I'm inspired to write about all the ways that art has brought joy and purpose to my life, and one thing that jumps to the front is CONNECTION.   Art has literally brought about many wonderful connections in my life, and it's proof that I'm on the right track in helping to lift people up and bring joy to others' lives.

Here are some of the recent connective experiences I've had because of ART:

1.  I have been hanging art in 2 local cafes for close to 10 years now.  It started when I wanted to help my students realise themselves as exhibition worthy, but to also show the community the wonderful art that is coming out of my studio.  I approached the owner of a cafe who happily jumped at this proposal that I hang art and regularly swap it, in his cafe, which led to me also taking care of his other cafe.  He sold the first cafe on, but the new owners are even more happy to have my students' and my art hanging up there.   
(The cafe shown his Mealmates Cafe at Davies Corner in Fairfield Hamilton, and the other is Impresso Cafe in Rototuna, Hamilton.) 

Time and time again, I met lovely locals in the cafe (mostly older folk) as they come up to me when I'm swapping the art, and they ask about the students and marvel at their lovely, expressive drawings and paintings, hung on clip boards, in frames, or on canvas. It's really a pleasure exchanging wee chats with older people in my community that I would otherwise not have met.

The cafe workers and owners are a joy to catch up with, swap fruit with, and I love that Anne from Mealmates surprises me from time to time with a yummy free coffee too!

Sometimes I feel lazy and don't want to spend all the effort it takes to find new ways to hang art that won't be dangerous or too heavy.  Sometimes I don't feel like like loading up my car and driving around Kirikiriroa Hamilton to do this. Sometimes I even lose sleep over leaving art up for too long, and not knowing what to plan next that will fit there..... But most times I go in, to be honest, I get lovely smiles from strangers, a kick out of seeing the students buzzing about it, and getting messages from grandparents who loved going to see their grand child's art and enjoyed a lovely brunch at the same time.

Connecting even with people I'll never cross paths with, but have impacted in some way, by them stopping to view the art of a child, that really does have a special, innocent feel that you can't just not notice. What a special way to connect through ART.

5.  And last but not least: MY REGULAR STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES!!!

Aw man.  These kids are kinda like family to me.  My own kids have grown up somehow and time has got away on me, but I always have these amazing children coming here every day after school.  Because I have only 4-6 kids per session it means I get to have great little convos with them and / or their parents and get to know their family, hear about their pets, what's important them etc etc.  This connection helps me to better gauge where they're at in their art and be able to help them best.  The atmosphere I've created is lovely and peaceful, so the children mention that most: that this is a place they love to come because they feel so good and calm here.  
How lovely is that!?  Connection is what it's all about!  And art! Art connections!

6. Creative Waikato
I've been meeting with the staff from Creative Waikato and I'll be letting you know what comes out of.  Here's what it says on their website, if you'd also like to connect:Creative Waikato is a non-profit organisation that’s been doing good things to help the arts, support the community, and make creative things happen since 2012.We develop, support and champion Waikato arts and culture by understanding the unique needs of our bold and ambitious creative sector. Collaborating with national and regional organisations, individuals, councils, and communities to drive positive change, opportunity, and growth in arts, culture and creativity throughout our mighty region.
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So,
Have you made special connections just because of art in your life? Tell me:

If you're like me, and you want to make sure that your child knows that "everyone's an artist", here are some things you can start doing:

• point out all of the handmade things you have around home:  Clothing, decor, art, photography, ceramics, light shades, sculpture, carving, jewellery, knitting, even landscaping, the way the you dress and the way you prepare and present your food


• Notice when looking at things, to discuss some visual elements like shape, colour, texture and form.  What do you like, or wish was a little different? Ex.  that flower arrangement looks appealing to me because its arranged with that large yellow sunflower in the centre which catches my eye.  I like how the yellow matches with the stripes on the vase.  OR  Wow, this lunch looks like a piece of art because the colours balance so nicely on the plate.  OR I just love the look of this handmade mug with it's thick, drippy, textured glaze in shades of green (turquoise, olive, emerald, sage, lime) 


• Discuss colours. Ex. Oooo that colour is beautiful.  I wonder what it's called! What does it remind you of? And how would you describe that colour. How does it make you feel. Why do you think the maker chose that colour.  OR Wow, those red earrings really make your outfit pop!
• 
  I could go on and on and on.
  
  I have so many ideas on how you can keep the ideas flowing that artists are everywhere and that we all have it in us.

contact [email protected] if you have questions about my work.

