Colin Neville is the curator of the website Not Just Hockney. As I am featured in his list of artists on this website, he kindly informed me recently about a very interesting gentleman called Thomas Ablett. I immediately felt a connection to this artist. Not only was he born in 1848, exactly 100 years before me, in 1948, but he was also a strong advocate in promoting children's art.

Thomas wrote several books on art for children in elementary schools and curated annual art exhibitions specifically for children, right up until 1980. I delved into Thomas Ablett's biography and loved his ethos of freedom of expression, which I try to encourage today through my tuitions and newspaper articles. How I wish I had discovered him earlier in my life, as I would have loved to meet and compare ideas with such an inspirational artist.

The online art competition I ran recently revealed a wealth of talent and also introduced me to many fascinating background stories of the young artists when they submitted their artwork. To some of these children art was their whole life, from getting up in the morning and struggling through a day in school with other subjects to going to bed at night. I could easily relate to this. Although I didn't particularly struggle academically, I would have gladly spent whole days painting and drawing. I love words and writing; therefore, literature was a subject I looked forward to and helped me survive through grammar school.

It is always assumed and generalised that boys will be less academic than girls. Over the past decade this has changed tremendously. However, the evidence I see in my art students still bears an element of truth. The girls, although they love their art, treat it more as a hobby and have sights on being dentists, opticians, etc., whereas at least two young boys just want to 'do art' all day long. There again I attended a party recently to celebrate one of my ex-student’s graduations from Oxford University. He still wishes to come and paint with me in my studio even though art did not feature in his degree. I think I will stick to my old motto of `Never Assume`.

As promised over the next few articles, I intend to showcase some of the submissions to the art competition that didn't get chosen, as well as some new submissions sent to my email or Curatorspace online. I am constantly amazed by not only the standard of work I receive but also the wonderful imagination and enthusiasm that is so obvious in every piece of work. 'Work' is probably the wrong word, as if it is a process and activity enjoyed, how can it be called 'work'?

My studio is my sanctuary. A place to escape, listen to music, paint and write. How lucky I am. I don't have blinkered vision and know that not every parent, carer and teacher has the time, space or inclination to seek out these young artists, enabling them to flourish and enrich their worlds in the chaos that surrounds us adults.

Clay and foil sculpture by Madryn Lloyd-Prys 13 yrs.

Tape and string sculpture by Robyn Bridge 4yrs.

The dedicated volunteers are still trying to source a new location/premises for the Trapezium Art Gallery, which sadly had to close a few months ago. As soon as they are lucky with their search, I hope to resume the annual children's art exhibitions. This year I sufficed with the online competition, and I'm now looking for other opportunities for my file of eager young artists.

I would like children between 4 years and 11yrs to look at the artist L.S. Lowry and create a painting or drawing on A4 or A3 paper in the style of Lowry. Please send clear images to my email address, including the artist's name, age and location, by September 4th.
Email: purplegrandma48@gmail.com

Curatorspace (Children's and Young People's Art Opportunity)