After the amazing response to the recent children's art competition, I didn't envy the judges’ job of picking a few winners and runners-up. There was an array of styles and mediums from ages four to eighteen. I wanted to show the world all the talented artists, but it would take a whole newspaper to include everyone. In future articles I hope to add a few of my favourites from the submissions that didn't make it through. However, while I decide on a plan and sort through the enormous file of artwork today, I decided to show how children experiment and delve into their imagination to create their masterpieces.

Many people struggle with the concept of abstract art as it can be very personal to the artist and not always self-explanatory. I do 'get' that, yet I try to view a piece of art as aesthetically pleasing to the eye, not worrying about the meaning or tortuous thoughts the artist has endured at his or her easel. Paintings, and whatever mediums are used, are approached for numerous reasons. I would like to think there is a certain amount of fun involved which will transfer to the onlooker. Art can be a release of feelings such as grief, loss and anxiety. This is why painting is now being offered as a form of mental health therapy.

Children and young people may not get the opportunity or know how to express their feelings; therefore, I think it is important to be always on the lookout for signs and cries for help.

When I receive artwork sent by parents, teachers, etc., I like to read the background thinking behind the painting, which is sort of contradictory to what I believe when viewing an adult's painting or sculpture. This may be the mother nature/nurture side of my artistic temperament, but it is also interesting to know how a child's mind works and evolves on their artistic journey.

It is not only paintings that can evoke emotions. In my case music has a great influence on stirring up deep feelings and reducing me to tears.

I came across a documentary on TV about a young man, blind from birth, who was a remarkable pianist. Showing videos of him sitting at the piano at the age of four was a moving and inspirational sight. It was difficult to imagine not seeing the magic of nature or a work of art on a gallery wall again. How on earth can you imagine a colour or magnificent size of a tree or the fascinating cloud formation, etc.? Yet this young man was a happy adult, comfortable with who he was.

Evie, 7 yrs, loved experimenting using leaves etc from the garden to produce a joyous gel print

Rocky, 4 yrs, loves big canvases to create colourful fun paintings

When he played my favourite Gershwin piece of music, accompanied by a full orchestra in front of a packed audience, tears rolled down my face. This wasn’t through pity but by the sheer talent and courage of this individual rendering an astonishing version of Rhapsody in Blue.

Showing his journey and determination from the age of four connected me to some of my young artists beginning their life's journeys. Most are happy to experiment and investigate different mediums, and it is wonderful that schools and parents are recognising the importance of art in a child's life. Let's get it out of the cupboard and add it to key subjects in order to offer the help needed to see children through to adulthood, avoiding all the stresses and hurdles they may have to cross.



Please keep submitting artwork to my email or via Curatorspace (Children’s and Young People's Opportunities).
Thank you all