Doodlebug Dabblings: Joe Average inspired sculptures

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Joe Average inspired sculptures

For the spring break camps focused on artist from British Columbia, I really wanted to introduce some current artists whose work the kids might recognize around town.

And so when introducing Joe Average, I first asked the students if they knew where this picture was taken.

It took less than a split second for one of them to blurt out, "Granville Island!"

Then I told them they were quite familiar with the artist we would be using for inspiration to create knee sculptures in clay because he was the artist of the work on Granville Island.

I knew they would like Joe Average's work, it's whimsical and fun. It makes you smile. And the kids were full of giggles as I told them the titles he had given his work. As we went through the samples of his work, the kids had so much fun trying to guess what the title of the work was going to be and sometimes they weren't that far off.

However, the most touching moment of the week was when I read to them the advice Joe Average has for children who want to be artist, "Do it. It's a great job. Very rewarding. It's tough to make a living but if you're passionate and it's what you want to do most in the world...If it's all you want to do, pursue it as far as you can"

You could of heard a pin drop when I finished and when I asked who in the room wanted to be an artist when they grew up, almost every hand went up in the air.

So sweet. They were so inspired by this generous and talented man. I knew he was a great choice to share with the kids.

Then they went to work making creations inspired by the work of Joe Average. They used their knees to form the base of their artwork. And when they finished, just like Joe Average, they each gave their work a title.