Jeanette Nyberg and her family are always throwing their noodles and Taking On The Creative. That's why they are under The Noodle Spotlight! this week. Jeanette lives in a suburb of Chicago with her husband, Christian, two kids (ages 3 and 9), two step kids (16 and 14) and a recent mouse infestation. She has a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design and sold her paintings for years when living in Chicago. Jeanette focuses her energy now on her kids and her blog, ARTCHOO!
"My kids adore getting their hands dirty with all sorts of art projects and I think they secretly like being models on my blog."
"My kids adore getting their hands dirty with all sorts of art projects and I think they secretly like being models on my blog."
Jeanette, Beckett, Fen, Annie and Erik
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On The Wall) with your child/children?
My NOW is making sure my kids get all the extra creativity and making-of-stuff that they possibly can. I’m a firm believer in creativity as an incredible learning tool and an essential skill for everyone. So we explore materials and projects at home. We dive in and see what art-making has to teach us and we explore all sorts of topics through related creative projects.
My NOW is making sure my kids get all the extra creativity and making-of-stuff that they possibly can. I’m a firm believer in creativity as an incredible learning tool and an essential skill for everyone. So we explore materials and projects at home. We dive in and see what art-making has to teach us and we explore all sorts of topics through related creative projects.
My blog, ARTCHOO! is a way to document many of the projects we try, but also to share my ideas and art knowledge with other parents who want to expose their kids to more creativity. I'm loving seeing what creative people are doing and making that can inspire kids to be excited about art and design.
What role does creativity play in your home?
Creativity in my home is as abundant as air. That sounds dramatic. But really, it’s how we operate. There are always materials and unfinished projects everywhere. My husband and I both majored in art in college and we thrive on making things. So, our kids are naturally brought into the process.
Creativity in my home is as abundant as air. That sounds dramatic. But really, it’s how we operate. There are always materials and unfinished projects everywhere. My husband and I both majored in art in college and we thrive on making things. So, our kids are naturally brought into the process.
Beckett
What inspires you to take on the creative with your kids?
I’m inspired by trying out new materials and techniques with my kids, both for the fun of experimentation and to pass along our findings and results to other people.
It’s so fun to watch the kids get absorbed in the process of making something. These times are our version of family dinner. We talk, we’re relaxed, we have fun and we’re completely in the moment.
I’m inspired by trying out new materials and techniques with my kids, both for the fun of experimentation and to pass along our findings and results to other people.
It’s so fun to watch the kids get absorbed in the process of making something. These times are our version of family dinner. We talk, we’re relaxed, we have fun and we’re completely in the moment.
Fen, Jeanette and Beckett
How do you nurture your child's creativity?
Well, first of all, it’s imperative that we buy TONS of art materials, right? Then we encourage open-ended exploration. We praise when they tackle large projects, as well as the quick doodles or sketches. We try to look for the creativity in the every day, whether we are arranging leaves to make a design, making patterns with rocks, or drawing with a stick in some dirt. I try to get them to notice patterns, colors and design in things we encounter in the outside world, whether it's a building, a person, or some geese.
Well, first of all, it’s imperative that we buy TONS of art materials, right? Then we encourage open-ended exploration. We praise when they tackle large projects, as well as the quick doodles or sketches. We try to look for the creativity in the every day, whether we are arranging leaves to make a design, making patterns with rocks, or drawing with a stick in some dirt. I try to get them to notice patterns, colors and design in things we encounter in the outside world, whether it's a building, a person, or some geese.
Fen working on a Patrick Dougherty- inspired project.
Go HERE to check out Fen's project
What sticky noodles can you offer other Moms taking on the creative with their kids?
Don’t dictate what materials they choose to work with and don’t try to teach them the ‘right’ way to make art. Above all, never criticize what they choose to make. On the other hand, I would be aware of over-praising pieces that seem technically exceptional. Art-making can be a sensitive thing and you don’t want your kids to feel like they always have to strive for the perfect finished masterpiece. Art-making as kids is truly mostly about the process, so keep it fun. It's easy to keep paper and pencils or markers out somewhere readily accessible so your kids can grab them quickly, or just start doodling when they're sitting around complaining of boredom. Not that my kids ever do that because they're always creatively and mentally stimulated....*cough*
What sticky noodles can you offer other Moms taking on the creative with their kids?
Don’t dictate what materials they choose to work with and don’t try to teach them the ‘right’ way to make art. Above all, never criticize what they choose to make. On the other hand, I would be aware of over-praising pieces that seem technically exceptional. Art-making can be a sensitive thing and you don’t want your kids to feel like they always have to strive for the perfect finished masterpiece. Art-making as kids is truly mostly about the process, so keep it fun. It's easy to keep paper and pencils or markers out somewhere readily accessible so your kids can grab them quickly, or just start doodling when they're sitting around complaining of boredom. Not that my kids ever do that because they're always creatively and mentally stimulated....*cough*
This is Fen working on a super fun project where she painted a scene and then used gel medium to do a photo transfer onto the surface of the dry painting.
Check out Fen's easy project HERE.
What is your child's ideal noodle dish?
Food-wise, it would be giant chocolate noodles smothered in ice cream and whipped cream and some more sugar.
Figuratively, it would be the messiest things ever that would be smear-able, fling-able, splash-able and unwash-able.
ARTCHOO! can be found on FACEBOOK • TWITTER • PINTEREST
What is your child's ideal noodle dish?
Food-wise, it would be giant chocolate noodles smothered in ice cream and whipped cream and some more sugar.
Figuratively, it would be the messiest things ever that would be smear-able, fling-able, splash-able and unwash-able.
ARTCHOO! can be found on FACEBOOK • TWITTER • PINTEREST
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