WE are already in March. How time flies. For me it goes far too quickly. As I grow older, I long for it to slow down as I have so many things I need and want to do.
I retired from school in 2016 and remember how everyone devoted their thoughts to school holidays. I was the opposite. Not because I didn’t like being at home or on holiday, but I loved my job. I thrived on work and still do.
It is the old cliché: ‘I don`t know how I had time to work. I’m so busy now’.
Negativity is such a draining concept and bad for our mental health. I know it is sometimes difficult to stay positive and hopeful when every news bulletin is showing us earthquakes, floods, volcano eruptions and numerous other natural disasters. This is where my art becomes a saviour. I can shut myself in my studio with my music and paint.
We need to protect children from the bad vibes and make childhood memorable for the right reasons. Obviously young people have to be made aware of what is happening around the world but let`s not allow these disasters or troubles to be all they can tell their grandchildren in years to come.
Adults view the world in landscapes, influenced by social media or television, but maybe we should learn from our children. Ask a child what an awful landscape would look like, and it would more than likely be a rainy day or at the very worse, a thunderstorm. Ask an adult the same question and I`m sure it would be a totally different view.
The artwork to accompany this article is by children considering what they would paint as a happy landscape.
Zenia Khan, 10, painted her garden. She loves to see the flowers in full bloom in the summer, and sitting outside amongst them puts her in a happy place.
Noor Hassan, 10, loves bright colours and abstract shapes, therefore David Hockney is her inspiration for her happy painting.
Vincent Bradley, eight, is mad about all types of transport, from aeroplanes to steam engines. He also enjoys painting trees and the countryside, so his painting of a train travelling over a bridge was an ideal subject matter. He was very proud and happy with the result.
Elias Dobson, four, spends a lot of time outdoors and in the park with his mummy. I think his painting of a park shows it is his happy place.
Nusaybah, six, painted first ever canvas and she really enjoyed using sponges to create the trees. Red is her favourite colour.
As we approach spring let us bring back hope and look forward to all the exciting opportunities that 2024 will offer as we prepare for Bradford to be UK City of Culture 2025.
I am preparing many children’s art projects and I hope everyone will help me showcase the talented young artists we have in Bradford.
Please keep sending children’s artwork to me at purplegrandma48@gmail.com
* Lynne Dobson is a Bradford artist and retired art teacher.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here