"I have just signed us up for the 6 month package and am feeling so excited.  The 4-week drawing challenge has been such a neat experience, sitting down for a short, directed art lesson with my young kids once a week - I was feeling sad it was coming to an end!  This is the perfect way for all my kids (and me) to do an art lesson (not just chose one child) and they're always more enthusiastic and willing to give it a go when I sit down with them.  I just LOVE to see everyone's very different creations given the same directive.  You have made the course so affordable Kim, it was a no-brainer - I won't stress have to if we're having an off-week or if its only 1 or 2 of us that participate.  I so want my kids to grow with a love of drawing and creating that they will take into adulthood, and this course will help me to more easily facilitate it instead of putting 'doing art together' into the 'not-today'/too-hard basket.  Thanks Kim, and can't wait to see what you'll have us making over the next 6 months :)" . Michelle Challies, Hamilton, NZ


I'd say this mum hit the nail on the head in her lovely email she sent me (and gave permission to publish) If you have more than one child, and you also love art as well, then good quality online art lessons are going to do you a world of good.  When you KNOW you don't have to travel to a studio, KNOW you can work at your own pace, KNOW your kids can come back to them, and take turns using them, and best of all if you KNOW you can trust you art teacher and get in touch with questions, then you're onto something.

There are a lot of companies on the market though, and sometimes it can be hard to tell what kind of actual teaching you are going to get.  Will it be follow-along-with-me type of thing, or will it be stretching your children's thinking a bit more, and encouraging them to make free choice in their art, and learn from the lesson but also ADD to it?  

In All Smilez video lessons, perfection is not mentioned, but uniqueness is.  Problem solving, putting on your own spin on it, and discovery IS.  Learning the principals and elements of art in a casual way, while you create and have fun, builds confidence, encourages mindfulness, and if you can get this for your whole family with one enrolment AND get teacher feedback on your art submissions right inside each lesson, you're super winning.

It might also be worth checking if the company you're considering, has a trained teacher who has much experience with kids of all levels. Do they show you common issues and struggles kids have when learning to draw? Do they know how to build you up so that you can feel confident in discovering your own abilities?

If you can get some sample lessons this would give you a good idea.  If you can directly contact the actual teacher, this is also a good sign that what you are about to purchase is worth it.

Also check if you get access for the lifetime of the course, or is there an expiry date.
If you have any questions about All Smilez online art lessons, courses, classes, please just email [email protected].  She really cares.

Whether you're fostering the little artist IN YOU, or you have a little artist at home whom you'd like to nurture and foster their creativity, this is for you.

Kim, at All Smilez art school honestly believes we are all artists whether we know it or not. Back when we were children we were able to enjoy making art (until something went wrong and we got the idea that we were no good, or should stop). So, it's important that we help the children (or inner child) in our lives and protect them from whatever it is that separates people who think they're artists and those who think they're not.

So, start now, doing what Kim does in her art classes for kids, or even in her online art classes for kids.  Ensuring you do these 3 things to foster the artist.

1. WORDS - what you say and how you say it.

These are the words in your head as well as the words you say aloud.  If you create a mindset within yourself as an influencer of young people, then please make sure its positive and boosting. BUT, it's important not to just throw nice words around.

Young artists are good at knowing when something is fake.

Which is why Kim suggests that you get it in your head that EVERYONE'S AN ARTIST. 

If you can start to trust that each and every one of us has the ability to think like an artist, and create cool art in our own way, then use words of encouragement.

NICE STUFF TO SAY TO A YOUNG ARTIST:

- what are you experimenting with today?
- would you like to tell me about this?
- what are you learning from what you tried? 
- I like the ___________ in your drawing.  (insert: colour, lines, arrangement on the page, patterns, whatever you notice). They'll trust you more if you notice things that are true.
- how are you feeling about your drawing? Let them talk if they want.
- would you like me to put this on the fridge? If they are proud of their work, this is how you'll find out.
- I love how you are always trying new ideas!
- are you going to sign your name?
- would you like to put the short date on it so that when you look at it again in the future you'll know how old you were?

DO NOT SAY:
- Wow that's awesome, cool, amazing...... every single time the young artist shows you something.  
-  What is it?  - never say that.  
- oh that looks like.......   - just don't interpret too quickly.  

2.  VALUING THEIR BEST WORK

How do you know when it's their best work?  If you are not sure then perhaps it's because it seems rushed to you, or too messy or??  Rather than making comments that might upset them, you could ask how they feel about this piece and ask them how THEY know whether a piece of art is a sketchbook practise, or if it's framable.

If they are not sure, you could ask them to think about why they are creating BEFORE THEY START.  Try to catch them when they are sitting down to draw.  
Ask, will you be just doodling, learning, experimenting today? OR are you making something for the wall, or for a card for someone?

Ask -What do you need when you're planning something to frame?
Help them think about the size of the paper required, will the drawing or painting materials work on this kind of paper, and will your idea fit into the space on the page?

Help them draw a wee soft border around the page which will help to frame their composition, and help you when you go to frame it because some paper will need to be behind the frame or matting, to keep it held in.

