Since the mid-2000s Helen Carnac, a sculptor, designer and maker has been leading workshops in brush making. By making the brushes or any mark making tool, creativity extends beyond the final piece but is imbued in the development process.  Diarmuid led us in a similar activity which I have documented in these following videos.

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This activity could be easily transferred to a classroom setting and combines both the visual arts and design technology. This is a problem based activity with an unlimited range of solutions.  As each child would create their own brush, each painting would also be unique to that individual.

It can also be used to teach across the curriculum with an integrated art approach.  Listening skills can be developed as children paint a scene from a verbal description. Writing can be supported through the use of a visual stimulus of the child’s own creation.

From a sustainability perspective children can be taught to value all resources. As the brushes can be made out of materials which would otherwise be through away, the workshop pushes children to reconsider what is and is not valuable.

References

Eisner, E. (2002) The Arts and Creation of Minds. New Haven: Yale University Press.

Helen Carnac (no date) Brushes and Tools Available at: https://helencarnac.wordpress.com/making-things/ (Accessed 11 November 2020)