The Hands of Creation series manifested from my teaching transformative art to vulnerable and emotionally troubled children at a mental health agency in Oakland, CA. Ideally, in my work, I seek to honor that state of the soul where the artist/child experiences the ultimate liberation, which is the personal act of creation itself.
Tamoni's Hands Age 5
Still editing this--I have 100's of interviews
"What does art mean to you?
Ever since I began as a transformative art teacher at Lincoln Child Center, I have been asking this ongoing question to myself and to my students everyday that we meet in the
"calm room' --the art room. This is what transpires.
Javier one of my students who is age 7, said
“painting makes me feel happy. When I make art, I learn about the parts of myself that are a mystery.”
“Glactius”
Artist: Deharel
Age: 11
Acrylic on Canvas
Art helps me find my own creativity. My favorite thing to do in art is painting.
When I grow up I want to create video games and I want to become a scientist who studies volcanoes. When I created this painting I grew as an artist.
“I Really Don’t Know”
Artist Rayu
Age: 12
Acrylic on Canvas
Art is fun. My favorite thing to do in art is everything. I come from a long line of artists. My family is Cambodian it reflects on me to shine and to become an Artist. In art I am always learning and making up new techniques. When I grow up, I want to be a mechanic. The most beautiful moment in my life was when I was brought into this world.
“THRASH”
Artist Rayu
Age: 12
Acrylic on Canvas
Art is fun. My favorite thing to do in art is everything. I come from a long line of artists. My family is Cambodian it reflects on me to shine and to become an Artist. In art I am always learning and making up new techniques. When I grow up, I want to be a mechanic. The most beautiful moment in my life was when I was brought into this world.
“NV’S SLASH”
Artist Rayu
Age: 12
Acrylic on Canvas
Art is fun. My favorite thing to do in art is everything. I come from a long line of artists. My family is Cambodian it reflects on me to shine and to become an Artist. In art I am always learning and making up new techniques. When I grow up, I want to be a mechanic. The most beautiful moment in my life was when I was brought into this world.
“HORIZON”
Artist Jericho
Age: 12
Acrylic on Canvas
Art means I do not quit and I learn patience. When I grow up I want to a football player/artist.
“DANTE”
Artist Alexus
Age: 12
Acrylic on Canvas
Art is joyful. I learn about quality in myself when I doing art. When I grow up I want to be a doctor, a dentist, a policewoman, and a teacher.
“A FRUIT BOWL”
Artist Alexus
Age: 12
Acrylic on Canvas
Art is joyful. I learn about quality in myself when I doing art. When I grow up I want to be a doctor, a dentist, a policewoman, and a teacher.
“”
Name: IAN
Age: 12
Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas
Art is fun!! It is an expression of my feelings. I love to paint. Through the colors that I use I am getting to know myself. From doing art I am learning to use better actions when I am angry. I put my anger and expression in my art.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Police Officer
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I made my first painting at LCC.
“PRIMAL GRR”
Artist: Isabel
Age: 13
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Art brings hope to me, inspires me as an artist, encourages faith in myself and helps me dream into my future. I enjoy painting and lettering on canvas. In art I learn to express my feelings and calm myself down. I also learn that I can do what I want to do and be what I want to be when I do art.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a cosmetologist or a masseuse because I like to do hair and nails and I like to bring pleasure to others through massage.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life?
When I was born was a beautiful moment because I came into the world and I am gonna be somebody.
“THE SNOWFLAKES OF ANGELS”
Artist: Jasmine
Age 14
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
When I was ten I discovered that I loved art. I find art very therapeutic. When I feel that life is tough I do art. To me art is freedom and power.
What do you want to be when you grow up? When I am an older my wishes are live in India and to have an art studio and teach other children the power art.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life?
“HOPE”
Artist: Jasmine
Age 14
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
When I was ten I discovered that I loved art. I find art very therapeutic. When I feel that life is tough I do art. To me art is freedom and power.
What do you want to be when you grow up? When I am an older my wishes are live in India and to have an art studio and teach other children the power art.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life?
