兒童繪畫中的生命力與想像力：從一幅以馬為主題的作品談起 The Vitality and Imagination in Children’s Drawings: Reflections on a Horse-Themed Artwork

兒童繪畫經常展現出驚人的生命力與豐富的想像力。在本次表達藝術課程中，我們以「馬」作為創作主題，其中一幅由Abby創作的作品，引發我特別深刻的觀察與感動。

這幅作品由ABBY 四年級同學創作! 她描繪了一匹馬與一位女孩之間的互動情景。畫面中的馬體型壯碩、動作活潑，似乎正從畫面的右後方朝女孩靠近，與她建立起一種親密的連結。女孩的裝扮充滿個性：穿著牛仔褲與印有牛圖案的上衣，頭戴牛仔帽，呈現出鮮明的「牛仔風格」。她的臉頰紅潤，微笑甜美，透露出明顯的愉悅與安心情緒。

馬與女孩之間的互動不僅流露出熟悉與信任，也可能象徵著兒童對動物、寵物，或人際關係中「陪伴」與「友情」的重視。在畫面中，女孩與強壯的馬比肩而立，神情自然、自信，沒有任何畏懼，這可能反映出孩子內在的勇氣，或是她對自我力量的渴望與肯定。馬作為自由與力量的象徵，與女孩的形象並置，形成了一種強烈而和諧的心理意象，具有情感與象徵的雙重層次。

儘管作品中的身體比例並不追求寫實，但這正是兒童繪畫的重要特徵之一：他們往往更著重於情感的表達與角色特徵的凸顯，而非視覺上的準確性。這種創作風格呈現出兒童真誠且自由的內在世界，也提醒我們珍惜與保護這份原生的創造力。

The Vitality and Imagination in Children’s Drawings: Reflections on a Horse-Themed Artwork

Children’s drawings often exhibit a remarkable sense of vitality and rich imagination. In a recent expressive arts session with the theme of horses, a piece created by Abby stood out and evoked deep reflection and appreciation.

This drawing was created by Abby, Grade. 4. She depicts an interaction between a horse and a girl. The horse is portrayed with a strong, dynamic body, seemingly leaping in from the rear right side of the picture, engaging in a close and intimate connection with the girl. The girl’s outfit is full of character—jeans, a top with a cow print, and a cowboy hat—suggesting a distinct “cowgirl” style. Her rosy cheeks and sweet smile convey a clear sense of joy and emotional safety.

The interaction between the horse and the girl suggests a sense of familiarity and trust, possibly reflecting the child’s emotional attachment to animals, pets, or the value placed on companionship and friendship. The girl stands confidently beside the powerful horse without showing fear—this could symbolize her inner courage or a yearning to feel empowered. The juxtaposition of the strong, free-spirited horse with the small, self-assured girl creates a powerful and emotionally resonant image, combining both symbolic and emotional layers.

Although the proportions in the drawing are not realistic, this is characteristic of children’s art. Young artists often focus more on emotional expression and the emphasis of important character traits rather than on visual accuracy. This creative style reveals the genuine and unfiltered inner world of the child, reminding us of the importance of preserving and nurturing this innate creativity.

By Abby