“All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.”

Pablo Picasso

I completely relate to the sentiment behind this quote. It beautifully captures the idea that creativity is innate in children, but the challenge lies in preserving that artistic spirit as they navigate adulthood. Picasso’s words remind us of the importance of nurturing imagination and self-expression at every stage of life.

There’s a serious flaw in today’s education system—its overwhelming focus on traditionally academic subjects is suffocating the confidence of the next generation of artists. In the modern classroom, there’s a rigid distinction between “right” and “wrong,” and all too often, “wrong” is treated as failure. But art doesn’t work that way.

Creativity thrives on exploration, on daring to push boundaries, on making mistakes! Some of the most breathtaking artistic breakthroughs are born from those so-called “wrongs.” If a child is conditioned to fear failure, they won’t take risks, they won’t experiment, and they certainly won’t create anything truly original. Art is subjective—no one has the authority to label a creative work as right or wrong.

The current curriculum might serve future lawyers, accountants, and economists well, but for those with a natural gift for creativity, it often leaves their talents undervalued, unappreciated, or worst of all—undiscovered. A child’s entire sense of self-worth could be diminished, their creative spirit stifled, their passion lost to a career that never truly fulfills them.

Beyond its value as an expressive outlet, art is crucial for mental well-being, both in children and adults. Creative activities like painting, sculpting, and drawing help children develop emotional intelligence, confidence, and problem-solving skills. For adults, the act of making art can relieve stress, encourage mindfulness, and provide a much-needed sense of achievement. Art fosters self-expression and imagination, shaping minds and enriching lives at every stage.

Yet, in an age dominated by screen time, attention spans are shrinking and children are increasingly consuming rather than creating—absorbing the imaginations of others instead of harnessing their own.

Simply put, we owe it to future generations to champion creativity. The current curriculum doesn’t always make space for it, but we can. And if you need convincing, take a moment to watch Ken Robinson’s TED talk—the most viewed of all time—for a compelling case on why we must rethink how we educate our children.

What I Do:

• I lead school-based creative workshops specialising in clay, wire sculpture, and drawing.
• They can be bespoke projects designed to match your school’s requirements or tried and tested workshops.

Why me?

• I am a professional male artist making a living from my art and through teaching.
• I have nearly 10 years experience of teaching people of all ages including children.
• I have worked with over 20 schools and youth groups.
• I am fun, encouraging, and engaging.

Zoom-based drawing sessions

• Zoom-based art sessions for kids provide a fantastic alternative when in-person classes aren’t possible, offering a flexible and accessible way to engage in creativity, regardless of location or busy schedules.
• They are great fun, affordable and really affirm that drawing is a pastime that is available to us all, at any time.

Why clay and sculpting is so important?

• There tends to be a 2D bias in schools so sculpture is a less well-known medium to school children.
• Very few schools have kilns anymore so children are not exposed to the joys of clay, in fact some children may never even get to touch clay during their early, informative years.

Why explore clay or sculpture?

• Both clay and sculpture is incredibly tactile and engaging. The liveliest of classrooms can be silenced by the captivating powers of clay!
• Sculpting can change people’s lives for the better.

Past Projects:

I have run a large number of projects at different levels of scale. Some pictures are included below: