I’m thrilled to welcome Steve Barr today with an idea that will touch the hearts of many…
As a professional cartoonist and the author of 13 “How to Draw” books, I’ve spent my entire life trying to make other people laugh and smile. While this has been an extremely satisfying endeavor over the years, it’s not exactly a get-rich-quick scheme! My path along the way has had many ups and downs, triumphs and failures. But the rewards—those smiles on other people’s faces—have always made me feel like the roller-coaster ride we know as freelancing was worth it.
However, lately I’ve found myself longing to do something with a much more profound, longer-lasting impact. I’ve begun to feel drawn (no pun intended!) to begin working with pediatric patients and their families. Art activities, as well as music therapy, has been shown to substantially reduce stress in young children who are battling really difficult diseases. Drawing and painting has even been proven to have fairly long-lasting effects involving pain reduction.
Find that hard to believe? Check out the results of this study that was released by the National Institute of Health!
I can’t think of a better type of art therapy than teaching children to draw cartoons! It’s easy to do, entertaining and distracting. When kids are in the hospital, they have very little control over anything in their life. They’re expected to follow orders, and do whatever they are told. But when they’re drawing cartoons, there are NO RULES! Cartooning is one of the only art forms I know of where someone’s art is not expected to look exactly like someone else’s. Every successful cartoonist I know has a very distinct style that is easily recognizable as their own.
That’s why I’ll be teaching the children to experiment, to try different techniques, explore options and just have fun with their creations. Their drawings will begin with simple lines and shapes, and we’ll build on that to come up with characters that they can bring to life! The lessons are so easy to follow, I’ve had five year-olds grasp them immediately and amaze me with their natural talent.
Once the patients and their families feel comfortable with the cartoons they’ve drawn, they’ll be encouraged to experiment by making slight alterations to their creation to change them into other characters. That will let them have hours of fun on their own after I’ve left.
I want to provide these services completely free of charge to the hospitals, patients, their families and the art therapy groups that serve the facilities where they’re being treated. I’m dreaming of also sharing them with the surrounding communities and bringing more attention to the lingering benefits these classes will have.
But I can’t do this alone. I need help. I’ve begun researching grant opportunities and funding possibilities, but those can be very difficult for individuals to qualify for. With that in mind, I decided to set up a “Go Fund Me” page and seek funding from other people who would like to help me make this happen. If you’d like to take a peek at that campaign, here’s a link: http://www.gofundme.com/e9oahg
When children are hospitalized and fighting diseases like cancer, they often have a difficult time expressing how they are feeling. Art therapy can often help them open up and share their emotions. When they’re drawing cartoons, they can do that simply and easily with just a few shapes and lines. This can help both the medical staff and their therapists determine where the kids are in the process, and address any problems they’re having in dealing with their treatments.
I am hoping that this idea will continue to grow. If it really takes off, I would love to involve other cartoonists and illustrators in the effort. It has already become quite a time-consuming process, but I know the rewards will be fantastic.
If you’d like to help, but can’t contribute, please feel free to share the link with your friends: http://www.gofundme.com/e9oahg.Β Any exposure will be helpful, and together we can put smiles on lots of little faces and laughter in their hearts.
I honestly cannot think of a better way to spend the next few years of my life. And perhaps even longer than that!
Note: Please feel free to use the drawing lessons I’ve included in this blog if you are an Art Therapist, Child Life Specialist, Teacher or Nurse who works with children. Parents and guardians are also welcome to share the lessons with their kids. It’s not to be republished commercially without permission, but I’d be quite happy if it was shared personally with kids who would enjoy it.
15 comments
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September 29, 2014 at 7:16 am
aliciaminor
Hi Tara, Can they provide an address for mailing a check? Thanks.
Alicia minor
September 29, 2014 at 7:41 am
Tara Lazar
I’ll get Steve to provide that info. Thanks, Alicia!
September 29, 2014 at 8:42 am
Pat Miller
Done! Thanks for the opportunity, Tara.
September 29, 2014 at 9:49 am
Steve Barr
Thank you for your support, everyone! If you’d like to contribute directly, my address is: Steve Barr, 77 Blue Diamond Lane, Columbus, NC 28722
September 29, 2014 at 9:53 am
Steve Barr
I am seeking grants for this as well, but they are difficult for individuals to get. Due to the fact that many pediatric patients have compromised immune systems, all art supplies taken into the hospitals have to be brand new and unopened. I’m hoping to raise enough funds to be able to provide an art packet for each child, which will include new pencils, a 50 sheet drawing pad, a pencil sharpener that catches its own shavings (no messes in hospital rooms!), a non-toxic marker for inking and a box of 12 colored pencils. If I buy in bulk, I can put each kit together for around 10 dollars, and the children can keep their pack after the lessons are done. That way, they can continue drawing cartoons and smiling long after I’m gone! π
September 29, 2014 at 10:34 am
Joanne Sher
This is a FABULOUS, and wonderful, idea. I get paid Wednesday, and will definitely be contributing (a pittance unfortunately – but SOMETHING for sure) for this cause. Thank you for this – and praying you get all the funding you need!
September 29, 2014 at 3:18 pm
Rosi Hollinbeck
This sounds like a terrific project. I will be donating soon. Thanks for posting this, Tara, and thanks for doing this for the kids, Steve.
September 29, 2014 at 5:39 pm
erikaviktor
This is such a wonderful cause! As a person who loves drawing and has spent some time with ill children in the past, I applaud your service here. What a sweet thing to do!
September 30, 2014 at 6:35 pm
thiskidreviewsbooks
This sounds AMAZING! I love this! π
October 4, 2014 at 11:54 am
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October 7, 2014 at 10:16 am
Steve Barr
Thanks, everybody! I am already beginning to get invitations to visit hospitals, and can’t wait to draw with the kids. Time to go get my flu shot!
October 27, 2014 at 4:30 am
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[…] will write more about this later as it is a subject very dear to my heart. For now, take a look at TARA LAZAR’S BLOG POST about the subject and check out the link […]
October 28, 2014 at 4:44 am
Kimi
Cute. π
October 29, 2014 at 9:49 pm
Lynn A. Davidson
This is so great. I am reblogging this post October 30. Thanks, Tara .. and Steve!
November 2, 2014 at 6:27 pm
Debbie Mickelson
This is an amazing gift.