Creating art with children isn’t just about the final product. It’s about slowing down, sharing conversation, and letting kids express feelings that can be hard to put into words. One of my favorite Valentine’s inspirations comes from American artist Jim Dine, who is famous for his bold, expressive heart paintings.

Jim Dine began painting hearts in the 1960s, not as simple symbols of romance, but as containers for emotion. His hearts are layered, messy, colorful, scratched into, painted over, and full of energy—much like real love and real family life. They remind us that hearts don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful.

You don’t need fancy supplies or art experience to try this at home—just curiosity and a willingness to get a little messy.

Step 1: Draw the Heart: Have a parent lightly draw a large heart shape on the paper—or let your child draw their own. Encourage imperfections. Jim Dine’s hearts are strong because they’re imperfect.

Step 2: Paint in Layers: Paint the heart using bold colors. Let kids mix colors freely and paint over areas more than

once. Talk about how layering colors can show feelings—bright, calm, loud, or quiet.

Step 3: Add Texture and Marks: Once the paint is mostly dry, use oil pastels or crayons to draw lines, patterns, scribbles, or words on top of the paint. Jim Dine often scratched into his work, so kids can use the back of a

brush or a card to scrape designs into wet paint. 

Step 4: Share the Story: Ask your child what their heart means. Who is it for? How does it feel? Writing their words on

the back turns the artwork into a keepsake.

When you hang that heart on the wall, it becomes more than Valentine’s décor—it’s a memory of time spent together, creativity shared, and love made visible. Long after the candy is gone, the art remains. At Imaginarium, we believe art is one of the most powerful ways kids learn, connect, and grow. This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of making something together—because that kind of love truly lasts.