, intrinsically, is worth nothing, but can sell for millions and why do we fill galleries full of art for thousands of people to look at and enjoy? Art is fascinating because it is created by humans. Art in school is vital.
The Reluctant Artist
So many times in an art lesson a child will exclaim, ‘I can’t draw’. How does the art teacher combat such a claim? It often arises from a lack of confidence on the part of the child, so this is what has to be addressed. Children have to understand that what they draw, paint and create is unique to them. Encourage them to feel proud of their own achievements. Point out that art is not a competition, its about an individual response to the world.

Artists are individuals, they don’t copy others work and styles they seek a personal expression. We ‘buy’ into an artist’s individual work. No one will value the work of an artist copying a Van Gogh when you can see the real thing.