Meet Pauline Sauer Groman

We had the good fortune of connecting with Pauline Sauer Groman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Pauline, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I’ve been teaching mixed early childhood ages for almost two decades. What used to be so “intimidating” in those first days—how to keep track of everything and everyone all at once, how to maintain safety and energy and positivity all at once for so many others that are depending on you, all while trying to make a difference in physical, social, and emotional development—and then proving that what you’re doing matters and isn’t just “play”! It all became something I felt I could do blindfolded after a bit, not that there wasn’t any number of challenges every day, but because I started to believe that this was something I was naturally good at. That children gravitated to me, shared with me their thoughts, their fears, their interests, their developing opinions. Somehow they felt safe and heard, and that is a gift I never take for granted. After a couple of years I started adding elements of art in an age-appropriate way to what we were already exploring, and it just clicked and exploded from there. In the classroom, a school wide outdoor studio, partnering with community spaces and studios, events, and even making my own process art kits for different ages. I always joked that if I could have afforded it, I would have gone to art school. But a lot of my memories of the 20-30 min a week allotted for “art class” in school was looking at an overhead projection (yes, I’m old) of a famous painting and being told to recreate it. I would get absolutely nothing out of that process other than self-criticism. No exploration, no independent thought, no discovery about the self and what moves the soul, no matter the age. I think this really laid the roots for what I tell every parent, every child when they come to me: there is no right or wrong way to create. If you’re making something, anything, that’s something that didn’t exist before, and that’s pretty amazing.

Before I go down an introspective rabbit hole, maybe giving the hundreds and hundreds of children I’ve taught an environment of “yes” when it comes to trying new things, thinking outside the box, and creating in their own way, only for themselves, gave me the things I was missing in my own childhood experience.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As far back as I can remember, I’ve always been the person overwhelmed by emotions, not only my own, but I can immediately sense the moods of others when I enter any room. It’s a lot. I’m sensitive, I’m hypervigilant, self-aware to a fault, and a Libra through and through. When feelings are simply too much, I struggle to put them into words. But suppression only backfires. You have to allow and help it to move through. Art can be the most beautiful vessel for this process. Now you don’t need an easel, the finest oils, and a meticulous plan of exactly where to place each color or brushstroke. I approach art much more organically, with emotion and intuition rather than instruction. And I approach art with the kids I teach the exact same way. I may have a plan, but the children will completely transform it. And that alone is a therapeutic process! It’s building confidence, expression, problem solving, teamwork! You act on a feeling and by the time you’re done, the feeling has changed. And then you want to do it again.

While I do love to paint on canvas from time to time, most of the projects I come up with are found/recycled materials. It adds another element that my brain really likes to figure out: how can we make this work, and how can we make it inspiring enough for the kids to be excited about? Larger installations (I’m a big fan of hanging things and allowing the children to paint vertically or with movement) that make you wonder what they’re made of are what brings me the greatest joy. It’s in making the messes that the memories are made.

In terms of my own path, I guess I’m still figuring it out it (aren’t we all). Sometimes I feel very stuck, or that no one sees the value and wonder that I do in bringing art to young children that isn’t in a textbook sort of way, but I have to trust that it’ll get there. That the feeling I get seeing a child have such an “aha” moment of pure joy through discovery, that moment is worth everything, every hardship and moment(s) of doubt.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Having lived away from the area for a couple years, there are always a few non-negotiables that I would need the second I stepped foot off the plane: to drive by the beach, if not walk pier to pier (Manhattan to Hermosa!) and touch the water, and ACTUAL Mexican food. I grew up in Westchester but spent so much of my time around the South Bay, where I love the more relaxed vibe and mostly, just get me out of the car and off the freeway! And yes, most great visits revolve around great meals.

-breakfasts/brunch: Cafe Milan in Playa del Rey, Bacari in Playa del Rey
-casual Mexican that soothes the soul: El Tarasco (several locations)
-Mexican happy hour : Sausal El Segundo, my favorite margarita
-for an outdoor beer in the sunshine, my local brewery Three Weavers
-sushi with ambience and environment: Irori, Marina del Rey

You truly can’t beat a walk in downtown Manhattan Beach with the pier and lots of cute shops or places to grab a bite or drink in one concentrated stretch.

To venture into actual “town”, I take everybody to The Broad. You could walk for hours and be inspired by so many different styles of art that are sure to spark conversations and imaginations. If you have more time, a beautiful day strolling the Getty is like therapy for me.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve been lucky enough to have so many years of incredible experiences alongside talented and innovative educators at preschools from South Bay to Santa Monica to Culver City. Each person I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with has shaped my approach to what I do and each child and family that I interact with. My time at Treehouse Tots helped me to grow confident in my abilities and talents, maybe feeling like an actual grown- up for the first time. Having to move across the country for a couple years, reinventing myself and taking an even more focused scope on teaching process art but broadening it to include parents and toddlers through teenagers made me feel truly seen. I am beyond grateful to the entire Southern Pines community and the incredible Connection Corner for taking a chance on a complete outsider, allowing me to flourish within a small town and beautiful studio. Returning back to Los Angeles, I’m trying to expand to recreate that magic feeling and special moments in a place that’s always been home, but feels different now because I’m different. And those changes are in large part due to the incredible people that have helped shape my path.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/artforthelittlemind

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@processartwmisspauline-n2g?si=1N0LhjyrEY9LMhyo

Other: I read stories for kiddos I’ve taught in the past on YouTube just to stay connected miles apart.. Instagram will showcase projects, ideas, kit sales and popups but never kids’ faces. The best way to get in touch to collaborate is to email me at artforthelittlemind@gmail.com!

Image Credits
all images I’ve taken from my own classes!
(Would not let me upload beyond the initial personal one so I need to send supplementary ones separately or try to log out and back in, thanks!)