As children we have so many ideas about what we want to be when we grow up. As parents we know our children’s dreams and plans will change as they grow and get to know themselves better. We strive to provide our kids the education and opportunities that will prepare them for whatever they decide to pursue. When children participate in the arts, music, dance or the visual arts, it’s not necessarily because they’ll be artists as adults – but because it’s key to a rich educational experience.

In some cases, participation or not participating in the arts directly affects a person’s career choice as an adult. Read this excerpt from my book, Being Visual, and see how Cindy’s choices were affected by not having instruction or direction in learning the ‘how to’ of drawing. Follow along with Cindy’s story…….

“As a young child, I loved making things and doing art. I loved to color and was one of those kids that colored perfectly. I was so careful, so detailed and never went out of the lines. But when I went to elementary school and had to draw, I was really frustrated. I remember being in class and the teacher expecting us to draw, but don’t remember her telling us how. I didn’t know how to draw things the way I could see them, so I gave up.

My grandmother taught me needlepoint, and I was an excellent seamstress at an early age, making all my own clothes. I wanted to be an interior designer, so I enrolled in college with that as my major. After a few classes, my earlier drawing frustration was back, hindering my ability to complete the course work. The instructor was kind, and told me I had a good eye for design, but I still couldn’t draw out the assignments. After a few classes, I decided to give up and switched from interior design to a major in textiles and clothing. Draping class was problematic when it came to drawing out my designs, but I managed to get through that one class to complete my degree. I minored in art history, because it was one way to be involved in art without having to draw!

As an adult, I still participate in a variety of art forms — sewing, cross stitch, quilting and decorating. I never became an interior designer, the career I really wanted, because I couldn’t draw. Now, if I have to draw something it’s still a painful experience. There are too many memories of wanting to do something so much and never learning how.”  – Cindy Funk, Manager of Finance and Reporting, Young Rembrandts

Bette Fetter Founder and CEO of Young Rembrandts and Author of Being Visual [email protected] Follow Bette on Twitter