Foreword by William C Ketchum Jr Untitled by Bill Traylor circa 1940 Over the past two decades the number of art and antiques enthusiasts has increased exponentially Today millions of Americans create or collect folk art Writers have been quick to capitalize on this phe nomenon turning out hundreds of books designed to educate the enthusiast Up to now however these
texts have been directed solely to the adult market No one has thought to provide basic information for children and young adults despite the fact that they represent the next generation Richard Panchyk's American Folk Art for Kids repre sents an important first step in the education of these youthful art and antiques lovers and the field he has chosen is a particularly suitable one Folk art is read ily understood by all Children who are naturally drawn to painting and sculpture have an affinity for folk expression After all it relates directly to life The child with enthusiasm and an open mind can readily accept and appreciate a carved wooden doll or a toy house constructed of Popsicle sticks Apparent crudeness in construction and failure to follow the accepted canons of academic art which might turn off a sophisticated adult will be seen by the youthful enthusiast as signs of playfulness and artistic vigor In fact folk art which springs from the most innate needs and nature of humankind is the perfect field through which to introduce youth to the world of art and antiques Panchyk moreover has combined sound intro ductions to a variety of folk art fields with interesting hands on projects that allow the reader to experience and explore the same creative feelings that animate the folk artist This approach draws the child into the crafter's world and supplements the text making it more readily understandable In combination text
and projects provide an innovative introduction to folk art that seems guaranteed to produce a new gen eration of enthusiastic folk art and antique
Foreword by Mr Imagina tion We are born with the ability to make art When a little baby looks at lots of colors they can relate Kids start really young There's something about holding a crayon and doing a swirl Kids like to make dots and lines Lots of kids are self taught from early on It's almost as if their hands have some type of rhythm and it's amazing Lots of kids are actually geniuses But you can't force it Art has to be a very natural thing Ministry runs in my family My great great aunt told me I was going to be a minister But it turned out I would be a minister of art I have been working with kids and teenagers and parents for many many years and to this day Parents say I can't make art I tell parents just try it just try it I have taught thousands and thousands and thousands of kids Lots of kids have told me once they get older they want to be an artist I run into some of the ones I taught who are adults and have kids of their own They would say they still have their art pieces they made Lots of artists have this wonderful talent but are afraid to share it because someone might steal their ideas But I am happy if the kids I teach might go back to their neighborhoods and teach
