Everywhere we look from movies, toys, and coloring books we see Disney characters. Walt Disney was a genius and his artists have created wonderful characters and entertainment opportunities. They have developed well known characters and their images adorn everything from clothes, costumes, coffee mugs, coloring books, posters and even bedspreads. So it is natural when looking for images to decorate a child’s room to consider everything and anything Disney. However there are many wonderful artists and illustrators and child friendly images we can introduce our children to.
For preschool and young elementary aged children considered the work of Jessie Wilcox Smith. Her tender images capture sweet childhood moments and the innocence of childhood. Beatrix Potter is another wonderful illustrator whose characters and books are very well known.
As your children get older consider Maxfield Parish and N. C. Wyeth. They are both very talented illustrators. Parish is a bit more fanciful, using beautiful colors, while Wyeth (father to Andrew Wyeth and grandfather to Jamie Wyeth) illustrated scenes of the American west and a wide variety of storybook scenes.
With older elementary students, chose artists that reinforce the personality and interests of your child. Many older boys are drawn to the intricate detail and puzzle like qualities of M.C. Escher’s work. Consider artists that portrayed subject matter to match the interests of your child, like Degas’s ballet dancers.
As my own children become young adults, they each have their unique favorite artists. They all enjoy the adventure of searching poster shops to find new artists and new favorite images. I’m always amused at the different taste and personalities they have all developed.
To see anything Disney, I only have to walk into the local supermarket or turn on my TV – to catch a glimpse of the individuals my children have become, I can look at the images that now adorn their own spaces and I know that at the very least, I showed them an art world beyond Disney.
