Amish boy – pen sketch.
Several people commented on how attentive and focused the Amish children were as they watched me paint – (see previous posts). Which prompted me to write this post about my experiences of painting with children and how creativity helped even the most distracted child – or for that matter adult to FOCUS.
In this instance I was painting the portrait of a French teacher….part of an exhibition I was having in France. Note how completely focused the children are…..
One of the many things the Amish taught me is that by ‘starving distractions’ i.e removing electronics and anything else that get in the way of what our purpose is we can then focus on what it is that we wish to accomplish. It works like a charm…
A little boy in Wales who came to one of my workshops with his grandmother….was fascinated. Shortly after watching me he painted a superb portrait of me.:)
Children in a school in Philadelphia.
No matter what country I was in, or where the children were from….to a one they all focused when I painted.
I remember working with a group in Boston….where I was told by the teacher that it would be impossible for the boys to sit for half an hour…..Well we achieved the impossible, because they actually sat and watched for one hour and at the same time asked excellent questions.
Children in a school in Wales….
In the mid nineties, Using the power of art, I organised a project which was all about helping children to focus, and at the same time learn about their environment.
By focusing on art and the environment the children accomplished a great deal including organising worthy fund raisers. I have written much more about this project…but for now let it suffice to say that it taught me a great deal about children of all ages and what they respond to…..namely art.
In this school the children watched me paint a watercolour of two of cats (on the easel). They in turn painted their own pictures which were sold to their parents. With the proceeds they bought a new chair for a local old people’s home. A win win for all concerned.
This is the cover of the little book ‘Christie the Cat Finds Her New Home…..‘
The book talks about homelessness and how our environment offers up all the answers that we need. We simply need to trust and focus.
This gorgeous brother and sister combo would come to the studio where I was working on this project and paint with me. They would now be in their thirties!
Given that our focus determines our reality – it is vital that we develop the skill of being totally present – and focused.
I have hundreds of photographs taken in schools where I observed the magic happen as children were set free from all unnecessary distractions
I finish with this one because it represents to me ‘pure joy’. These little angels were from a school in the Welsh Valleys…and oh how they loved to watch me paint….It warms my heart to see this photograph.
Focus on all that you love this day….and enjoy. 🙂
I start this blog where I finished off last time. I had just been driven by Heather from the beautiful Rhiwiau to the busy little market town of Crickhowell where I met up with my friend Jane at the Dragon Inn. 
I lived in Crickhowell for twelve years from 1993 til 2005. During that time, along with commissions and teaching, I worked on a project, entitled Focusing on the Future which used the power of art to teach children about their environment and issues such as trust, loneliness and homelessness. Without going into all the details, it almost made it, but sadly in the end it had to be put aside.
On this visit I stayed at the Dragon Inn which brought back many happy memories. When I first returned to Wales in 1993, I stayed with my cousin and family who initially introduced me to Crickhowell, and then I moved into a small flat over the antique shop right next to the Dragon. The people who ran the Dragon at that time, allowed me to use the functions room to paint portraits and entertain my guests….how wonderful is that……
One of the many portraits I painted in Crickhowell. This is Ken…a man of Wales. As I painted people, I asked them to talk about their lives in Crickhowell all of which I have on cassette tapes. watercolour
In hindsight, when I arrived in 1993, it was the end of an era, With the advent of technology the area has become busier, but thankfully because of protection offered by The Brecon Beacons National Park, it still keeps its charm and has a great sense of community.
It has taken a few years for me to feel totally comfortable again in returning. I think along with feelings of sadness, I felt a sense of letting many people, especially the children down because the Focusing on the Future project didn’t come to fruition. However, I am now pleased to say that all of those negative feelings have gone, allowing me to thoroughly enjoy this very special place again.
Another good friend, Lizzy Wilson joined us for a day…..bringing back many happy and some difficult memories. Lizzy was so supportive when things didn’t work out with the project, and helped me to clear my studio before moving to London.
I could go on and on, but needless to say, Crickhowell and the whole area holds a very special place in my heart. I will now look forward to many more visits.
Here is the lonely little cat wishing she could live in a nice warm cottage like the one across from her tree. 
“Sitting between mountains and watched by the moon, with magical hummingbirds weaving their love” this story takes place in The Magical Town of Crickadoon. 
During the long dark cold nights, every noise would give the little cat a fright, and sometimes she would cry.
One night when the winds began to roar and howl, the little cat had a visit from a wise old owl. The wise owl told the little cat to be patient and trust. To close her eyes and dream of magical hummingbirds.
The little cat began to make friends with the birds and animals that lived beneath her tree. After days of fun and play with her new friends the little cat would fall into a deep sleep and dream about finding a home of her own.
One of her new friends, a red robin, told the little cat that she would never be alone because hummingbirds were always near, helping her to find a new home of her own. 
One morning red robin and little cat woke to see that the Magical Town of Crickadoon was completely covered in snow. everywhere the little cat looked, there was a special glow.
Later that night when little cat was dreaming in her tree, a beautiful white hummingbird appeared. White hummingbird told little cat that there was nothing to fear, and that after a terrible storm, all would be clear. 
The next morning when the snow swirled and whirled and the winds roared and howled, the little cat felt so cold and alone was beginning to think that she would never find a home of her own. 
In her dreams the little cat heard White Hummingbird say – “Don’t give into your fear, soon all will be clear. – Follow the light through the storm and there you will find your home, so cosy and warm”. 
Janet the Artist scooped up little cat with tenderness and love, and from high above the Magical Town of Crickadoon, hummingbirds of every colour were flying under the moon. 
Janet the Artist named the little cat, Christeve the Cat because she had arrived on a very special Christmas Eve.
Christeve the Cat settled into her new home and sitting on her favourite chair. 
Christeve the Cat (on the left) with one of her friends sitting in her favourite place in the garden of her new home. 
My Life as an Artist (2) 