Family Activity Inspired by Shantell Martin's Dance Everyday, 2017

Artist Shantell Martin loves drawing, and she loves drawing so much that she doesn’t just draw on paper, she draws on everything! When drawing, Martin doesn’t spend too much time thinking about what her work will look like at the end, but rather she has a process that is a meditative and uninhibited flow.

In this easy Family Activity, we'll walk you through how to make a drawing inspired by Martin's Dance Everyday, 2017.

Shantell Martin working on her mural, Dance Everyday, 2017, at 537 East Delavan Avenue. Photograph by Connie Tsang.

Getting Started

  • What does this work of art make you think about?
  • How is it different than other artworks you have seen before?
  • What would you create on an entire wall?
  • Read a book that goes along with this activity: The Dot, Beautiful Oops, The Line, or Harold and the Purple Crayon (most of these books are available as read-aloud videos on YouTube)

Materials

  • Pencil or pen
  • Paper

Bonus, if you have on hand:

  • Markers, colored pencils, crayons
  • Paint and brushes
  • Really big paper

Artmaking Activity

1. Start by drawing a simple line or shape on a sheet of paper. When you are working, don’t worry about what your picture is going to look like in the end. All you have to do is start moving your pen, pencil, marker, or paint brush on the page.

2. Now, think about what that line could become. Or, just start drawing and don’t think at all. Maybe your line could turn into a friendly sea creature? Or a winged creature?

Or go more abstract using lines and patterns. Words? Why not!

What else could this line be turned into? A wave with boats sailing? A plate of spaghetti meatballs? When you are making your own you can use as many colors, words, or images as you want—no limits here! See if you can fill up your whole page starting with just one line.

Optional: Share your creation on Twitter or Instagram with #AKBeyondWalls and #MuseumFromHome!

Vocabulary

Mural: art specifically created directly on walls

Inspiration: the process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative