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A Study in Mark-Making: Children’s Creative Development & Monochromatic Art

  Working on dark-coloured paper is a fascinating study in mark-making and tonality. When you limit the palette to a single colour, the focus shifts to how the materials are explored and manipulated, and to the relationship between the artist and the medium. Over the holidays, we explored drawing on black paper with white markers. It reminded me of the time the children investigated white as a colour. The materials offered were black paper, white-coloured pencils, white oil pastels, white crayons, and white paint.  Through the process of creating with these materials, children learn that pressure, movement, and time shape the outcome of their mark-making. The journey of exploring how materials interact drives children’s early art explorations. Often, you can observe children working with materials until the paper becomes saturated, ripped, and muddied with colour. This is part of a developmental experience that deepens as children nurture their understanding of how materials...
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Creative Explorations

"Creative people are curious, flexible,
persistent, and independent with a
tremendous spirit of adventure
and a love of play."

Henri Matisse


 Today I am reflecting on not only my own creative process and journey but also how we nurture the creative spirit of the children we encounter every day in our learning environments. The evolution of this blog has followed by own journey with children in learning and play. I have been honoured to share this experience with them and this blog space with you. It is my hope that this space can continue to be a place where you can find inspiration in offering creative explorations within your own context. You may have noticed that the blog's name has changed from Inquiry Spaces and Wondering Places to Creative Explorations. 


I am excited to share new content and creative explorations with you here!

All my old posts are still here just under a brand new name. 
I am also working on new creative play resources for the Etsy Shop! So stay tuned.

 I am sharing some images from my studio space. 
Surrounding myself with traces of learning and inspiring materials helps me to be creative. 

 What inspires you in your creative space?
















Wishing you many creative explorations.

Sincerely,



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  1. Susan Wright -- Innovation to LearnMay 04, 2019 8:11 pm

    Michelle,

    What a beautiful post reflecting on your creative journey. Thank you for reminding us of the power of each person's creative journey.

    Nurturing the creative spirit of children in everyday environments is one of the ways we, as educators, parents, and communities impact children's learning experiences. When children connect in various ways within their own contexts, the relationships that emerge impact many layers of their being. It is here that the brilliance of children's creativity offers endless possibilities to the world.

    Thank you for always openly sharing your journey through your blog.

    Congratulations on your new blog post name: creative-explorations-mvh.blogspot.com ~ it's such a perfect match and I love how your initials are added to the title.

    Susan Wright
    https://www.innovation2learn.com
    connect. inspire. educate

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    1. Michelle van HeugtenMay 05, 2019 6:59 pm

      Thank you so much, Susan. I am always so inspired by you and all that you offer for children, families and educators. It is my hope that all children can have an opportunity to grow and develop their creative thinking through authentic and engaging experiences within their school and home experiences. The arts are very much such and important part of life and provide such a rich experience for all who engage in living creatively. I look forward to what the future holds as we journey creatively together. I can't thank you enough my dear friend. Sincerely, Michelle

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