Scarlet Embrace – Painting of the Week

Posted by

Laurellee

December 3, 2025

On December 3, 2025

Sharing Art with Children

Here is a Poinsettia Painting you can keep up all year round. Scarlet Embrace, with its dramatic combination of reds and greens, shows a full range of values cascading diagonally through the canvas. The other day after admiring the beautiful Poinsettia on my counter I started thinking; “I should paint, it but do I have time?” Then after putting away my work, saw it again, grabbed it and the plant, and enjoyed completing this painting. I kept hearing master artist and dear friend Rose Edin’s words about color, and they helped guide me to its completion.

Sincerely,

P.S. Scarlet Embrace has a special holiday discount until December 5^th

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Children love this painting of Wolves Howling in my children’s book Samson’s Gift

Here is a wonderful article Nadine Reid wrote for you about sharing art with children:

Art and Imagination: Helping Your Child with Special Needs Connect Through Creativity

Every parent knows the magic that happens when their child’s imagination runs wild. For parents of special needs children, fostering that creative spark can open doors to communication, confidence, and joy. Whether through paint, clay, dance, or music, the arts provide a flexible, sensory-rich space where children can explore the world on their own terms.

Encourage your child’s artistic engagement by starting small, adapting materials to their needs, introducing sensory-friendly projects, and celebrating progress. Use accessible tools, digitize their work, and explore community programs that nurture creativity and self-expression.

Why the Arts Matter So Much

Creative expression isn’t just about art—it’s about voice. Children with autism, ADHD, or physical or cognitive disabilities often find comfort and empowerment through visual and tactile creation. According to The Art of Autism, art can improve sensory integration and emotional regulation. It also helps build patience, communication, and self-awareness.

Getting Started: A Quick Checklist

Observe your child’s sensory preferences. Do they love texture or color? Loud or quiet spaces?
Create a dedicated art zone. Even a small corner helps establish routine and comfort.
Experiment with different mediums. Try finger painting, collage, or clay.
Adapt tools for accessibility. Use larger brushes, easy-grip crayons, or non-toxic, low-odor materials.
Incorporate movement. Dance or body painting can support gross motor coordination.
Celebrate effort, not perfection. Display artwork proudly at home.
Document their progress. Photos, portfolios, or digital collections show growth over time.

How-To: Create an Art Routine at Home

Step	Action	Why It Helps
1	Set a regular time for art	Builds anticipation and structure
2	Use calm lighting and background music	Reduces overstimulation
3	Offer clear, simple instructions	Supports comprehension
4	Give choices (“paint or draw?”)	Encourages autonomy
5	Pause for sensory breaks	Keeps engagement positive
6	Reflect afterward	Helps children express what they felt or created

Preserving Their Masterpieces Digitally

Your child’s creations deserve to last. Scan, photograph, and store their best works to create a digital art gallery. Organizing files by theme or year can help track progress and make sharing easier. For long-term archiving, consider saving their images as PDFs—this format preserves quality and is easy to print or share. You can try a PDF conversion tool to transform scanned drawings or photos into PDFs instantly.