Kaylea J. Mangrum
The two books I have published are a lifetime desire of mine. I believe that all people should follow their dreams. I truely hope you enjoy my books and begin to see just how beautiful the world God created is, hopefully you will want to draw and paint what you see....
I am a self taught artist and love children, I teach special needs children as well as all ages to draw and love the world around them.
Foreword
When I was young, I loved drawing, but as I grew it became too difficult. Gradually, I drew less and less, finally stopping completely. As an adult, because of my children, I began to draw again. I helped them with projects and volunteered at school. When my last child graduated from high school, the principal of his school asked me if I would be interested in starting an art program for K-4 through 6th grade.
As a self-taught artist, this was quite an undertaking. How could I break down the steps of drawing? I was determined to find steps that all ages could understand. After searching through many books, I finally found my own technique.
Three lines were all I needed. Every picture, letter, or number could be drawn or written with these three lines. It was important to me that the lines could be described to and understood by a 3-4 year old. That in its self was a challenge. So that is how I came up with frog hops. All children like little frogs and know that a frog hops.
The other two lines were a smile (upward curve) and a straight line. Add dots in the right place and any one can make a picture.
In 2006 I was added to a team at Special Kids to work with children with special needs. This was a new art therapy program. The children at Special Kids responded well to the frog hops; therefore, I continue to build on the frog hop foundation.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to a loving organization called Special Kids. Special Kids represents a community’s response to a need. Everyday, children at Special Kids are learning to walk taller, speak clearer, and have confidence because of the grace of God and the investments made by people who want to make a difference. You can become a part of this joy by contacting: Special Kids at www.specialkidstn.com.
