My grandmother, Nan, has been my hero since I was a little girl. I spent Sunday afternoons with her, and it was delightful. No, it was more than that. Nan filled me with stories, taffy pulls, and dressing-up. She drove me and my sister in to Kresge’s, the five-and-dime, to spend a whole nickle on anything we wanted. Sundays with Nan were the best.
Nan lived in an apartment. When you entered, the first thing hanging on the wall was a Picasso, “Girl Before a Mirror”. I remember thinking how funny the painting looked and having many conversations with Nan. While this became familiar to me in her apartment, so did other art. Gilbert Gaul’s “Leaving Home” was my favorite, opening my eyes to art that tells a story with the scene and characters. This painting was was about history and the Civil War. I’ve been a history buff ever since.
I recently came face-to-face with a Picasso at the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester, NH. Nan came flooding over me.
“Woman Seated in a Chair”, 1941
The Currier interpreted the painting:
Picasso executed this painting during World War II while living in a small apartment in German-occupied Paris. While the distortion of form and space through simplified shapes reflect Picasso’s earlier Cubist period, the bright color and emotional charge is the continuing influence of Expressionist art.
Emotionally charged, indeed. This was real. I crept close and looked at brush strokes. The white circles on the woman’s dress are thick, raised paint. I thought about Picasso painting this, perhaps looking out his window at the Germans in the streets of Paris and feeling angry.
And, I thought about Nan. She was only five years older than Picasso. How did she come to like Picasso art? After all, his painting greeted everyone who entered her home. But, Nan’s life was far from modern. She grew up in rural West Virginia, in the oldest two-story log house west of the Appalachian mountains. She was more akin to Laura Ingalls Wilder than to Pablo Picasso. She had a hard life, outliving her brothers and sisters, two husbands, and her children. By the time I came along, all she had were her grandchildren. Yet, she was ever happy and strong.
I teach art to my preschool class in a way that admires and respects the art of well-known artists. Learning from greatness is a good beginning. Young children are enthusiastic sponges when it comes to art, and I introduce many styles of painting. Real is best, therefore children paint with authentic watercolor paints squeezed from tubes onto a palette. Each April we host an Art Show for the community. Children paint in the style of Picasso, Kandinsky, Monet, van Gogh, Matisse, Carle, and others.
I often think of the power of art and how that transcends to others. Art had an influence on Nan, Nan had an influence on me, and now I have an influence on children. Thank you, Picasso.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
What a wonderful idea. Introducing famous art work to your class. You are a great inspiration and just think what a big smile is on your nan’s face.
There are tears in my eyes and joy in my heart for you and your nan.
Awww…thank you for your kind words! I will be writing more about art down the road. Wait till I post pictures of the Art Show in April!
Wow, I wish I had a teacher like you for kindergarten – maybe then I would actually enjoy art! I love that you introduce young children to the works of so many wonderful artists…Picasso is one of my favourites!
Thank you so much!
An uncle of mine who lived upstate from me when I was a child (didn’t see him but more than a couple times a year) made the most beautiful oil paintings that continue to live on within our family since he passed and have inspired everyone who knew him. Looking back after reading this I wonder where he got his inspiration to paint. I’ll never know for sure but I’m certain introducing artistic expression in the classroom is a great thing.
I think you are absolutely right. And, what a wonderful family story. I’m sure you wish you had 10 minutes to ask him about his inspiration. He may have had a “Nan Story” to tell. I will be writing more about art and children down the road. Enjoy the playoffs today!
A lovely post about your Nan, Jennie. Like I said, I want to be four again and be in your classroom. Since that isn’t going to happen, I thank you for all the great ideas for play with my grandson. (I hope to be his Nan) ❤
Thank you, Diana. You are already on your way to being a Nan!
It is wonderful to pass on the gift of art to young minds.. Teaching them how expression comes in many forms.. We may not always see the thoughts behind the artist.. But we have fun interpreting our own thoughts about the pieces we are viewing..
Your Nan sounded to be a wonderful soul Jennie.. She left a lasting impression.. And I know You too are leaving a lasting impression within the minds and hearts of your young students..
A great Blessing you are ..
Sue xx
Your words are a blessing, indeed. Thank you, Sue!
I am sure your students think so too Jennie.. xxx
Wow, your poor nan to have even outlived her children! The photo you shared of her is lovely. Your students are very lucky to have you.
Thank you!
This is beautiful Jennie – keep on inspiring xx
Thanks, and will do!
It is wonderful to introduce children to the works of great artists. Actually children are fortunate, they get to see lovely artworks every time they read, or a read, a beautiful picture book. But the masters – that’s something special. I have a lovely collection of picture books about the greats, and the children find them inspiring. Lovely post, as always.
You are so right, Norah. I, too, show many masterful works of art in picture books. Actually, I often talk about the illustrators and just how they made their art, with a “You can do this” attitude toward the children. Many thanks!
The children are often amazed by what they can do! 🙂
Yes, they are!
What a nice tribute (this post) and what a nice way to honor her spirit, by spreading an understanding of art. No doubt, some of your students will be moved by this experience. You may never know, but it’s a good thing that you’re doing.
Thank you, Dan!
Nan sounds amazing. xo
Many thanks. She certainly was.
Jennie, a wonderful story. Kids can be very expressive when taught and left to their own imaginations.
Thank you, Steve. Yes, kids certainly can.
“Emotionally charged, indeed. This was real. I crept close and looked at brush strokes. The white circles on the woman’s dress are thick, raised paint. I thought about Picasso painting this, perhaps looking out his window at the Germans in the streets of Paris and feeling angry.”
