After teaching art in Ukraine, China, and Canada, I discovered that each education system offers something valuable—from technical discipline and concentration to creativity and freedom of expression. This article explores what each approach taught me and why a happy, curious child may be the most important sign of success in art education.

“Why does he draw so poorly? You’re an artist, after all!” That’s a question I heard more than once when my son was little. People were surprised — other children were already drawing so well, and he seemed to be falling behind. The real question was always: why, as an artist, am I not teaching him better? My answer was simple: I give him time. Patience instead of control Honestly, it wasn’t easy to hold back. I wanted to show, explain, and correct every stroke. But I knew that doing things...