The Outsider Art Fair snuck up on me this year, and while I haven't gone in a decade, for the same amount of time I've tried to come up with something interesting to share during the season. This year the showing of Children's Artworks of the 1930s from the Kuniyoshi Collection made a choice easy, as I've been fascinated by the relationship between schooling and art creation a long time. The psychological aspects of development through exposure to public schooling and mass media is relatable to both Outsider Art and and that of trained artists, children and otherwise. I've collected some good examples of art from the age of development in which artists become artists…and the tools and techniques provided through schooling. There is a period when artists decide they have become artists.
From the start, I've avoided refrigerator art. I suppose every child for the last hundred years in the United States has been handed paints and brushes in class at some time. However, it is the exceptional students I look for. Quirky examples with both beauty and some wonder…those with a little extra drive and motivation. In each case, I will link to further pieces which have been posted here. Hopefully, what will be revealed is a dozen categories of interest.
An example of the broad strokes and "folky" art of a child. The subject matter is important, as Lou Gehrig was likely a hero to the artist. This is an example of what I call Refrigerator Art. If you are a parent, you'll understand. Anonymous c. 1939 Original Post
Boys like to draw war and weapons. It is unfortunate we live in a world in which they are common. Still, the most lovely and interesting work can be characterized by the same creative impulses which arise in in a child in a manner similar to that of talented adults. Kenneth Hetrick 1931
Original Post
In this case, it is a schoolgirl drawing the Man of Steel and Lois. A good example of art influenced by popular culture, yet still showing an individualistic approach. Audrey K. circa 1950
Original Post
Handmade books by children are common. Here, a schoolgirl creates a nice one using the preferred paper of children. Manila! Darlene Olds 1934 Original Post
Pages from a miniature cookbook 4" x 6" created circa 1940 - 1945 by Carol Birkett and her friend Patty. Original text directions and a few clipped from magazines. Original Post
The cover of a handmade sewing manual created as a class assignment. The woman on the cover is reading her own book! Anonymous Circa 1950?
Original post
Story of the Corn from scarecrow to the popper! A narrative by an anonymous 19th century child.
Original Post
Art lessons in crayon. Anonymous practice design reflecting school training circa 1910.
Original Post
Dazzling detail on an Ohio schoolhouse by Ora Maxwell circa 1890. It is often difficult to determine if a drawing is "folk art" or "art by a child" as any distinctions can blur.
Original Post
A Jester performs. An example from the numerous "coloring books" distributed in the late 19th century. This drawing was copied from a commercial example provided for students to replicate in their own hand. Anonymous circa 1900 Original Post
Circa 1880 Frederich Froebel paper weavings created by children in some of the more enlightened schools. The educator and scholar was responsible for fitting lots of children into a world where color worked and lines mattered. Anonymous Original Post
Examples of pre-punched sewing cards which were popular in teaching situations from 1880 on. Young woman were taught the skills of domestic chores...and the subject matter was often religious. Moral instruction while learning dexterity. Anonymous completed sewing cards.
Original Post
The last examples are cheating, as they were drawn by a "Magic Pattern" toy from the 1930s or so. Similar to the later common Spirograph! Still, likely "drawn" by a child.
Original Post
There are plenty of other beautiful examples of art created by the young. I avoid the psychological and developmental implications when looking for examples to collect. I'll leave that up to the educators! Many more examples are found on the blog.
OTHER EXAMPLES OF I'm not at the outsider art show ARE FOUND ON THE BLOG WITH A CLICK...but one can just browse. See also this CLICK. Many of the examples here were self published in my book Eccentric Folk Art Drawings of the 19th and 20th Centuries available in a paperback or an affordable instant download.
