In children's art class we sat in a ring of kindergarten…
““In children's art class we sat in a ring of kindergarten chairs and drew three daffodils that had just been picked out of the yard; and while I was drawing, my sharpened yellow pencil and the cup of the yellow daffodil gave off wiffs just alike. That the pencil doing the drawing should give off the same smell of the flower it drew seemed part of the art lesson - as shouldn't it be? Children, like animals use all their sense to discover the world. Then artists come along and discover it the same way, all over again. Here and there, it's the same world. Or now and then we'll hear from an artist who's never lost it.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Children naturally use all senses to explore, and artists can recapture that sensory immersion in their work.
In simple terms: Kids sense everything; artists can feel the world similarly.
Key Takeaway
Engage all senses when creating or observing art.
Themes
creativity
sensory perception
learning
Mood
contemplative
inquisitive
Type
educational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- art class
- nature walks
- creative workshops
Key Concepts
sensory immersion
artistic intuition
education
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you reconnect with sensory observation?
- What does “smell of a drawing” mean to you?
A Different Perspective
Adults may lose this instinctive sensitivity over time.