My Work with Children and Art Education

Teaching art to children is so much more than passing on techniques or helping them develop motor skills — it’s about creating a space where they feel seen, safe, and free to express themselves just as they are.

In every class, I witness how deeply children feel, how big their questions can be, and how naturally they express their emotions. During a recent summer camp, one student asked me, “Why do we have different skin colors?” I gave a simple answer, but her response — “Well, I think that sucks” — really struck me. Another told me, “I don’t like Barbie. She’s too nice. I think that sucks. Girls need to have a voice.” These are 7-year-olds, already questioning the world with strength and clarity.

I also worked with a student who had recently moved to a new country. You could feel how hard she was trying to “fit in,” even though she was still too young to fully understand why she had to leave home in the first place.

And then came the request: “Can we do a fashion show?”
When I asked why, the answer was beautiful: “We want to feel beautiful, empowered, and creative.”
So of course, we did it — with joy and gratitude.

This generation is growing up with bold voices, big questions, and a powerful emotional intelligence. My greatest mission as an art educator is to nurture that. I aim to build a creative environment where children can explore their identity, process their feelings, and express themselves with confidence — without fear of being judged.

I currently teach at Krasl Art Center and in my studio at The Box Factory for the Arts, where I lead classes and workshops focused on creativity, color exploration, and emotional expression through mixed media.

With an artist’s soul and an idealist’s heart, I believe in the power of art to transform lives — especially when we begin in childhood. Through color, texture, and imagination, I help young artists build not just skills, but self-esteem, empathy, and a stronger connection to the world around them.