For the Sake of the Call

For the Sake of the Call

Mar. 28, 2007 - How Great Thou Art Class

This week we had the wonderful opportunity to participate in a 3-Day art class with Barry Stebbings of How Great Thou Art. I am not very artistic and do not have much training in art. As a result, I have been quite negligent in teaching art to my kids. The farthest I got in art education was to purchase the oft recommended Drawing With Children which looks lovely on my shelf.

Our lack of art education didn't seem to matter much to my son who is not strong with fine motor skills, but when my girls began showing much more interest at a much younger age, I knew that I needed to pursue something. So, I was quite excited to discover that Mr. & Mrs. Stebbings would be in town offering very affordable art classes. We were not disappointed and would highly recommend these classes to anyone who is lacking in this subject. The one word of caution is that Mr. Stebbings moves at a very rapid pace, packing in as much instruction as possible, so prepare your kids lest they be discouraged. Overall, I was greatly impressed by the character and integrity of this couple and how well organized the class was (especially considering there were over 100 kids participating!). Mr. Stebbings continually uses art to point to God, and I was impressed by his love for God, and for all the children. He is an excellent teacher and firmly believes that art is a learned discipline. He even managed to encourage me that it's never too late to learn, and I really learned a lot just in these three afternoons! This class was a tremendous blessing to all of us, and I am looking forward to using his curriculum with the kids!

Here are some pictures of the fun!

Mr. Stebbings

Homework: sketching flowers

Personal assistance from Mr. Stebbings

Painting sunflowers

• Post A Comment!

Mar. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by nsremom

I love the bottom picture with your daughter's hand on her forehead, in total concentration. How fun! Spring is the perfect time for art, in fact it makes me want to be outdoors.

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Mar. 28, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by TNMOMTOMANYBLESSINGS

What a wonderful class.
I am sure it was a wonderful blessings.

Maria

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Mar. 29, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Dedee

I've been thinking about your blog all day today. You mentioned that this artist focused on art in God's name and I loved the thought of that. I was reminded a point that C.S. Lewis made in "The Great Divorce". If you've read it, then you'll remember the part where he talks about the two artists coming together and the glorified one talking about art for God's sake and the one he was trying to redeem being so focused in on art for color's sake. It's a point, as a musician and writer, that I think about a lot. We as human beings have to be very careful not to get caught up in music for the notes sake or art for color's sake and remember that anything we do, not only should be done for God, but reflects how important God is in our lives to the people around us.

If you haven't read it, you should. It's on my top five list of most life-changing books ever!

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Mar. 29, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Elise

What an opportunity! I love all the pictures, and seeing the concentration on the children's faces is simply priceless!
I look forward to hearing how you like the curriculum...I might be interested!

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Mar. 30, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by drewsfamilytx

We love painting over here, but my boys just don't like to write or draw. Looking at your pictures, it NEVER occurred to me to have them paint a picture that *I* drew!

DUH!!!

Man oh man, they are going to be so excited the next time we paint! Such a simple idea...and it never occurred to me until just now.

THANKS!

Love,
Marsha

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Mar. 30, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by Daisy

That looks like a class that Ellie would love (as would I)!!

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Mar. 31, 2007 - Untitled Comment

Posted by workinprogress

Oh, that is really neat. Your kids actually had a class with Mr. Stebbing. I taught Art to grade K - 3 for 2 years with that book in our co-op. It was easy to teach from and most of the kids were very enthusiastic all the way through. I remember doing that same sunflower page you have in your picture.

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About Me

Philosophical musings from the heart of a home-educating mommy of four and wife of ten years. "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer." Psalms 19:14