When you have a piece of art that they love and you love, then you have a winner and it should be displayed and shown off.  Talk about the stuff in it that catches your eye.  Say that ___ catches my eye because I love how it overlaps.. or how the colour blends, or how the texture is interesting in that part, or the expression on the face, or .... something specific about that piece of art. (as in number 1, above) And let them hear you talking about their art to other people.  

3.  GET THEM A MENTOR

Find someone else who knows how to talk to kids about their art.  This is very important that your little artist feels like they are growing as an artist, and has someone who can validate and steer them when they need it.  Ask a teacher, friend, family member.

For a range of long or shorter term options, you can get someone online.
Kim Garside, in Hamilton NZ helps kids all over the world in her online art courses.  The best part of the online courses, is seeing the kids post their work under each lesson. AND the boost that the parents get as well, because in the video lessons that parents AND kids enjoy, Kim talks to your artist about how to think like an artist.   Parents can also grow their inner artist, and voila, family drawing sessions!

Through years of teaching art to small groups in her home studio in Hamilton NZ, Kim has a way of diving deep into the artists knowing, and core beliefs in their drawing ability. 
Consistency is key, whatever you do. 

Grow that young artist! 
allsmilez.com/onlineart for more info about ways Kim can help you.

Why would a good art teacher, who really knows how to teach kids how to draw and paint, supply her little art students with a colouring in activity?!

Well, I figured that for the price of $4 I could buy at least 1 to show them what's available at kmart for cheap, but also to refer to a larger outline mandala like this, with no colour, and discuss how this mandala could so change it's look and feel/vibe depending on the colours used.  

I decided to grab the Paint Markers just to see if they might be any good, as I have been often times let down by my expensive as Posca paint pens.  So, for the price of one quality Posca pen, I got a whole pack at Kmart..... 

Well, I just love them.  
And so do the students.  
And I got a much added BONUS!

I discovered something really really beautiful (beyond the price of these 2 products used together!) And this is why I'm sharing this with you, so that you can get this cool vibe at home!

LOVE, COLLABORATION, PRIDE, CREATIVITY, DISCOVERY, INCLUSIVENESS, MEMORIES, AND MINDFULNESS!

My students fully embraced the sharing of this ONE MANDALA!  40 students have had a hand in this. If even just for a minute or so at time, they all remember the bits they've added.  

Originally I thought I would do a give away at the end of term, and one of the students could get to take this home, but now that I've felt the love vibes off of it, I think it would be best to keep it here in the studio as a memory of my lovely 2021 All Smilez kids.

So, my message to you dear parents, or grandparents, or whoever is reading this:

This is a wonderful activity to try at home with your family.  It's something that you could do in pairs while chatting, working together to turn and complete your chosen detail all the way around.  It's something that can worked on bit by bit over time.  It's something that everyone can add on to, even if it's just some little stippled dots like we've done in black. 

It's something awesome to have at the bach over summer, getting the whole extended family to add to. The collaboration of it is what makes it a special keepsake. It's what gives it the beautiful love vibes, and each artist who adds to it will remember the calming, mindful act of the colouring-in areas they've done.

So special.  And so affordable.  Mandala stretched canvas $4, Paint marker $9 for the set.  Both from Kmart.

Do you think this is something you'll do? Have you got other collaborate art ideas to share? Comment below and let me know. :)

Simply put, everyone is an artist. 

The sad thing is that those who don't believe they're an artist, have decided this at some point in their lives because of something that has happened. ( someone else's reaction, or unrealistic expectations from self or others ). The good news is, I can help people of all ages feel better about drawing and painting, and thank goodness some good folks have found me and I am able to help their children here in the studio or even online.

What I've learned:
Parent's usually bring their children to me for a few different and valid reasons.

They want me to engrain this confidence in their kids from an early age, so that they don't lose this into later life.  They value the visual arts and understand that it's important for creative development.

They have no idea how to help them at home because the parent's believe that they are not artists.

They know that their child is not receiving this education and guidance at school, or their school teacher is so busy with all of the other subjects that real art lessons are getting missed.  Most primary school teachers are not actually trained to teach children HOW to draw.

Parents are more and more realising the importance of mindful activities, and creativity.

They trust me that I can show them how to think like an artist, solve problems like an artist, and create works of art that are unique, skillful, and thoughtful. Keepsakes are made, relationships are built, future education pathways are influenced, and artists are nurtured.

If you have a child who already loves drawing, or a child who starting to doubt themselves and their artistic ability, or even a child who is just plain missing out of the benefits of drawing, please get in touch. I can help.

