Motivating Your Kids with artists like Norman Rockwell!

One of the fun ways to motivate your kids in their work is by sharing fun success stories of others.  We are excited not only to celebrate Norman Rockwell's birthday but also to use some fun tidbits from his younger years.  

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FINDING MOTIVATION 

-Watch for exhibits at nearby museums featuring fun and interesting artists 

We currently have a local museum displaying some of Norman Rockwell's work.  It was so fun to take the kids and see his paintings, his process, and watch a fun film about his life.  Getting out to the exhibits is a little more hands on and exciting than just reading about them.

  "Runs in the family. Norman's grandfather was an English artist, 
Thomas Hill, who specialized in very detailed animal drawings. 
Norman's father liked to copy illustrations from magazines, and 
would pull up a chair for Norman to do it with him."

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-Search for fun facts on the internet

If a museum is not possible we have so much information at our fingertips.  Pull up a chair with the kids, pick an artist and see what you can find!

"Silver lining. As a boy, Norman was very thin and awkward. His pigeon-toed 
feet caused him to wear corrective shoes at the age of ten, and glasses 
at twelve -- giving him the nickname "Moony". Poor at sports, 
he found he could entertain his friends through his art."

-Visit your local library

This one can be a win-win for your students who have to read a variety of genres in their school classes.  Not only can they be inspired by these talented men and women but they are also fulfilling an assignment for school!  

"Early work. When he was just five years old, other boys played with store-

bought ships to have naval battles. Since he couldn't afford them, Norman 

cut some of his own out of cardboard and painted them. They became 

so popular, other boys asked him to make some for them!"

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Once you've found some resources help your kids find the inspiring stories that will spark their interest.  The possibilities are almost endless.  There is sure to be a story for your kids!

"What a start! He had his first paying assignment by the time he was sixteen. 

By the age of nineteen he was the art director for Boys' Life magazine. 

His first cover of Saturday Evening Post appeared in 1916, when he 
was just twenty-two. He got the job with the help of his roommate 
who was already doing cartoons for the magazine."

Hopefully these fun facts about Norman Rockwell will be something to encourage your up and coming artists.  What has inspired your kids?  How do you encourage them?  Please share in the comments below.  We'd love to hear your success stories!