Eye Can Art takes the lid off children’s creativity

If you're looking for the perfect gift this holiday season for the budding van Goghs and Kahlos in your life, pick up a selection of Eye Can Art's projects-in-a-can. The Seattle company's crafty new diversions teach kids ages 3 to 8 about traditional art forms.

There's a printmaking kit, which teaches kids to make their own prints using a cut-paper collage, ink and a roller. A wax drawing set lets them create encaustics using beeswax and oil pastels. Japanese brush painting, complete with a foam chop and a bamboo brush, makes up the Sumi-e painting kit.

Eye Can Art kits, the brainchild of three Seattle-area moms -- including two with experience as artists and art educators -- come packaged in containers that resemble paint cans, neatly packed with straightforward instructions (including some technique tips and a time estimate for project completion) and all the materials and accessories needed to see the work through to the end.

Available at Bootyland, Urban Kids Play, University Bookstore, Izilla Toys, Clover and other local stores, the kits cost $23.99. Eye Can Art plans to add collage, bookmaking, charcoal drawing and more to its lineup in the near future.

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