Can I help parents too? Yes, I sure can.  In fact, parents are loving to try my online lessons alongside their kids, and enjoying to send me photos of their own drawings, alongside their children's, and you know what?  THIS IS GOLD!!  Excellent role modelling right there!  Being vulnerable.  Trying something new.  How can our kids grow in drawing if their parent's are afraid to let loose and have some fun with it too? You may not even need my help.  Sometimes all your child needs is to watch YOU.  

So, long story short.  How do you know if your child is an artist? Do they draw and enjoy drawing? Yes? They are an artist.  No? They are still an artist but just don't know it yet.

This photo is by mother and daughter, Mariella and Ashlee, from the Drawing Challenge #2.  Just beautiful!

It means a lot to me that so many families have kept their children enrolled here for so long, over the years.  Most of my current students have been with me for more than 2 years, some as long as 6 or 7 years! It's certainly not what I had planned or imagined. And I sure to love it.  It feels like family, it really does! And I love them all.

I've tried before and chickened out, on creating online lessons so that I could help more people, but now I am pretty stoked to have found a platform that I feel works really well to set up an online course, AND works well from a student point of view of well...

So, with this being 10 years of All Smilez Art School, and (20 years of All Smilez website, back from when I painting personalised portraits), I am darn well going to celebrate!!!

It's not easy being self employed, in little ol' NZ.  I'd really love to thank everyone who has supported me over the years, bought my art, or enrolled their kids.  

And a HUGE thank you to the people who have left feedback for me to share.  This means the world to me, especially now that I need to figure how to get more people to find out about  new online art courses and clubs.

This photo is from 10 years ago, when I started after school classes by first renting a room in a school after hours.  Not long after that I bought my current home, and started converting the garage (on a tiny budget) into my current studio!!!

If you have special memories from way back then you'd like to share, feel free to email [email protected] or post on our facebook page! I'd love hear how everyone's going.

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Let's celebrate our birthday and boost self esteem with drawing and painting. The new art club is where you get weekly lessons, like in the Drawing Challenge, but these are in monthly themes.  You can currently sign up for 1 month or 6 months, and with the new package deals, you can get the drawing challenge for free. (value $35)

AND for our 10 year of art classes birthday, use the code BDAY to get 10% off all courses!
(excludes package deals and bundles and 1 month art club trials)

Save with packages and course bundles... 
Art club members are invited to join our facebook group.

Thanks again everyone, for all your love and support!

​Kim

Did you know that All Smilez got it's name from Kim's smiling students? It's true, but its not what you think.  Way before Kim started running small group art classes from her home studio, she was a primary school teacher. 

Even before she had her own children, she was a primary school teacher. 

And even before that she was an artist.

When she was at home with her first baby, she had to think of something inspiring to paint.  What was the first thing that came to mind?  Her sea of smiling students looking up at her from the classroom mat when she was a regular classroom teacher.  

That's when Kim started painting simple smiling children characters. These grew in popularity and soon Kim was painting personalised paintings sold all around the world!
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Check out this 2 page spread in Little Treasures parent's magazine from 2006!

Back at the start, she called it Artworx by Kim, and when it came time to build a better website, a more fitting name of All Smilez was born!
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From time to time Kim still gets orders for these little portraits.  And STILL receives emails from families who cherish these keepsakes 10-20 years later!
To get your own, even extra large family portrait style, where Kim paints these WITH  your children, go to this page:

When Kim decided to move from Raglan to Hamilton, and create her own little art classes, she called it Kreate Academy.... then when she realised she needed a website for this too, it became obvious that she should use the website she already had.  So the name Kreate was abandoned and All Smilez was jolted into something more!  

YES! Kim could combine her love of painting, with her teaching experience, AND her love of small groups/ 1 to 1 , more personalised teaching.

And do you know what????? I have something really special to tell you next. 
 
WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THE REVEAL OF THE NEXT DEVELOPMENTS IN OUR
ALL SMILEZ JOURNEY!

Let's face it.  We all know someone, young or old, who honestly believes that they are no good at drawing.  And that, my friends, is super sad.  

I have been working with children and adults in the exact same way, and I am happy to report that all of them could draw, although, lots did start off with a bit of resistance or fear.  If you or someone you know thinks they are no good at drawing, or that they just don't know how, so why should they bother.... PLEASE send them my way!

My drawing challenge is pretty private.  Great for building up confidence.  
I'm bringing to you, and other members of drawing challenge, 1 lesson per week.  
It's something I know that you can do.  You can do it as simply or detailed as you like.  

That's what I love about the way I teach.  It's doable. YOU are in charge. You need to be able to see that you can indeed ENJOY drawing first, then you can have fun experimenting with what you can do with the lesson of the week.  It's fun. 

Ideally, you might do this along side a family member, young or old.  Or at least you will talk to each other about it at home, even if you do the lessons at seperate times.

Check out our drawing challenge which starts Mon Mar 22, but after that you can still join up and do it whenever you like :)
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