Looking back on the beginning of the creative arts module, I was full of anticipation and enthusiasm as I have been

passionate about the creative arts all along. I am looking forward to learn new art techniques and get opportunities to explore different tools and medium of art. I have been wondering what art actually constitutes. There are so many different styles and media that are classified as art, that it is nearly impossible to find a common element amongst all of them. The creative journey I undertake during the module was an eye-opener for me as I discovered and learnt that art can be use in different aspects other than being use as an aesthetic enhancer in an environment. Art can also be a source of therapy. To celebrate this journey and marks the end of this module, I have created an art piece that reflects my views as an early childhood educator. I have always had a passion for painting and the element of colour never fail to fascinate me. I knew right away, how I would want to express my views, thoughts and feelings through art. I have no idea how my art piece is going to look like. Well, I have always painted with my emotions, putting colours on that clean canvas as I explore my thoughts and emotions during the process of creating my art piece. I like expressing my creative thoughts through a physical medium and I desire to use my artistic product not only to express myself but to make a connection with an audience. I gained inspirations from the famous artist Jackson Pollock. His artistic style is abstract expressionism. I absolutely adore this art form. Pollock used the elements of painting itself, rather than recognizable objects (nature, people) as his subject matter. The color, line, brush strokes, texture, form, and play of light and dark create the "subject." The painting cannot be intellectually interpreted, but the mind can make sense of it in terms of the abstract power, forces and shapes, contrast in colors, and mood. The artistic and emotional appeal was the force and freedom is what the painting's images suggested to me. The meaning of the painting seemed to be connected to whatever meaning was to be found in life.

The main element of my art piece is colour. I vividly still remember the instance I started working on my art piece. I was drawn to the colour red amongst all the tubes of paint. It reminds me of my burning passion in teaching. I just allow my hand to spread the paint on the canvas, allowing my emotions to be embedded onto the canvas as I painted. As I painted, I thought about my views and feelings as an early childhood educator. I felt another emotion evolved in me. This time, I felt strength, an early childhood educator needs to be strong physically, emotionally and even mentally to get through a day working with the children. I let my emotions choose the appropriate colour. I picked the colour orange. The whole process was repeated, choosing colours and painting with different kinds of brush strokes all directed by my emotions. I was satisfied with my masterpiece, not because, it look great aesthetically but because I was pleased with myself for being able to express my thoughts, views and feelings on that very piece of blank canvas.I had transformed that canvas into a an art piece that speaks volume. It was my expression of my profession as an early childhood educator. This creative journey which I undertook during the course of this module is only the beginning of more such journeys, it has broaden my perspective about the creativity. I have gained a new understanding of what creativity means In order to foster genuine creativity ,I ,as the teacher, must understand what creativity is and then develop the setting, attitudes and opportunities for children to develop their creativity. Creativity is considered important in many other learning areas for example from learning to write to learning mathematics. I particularly remembered what my mentor once said, to be a great teacher, one need to be a creative teacher. Creativity is often seen as the goal of art classes. But this does not mean that merely placing paint pot and paper in front of a child will nurture her/his latent creativity. I will definitely put what I have learnt to my daily practice as an early childhood educator. In order to foster creativity in the children under my care,I will pay more attention to the proper setting of the environment, to nurture children who are not inhibited by fear of freedom; changing my teaching style that blends acceptance, seriousness toward art productions, a sense of fun, and the absence of a desire to dictate acceptable outcomes; and lastly to provide the time and materials for making art . Most importantly, I want to change the perspective of many individuals who view art as non important.