Following the Creative Moment with Waldorfish
In our newest Martin & Sylvia: Learning Days story, "A New Way to Paint", brother and sister explore a new way to be creative.
In the story, it’s a cold December afternoon. Daddy takes the children to his art studio where they pull out the paint and canvases and begin to create. At first Martin is frustrated that his painting isn't going to plan, but then Daddy suggests a new way to make art: let the painting decide!
We here in Sparkle Land always try to get out of the way of the stories and let them tell us what they want to say. We thought our Sparklers would appreciate a hands-on tutorial to help follow the creative moment too! We teamed up with our friends at Waldorfish for a special video tutorial to help sparklers do just that.
More about Following the Creative Moment
This week, Sparkle Stories Spinner David Sewell McCann was joined by Brian of Waldorfish as they explored a process of responsive creativity. David tells a story while Brian creates artwork alongside, with each responding to the other through the whole process. The images guide the story and the story guides the images in turn.
The collaboration is about the "journey" and not the final product of a creative process. Too often, we place so much importance on the end result of a creative experience (painting, writing, performing, etc.) that we forget to celebrate the road that led us there. So Brian and David have joined together to demonstrate the real time joy of collaboration and responsive narrative.
How to Let the Paint Decide
Use the steps below and watch as David Sewell McCann and Brian of Waldorfish navigate a creative process together in which storytelling guides the visual art they create together.
We invite you to join the process.
- Start by gathering your art supplies — David and Brian use boards and colored chalk — but you can grab crayons and paper, paint and canvas, modeling clay, or any other supplies that you want to play and create with.
- To more easily incorporate creative moments into your daily routines in the future, see our suggestions on the Sparkle Blog for art supplies and creative play materials to keep on-hand.
- Once you are set up, press play and follow along. Let the story and the moment guide the creative process and see what you uncover!
- Get started! Choose a color and begin however you want. Sometimes the first stroke or line can be the hardest, so start by painting a shape or just make some color. Daddy’s advice from the story may be helpful here: “For me, painting is just paying attention to what is happening right then — right in that moment and then continuing in a direction. Sort of like following a path but not really knowing where I am going.”
- Notice what images come to mind? What does Captain Paige look like in your imagination? What about the sea monster? Or perhaps the coastal town where they live? There is no correct way to do it because we are all creating this world together!
- Once you are done, we’d love to see the results! Share your creations on Instagram or Facebook — and be sure to tag @sparkle_stories and @waldorfish.
Join in on the creativity and fun by watching here:
More About Waldorfish
Waldorfish began with Brian & Robyn Wolfe. They are both teachers (Waldorf and public school), and started this adventure in 2012 out of a desire to make training in the arts more accessible to homeschooling families everywhere. The work of Waldorfish helps families homeschool with more confidence and less chaos!
Waldorfish has expanded quickly, and now offers live and pre-recorded online courses around the world. Since 2018 they’ve added four additional teachers to the Waldorfish team.
More About Martin & Sylvia
Click through (below) to listen to “A New Way to Paint,” the latest story in our new Martin & Sylvia Collection, Learning Days. Explore the entire Martin & Sylvia series here.
If you aren’t already a Sparkle Stories subscriber, try 10 days of unlimited free listening on us! Sign up for a free trial HERE.
About the Authors
Brian Wolfe
Brian Wolfe has spent his entire adult life playing music, teaching, drawing, and coaching basketball to Waldorf-inspired kids. Summers often see Brian in China, California, and beyond where he works with teachers, parents, and students at various training centers.
Robyn Wolfe
An early career as a park ranger led Waldorfish co-founder, Robyn Wolfe, to her love of illustrating and education. Trained initially as both a public school and Waldorf teacher, she has been involved in art + education for over 25 years, including homeschooling her two children.
David Sewell McCann
David Sewell McCann fell in love with spinning stories in first grade – the day a storyteller came to his class and captured his mind and imagination. He has been engaged in storytelling all of his adult life through painting, film-making, teaching and performing. Out of his experience as a Waldorf elementary class teacher and parent, he has developed a four step method of intuitive storytelling, which he now shares through workshops and through this website.
Jessica Pounds
Jessica is a content creator, writer, strategist, and vintage pyrex collector. She has a passion for facilitating authentic connection, whether that's through her work at Sparkle Stories or her songwriting.