I had the very same intense experience when I viewed Van Gogh’s exhibit in LA during its tour of the country.(late 90’s?)..I knelt down as close to the picture as I was allowed and looked from the bottom up…oh wow!
Wow, Laura. Van Gogh. It is such a humbling and thrilling experience. I took two pictures of a painting, one of the full view, and one close-up showing the brush strokes…ahhh, so wonderful. I’ll be using those on an art blog post down the road. Now, if I can get more children and families into art museums, that will be a good thing. Glass half-full, here.
It was wonderful have weekly visits with your Nan. The Picasso was a special surprise considering her background, Jennie. This was extraordinary to feel overcome with memories and nostalgia for your Nan in the museum at the sight of this Picasso. I have always felt art makes children come alive with words and descriptions. Music can do this as in “Peter and the Wolf.” My sixth graders would write short poems or stories while looking at large paintings you could borrow from BGSU library. Our local library has paintings to borrow, too.
You are an inspiration to parents who have not run into teachers who support the arts in their lessons and classrooms. 🙂
Thank you, Robin. Yes, coming face-to-face with a real Picasso, much like the one that Nan had, immediately pulled me back to my childhood. Peter and the Wolf! Thank you!!! I have not played that recording in quite a few years. I’ll be gearing up classical music the beginning of March, and I will definitely include Peter and the Wolf. Yes, art and music are linked. In March we learn about Italy, including music and art to prepare for our Art Show. Very exciting!
Another wonderful post. Thank you, the photo of your Nan is lovely.
Glad you liked it, Barbara. Many thanks.
What a beautiful woman your Nan was, inside and out. Thanks for sharing her with us. I’m looking forward to your future art posts as well as classical music in March!
She was the best, Marcia. March and April will be filled with art and classical music- 🎶 that I introduce with my record player.
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Thank you so much, Nikki! Glad you enjoyed the post and found it special.
I love honk this is wonderful and a beautiful tribute to your Nan.
It’s supposed to be: I think this is wonderful…. oh dear
I knew exactly what you meant. No worries!
Thank you, Lisa!
Yay, Jennie! And thank you to YOU, my friend, who helps these children with your wisdom and your caring. I saw many blessings of Picasso when I visited Barcelona, or at least I’m pretty sure that’s the painter who lived there (embarrassing that I don’t quite remember). Such a beautiful thing to share about your love of art and your Nan. Love Jennie … Debbie 🙂
Thank you, Debbie!! Such kind words. And to be in Barcelona and see Picasso art. Wow!
You are feeding the souls of the children you teach in a way they can’t even yet imagine. With your music and art education, they have something that will carry them through the worst of their times. Your Nan was a remarkably beautiful woman and wise as well. Your students will be telling their children tales of the teacher who brought so much light into their lives. Let’s just hope someone else doesn’t tell them they have to color inside the lines. 😦
Thank you so much, Marlene. Your words certainly made my day. So nice! Yes, let’s hope they don’t have to color in the lines.
Children are enthusiastic responders to art, both theirs and others. I’m more a fan of Picasso’s blue period than his cubist work, but like you, I believe it’s important to expose children to great art and music early in life. Thanks so much for sharing this with your students.
Any my grandmother had a profound affect on my life, too. 🙂
Thank you, Cathleen. I couldn’t agree more. When we begin art in earnest for our big Art Show for the community, I introduce classical music with my old record player. Yes, they go hand-in-hand. My grandmother also introduced me to Norman Rockwell. Lucky US!
Ugh. And my grandmother… Could you please fix that for me? (Sorry.)
🙂
Wonderful. I grew up in a house filled with Art. My mother was an artist and the smell of linseed oil and paint was ever present.
I became an early fan of Van Gogh, Modigliani, and Lautrec.
And things have never been the same.
That’s wonderful, John! The only poster I have hanging in my classroom is Starry Night. I don’t know Lautrec. Looks like I have a new quest! Sometime read my post on Starry Night II. Right up your alley…except for writing mystery and humor. 🙂
Henri Toulouse-Lautrec..He created the modern advertising poster for the Moulin Rouge in Paris. Late 1800s.
Thank you, John! Yes I know his art. Much appreciated.
Oh this is SOOO why visiting Art in Museums is so important….reproductions just cannot do original work justice!
You are so right!
Reblogged this on The Life & Times of Zoe the Fabulous Feline and commented:
A thoughtful and inspirational post from one of the chosen few…those with that special gift of teaching children. Thanks, Jennie, for a lovely post, for sharing your Nan (who seems to have been an amazing woman!), and for sharing your knowledge with all your children!
Thank you, Zoe!
You are the kind of teacher the world needs. Some of us were lucky to have been influenced by clever grandparents. My grandmother, a simple farm girl, would quote Shakespeare. I learned a lot from her as well. Keep up the good work your grandmother started.
Thank you, Darlene! Your kind words are appreciated. I love the story of your grandmother.
What a wonderful story! Loved it. And yes, children’s art has all the components of the modernists – we have one painting my daughter did in grade school that we were offered money for. Never!
Thank you, Noelle! Children’s art can be incredibly sophisticated because they are open to learning and not inhibited with self doubt. I love hearing about your daughter’s painting.
Reblogged this on Totally Inspired Mind and commented:
My good friend Jennow who does a wonderful, inspiring, heartwarming and often educational blog call A Teachers Reflections wrote this great article about her Nan. Her Nan brought art into her life the same way my Nanny brought music into mine! Thank you to all the great grandparents who left their legacies in our lives.
Paulette Le Pore Motzko
Picasso is a great artist. His paintings are strange and confusing sometimes, but it is great how an artist has his own style.
You are so right!