‘My next painting will be inspired by Mother Nature’

Art and craft represents the expression of the soul. Through this skill, a child opens new windows towards the outside world as well as the inner recesses of his/her mind. So, when it comes to finding new vistas of creative expression, Apeejay Svran Global, class 1 student Ditvi Bartwal seems to be doing great. She is making productive use of her time by engaging in art and craft; an entertaining skill but also a medium of learning and growth. 

In a short informal interview, Ditvi and her mother Mrs. Sangeeta Bartwal discuss Ditvi’s progress in the world of shapes, sceneries and colours of happiness. Edited excerpts:

At what age did you start drawing?

Ditvi: I started drawing since I was four. I was in kindergarten back then.

Mrs. Sangeeta (Mother):  Actually, I am very fond of art. I sketch and paint as well. When Ditvi was in play school, her teacher used to give her those fill the colour activity sheets but she wouldn’t colour them. So, I felt that she hadn’t taken after me (laughs). I then started praising her with regard to her art work. Even if her drawing was not up to the mark still I would always appreciate her efforts. Encouragement and positive behavior reinforcement is very important for all, especially for children.

So after this, suddenly in kindergarten, she developed an avid interest in art. Now, she is doing very well in her art and craft work. She has exceeded my expectations. Now she completes her picture drawing book within a few days and paints 2-3 times in a week. She tirelessly goes from one artwork to the other.

How has Apeejay Svran Global School helped you to put your best foot forward?

Ditvi: I want to thank my class teacher Archana mam and my art teacher Kanchan mam.  They always encourage me a lot.

Mrs. Sangeeta: Every child gets personal attention at the school. The environment of the school is very good. Ditvi is good in art and craft but the school also encourages students who aren’t that skilled in art or other fields.

Till kindergarten, Ditvi was in Apeejay School, Panchsheel Park. We shifted to Faridabad last year. We were looking for a top-class school and it was then that we came across Apeejay Svran Global School. I must say that the school has lived up to our expectations. It is a top-class school.

The school teachers teach drawing to the children through various easy and fun ways. Through a circle, the children make figures like an igloo or a snowman. Yesterday Ditvi made a tiger and I was so amazed that how did a child at such a young age draw such a complex figure and that too so easily.

The school also organises many art and craft competitions. In the rakshabandhan rakhi-making competition, Ditvi had won a prize which gave her a huge boost of confidence.

Tell me about some of your art and craft works?

Ditvi: My first art work were butterflies. I coloured them with the rainbow colours (violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red). I put all the seven colours on every butterfly.

 Mrs Sangeeta: She has recently drawn three light bulbs. She has filled water and a fish in one and a boat in the second one. I am really amazed at the powers of her imagination at such a young age.

She has a cousin brother, who has curly hair. Whenever she draws him, she makes his hair curly like a Nigerian boy. (Laughs) So, we are all able to identify him in her drawings.  She had made flags, kites, igloo with clay, rakhis. She loves to draw herself with me. That is her favourite subject for an artwork.

What are your next art works going to be?

 Ditvi: They will be about nature. I want to draw myself watering the plants in the garden.

Mrs. Sangeeta: Ditvi loves drawing the most even ahead of craft-work and painting. She is very keen to use water colours though. She has seen the water colours in the all colour pack, so she wants the use the water colours that I use while painting.