“WILD CHILD”
Artist: Jasmine
Age 14
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
When I was ten I discovered that I loved art. I find art very therapeutic. When I feel that life is tough I do art. To me art is freedom and power.
What do you want to be when you grow up? When I am an older my wishes are live in India and to have an art studio and teach other children the power art.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life?
“ TO DUNE ”
Artist: Ruben
Age : 8
Medium: Mixed Media On Canvas
Art it is cool. I like to paint, draw, and do anything that starts with an A. I just love art.
What do you want to be when you grow up?I want to be an artiste.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? My happy place called art
“SPACE ”
Artist: Marquis
Age : 12
Acrylic on canvas
Art is a way of life. My favorite thing to do in art is make the painting bright. In art I learn more and more.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A baseball player.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? Playing basketball.
“A COLORFUL MASTERPIECE”
Artist: Julius
Age: 11
Acrylic on Canvas
Art is very peaceful. while doing art I am a calmer person. The most beautiful moment in my life was when I was painting roses on a wall in fourth grade art class.
“MAN WALKING”
Artist: Anthony
Age: 13
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Art is the expression of my feelings. My favorite thing to do in art is action painting. I have learned that I am an artist.
What do you want to be when you grow up? An engineer
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I went to six flags with my family.
“DANTE”
Artist Alexus
Age: 12
Acrylic on Canvas
Art is joyful. I learn about quality in myself when I doing art. When I grow up I want to be a doctor, a dentist, a policewoman, and a teacher.
“FOCUS”
Name: IAN
Age: 12
Medium: Mixed Media on Canvas
Art is fun!! It is an expression of my feelings. I love to paint. Through the colors that I use I am getting to know myself. From doing art I am learning to use better actions when I am angry. I put my anger and expression in my art.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Police Officer
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I made my first painting at LCC.
“PRIMAL GRR”
Artist: Isabel
Age: 13
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Art brings hope to me, inspires me as an artist, encourages faith in myself and helps me dream into my future. I enjoy painting and lettering on canvas. In art I learn to express my feelings and calm myself down. I also learn that I can do what I want to do and be what I want to be when I do art.
What do you want to be when you grow up?
I want to be a cosmetologist or a masseuse because I like to do hair and nails and I like to bring pleasure to others through massage.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life?
When I was born was a beautiful moment because I came into the world and I am gonna be somebody.
“THE SNOWFLAKES OF ANGELS”
Artist: Jasmine
Age 14
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
When I was ten I discovered that I loved art. I find art very therapeutic. When I feel that life is tough I do art. To me art is freedom and power.
What do you want to be when you grow up? When I am an older my wishes are live in India and to have an art studio and teach other children the power art.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life?
“BRIDGE OF HOPE”
Artist: Jasmine
Age 14
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
When I was ten I discovered that I loved art. I find art very therapeutic. When I feel that life is tough I do art. To me art is freedom and power.
What do you want to be when you grow up? When I am an older my wishes are live in India and to have an art studio and teach other children the power art.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life?
.
“ PASSION”
Artist: Shay
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Art is power. When I do art I am at peace and I learn that I can make no mistakes.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Baseball player.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I was picking flowers.
“THE WONDER STILL LIFE”
Artist: Kacie
Age: 10
Medium: acrylic on canvas
Art means to me family, earth, and flowers. When I am painting I learn about relationships and that I am happy.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A veterinarian
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I was first born and my grandma cut my umbilical cord.
“ACTION”
Artist: Austin
Age: 11 turning 12
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art means I can do anything I put my mind to. Art is a thing I love to do it is relaxing and calming.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Billionaire
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I did this painting it is the best one I have ever done.
“GOLD ACTION”
Artist: Austin
Age: 11 turning 12
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art means I can do anything I put my mind to. Art is a thing I love to do it is relaxing and calming.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Billionaire
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I did this painting it is the best one I have ever done.
“ PASSION”
Artist: Shay
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Art is power. When I do art I am at peace and I learn that I can make no mistakes.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Baseball player.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I was picking flowers.
“ POWER”
Artist: Shay
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Art is power. When I do art I am at peace and I learn that I can make no mistakes.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Baseball player.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I was picking flowers.
“ MARKS”
Artist: Shay
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Art is power. When I do art I am at peace and I learn that I can make no mistakes.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Baseball player.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I was picking flowers.
“THE WONDER ”
Artist: Kacie
Age: 10
Medium: acrylic on canvas
Art means to me family, earth, and flowers. When I am painting I learn about relationships and that I am happy.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A veterinarian
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I was first born and my grandma cut my umbilical cord.
“ACTION”
Artist: Austin
Age: 11 turning 12
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art means I can do anything I put my mind to. Art is a thing I love to do it is relaxing and calming.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Billionaire
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I did this painting it is the best one I have ever done.
“GOLD ACTION”
Artist: Austin
Age: 11 turning 12
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art means I can do anything I put my mind to. Art is a thing I love to do it is relaxing and calming.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Billionaire
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I did this painting it is the best one I have ever done.
“GLITTER”
Artist: Sarah
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art is about learning to have faith and to have fun.
“PAINT OF THEORY”
Artist: Hadari
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art is about spirit’s and stuff. In art I like to paint and shake it around. And use my imagination. I learn about patience and it makes me feel good about myself.
“COLOR SPOTS”
Artist: Dion
Age: 10
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art makes me feel good and no one can take that from me. I learned from art I am talented.
“GOLDEN BUDDHA”
Artist: Dion
Age: 10
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art makes me feel good and no one can take that from me. I learned from art I am talented.
“PERIMETER”
Artist: Javaya
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art is about expressing myself. My favorite thing to do in art is abstract painting. In art I learned that I can get my feelings out.
“MAGNIFICENT”
Artist: Javaya
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art is about expressing myself. My favorite thing to do in art is abstract painting. In art I learned that I can get my feelings out.
“FEELINGS”
Artist: Michael
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art is everything to me and when I do art I learn about life,
“BRIDGE OF HOPE”
Artist: Jasmine
Age 14
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
When I was ten I discovered that I loved art. I find art very therapeutic. When I feel that life is tough I do art. To me art is freedom and power.
What do you want to be when you grow up? When I am an older my wishes are live in India and to have an art studio and teach other children the power art.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life?
“THE BOOK OF LIFE”
Artist: Ashley
Age: 10
Medium: Acrylic on canvas.
Art means love. It teaches me patience and that I m creative.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A star.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? Being with my mom.
“LADY OF LOVE”
Artist: Ashley
Age: 10
Medium: Acrylic on canvas.
Art means love. It teaches me patience and that I m creative.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A star.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? Being with my mom.
“ PASSION”
Artist: Shay
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Art is power. When I do art I am at peace and I learn that I can make no mistakes.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Baseball player.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I was picking flowers.
“THE WONDER STILL LIFE”
Artist: Kacie
Age: 10
Medium: acrylic on canvas
Art means to me family, earth, and flowers. When I am painting I learn about relationships and that I am happy.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A veterinarian
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I was first born and my grandma cut my umbilical cord.
“ACTION”
Artist: Austin
Age: 11 turning 12
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art means I can do anything I put my mind to. Art is a thing I love to do it is relaxing and calming.
What do you want to be when you grow up? Billionaire
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When I did this painting it is the best one I have ever done
‘REBIRTH”
Artist: Alerrai
Age; 12 getting ready to be 13
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art means a lot. Art takes you into another dimension. It is better than anything in this world. With art I learn about life and that I am a good person.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A singer and artist.
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? Playing sports.
‘THE FLOWERS OF THE WORLD”
Artist: Manisha
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art is about feelings. I learn how to take up for myself.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A children’ doctor
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? The hills of Arkansas
‘THE FLOWER OF THE WORLD”
Artist: Manisha
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art is about feelings. I learn how to take up for myself.
What do you want to be when you grow up? A children’ doctor
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? The hills of Arkansas
‘THE LONE ISLAND”
Artist: Charles
Age: 11
Medium: Acrylic on canvas
Art is about love.
What do you want to be when you grow up? An army man
Tell me about a beautiful moment in your life? When my grandpa tells jokes
