Learn to Teach.Teach to Learn.

Felt Heart Sachets -- Teens & Adults

2012-02-08T15:01:00.004-05:00

This is a nice little sewing project for teens or adults. The sewing part makes it too complicated for younger students unless done in small groups like an after school art club where you can focus on teaching the stitches.

The materials are felt, ribbon, embroidery floss (and stitching needle), scissors, any heart shaped objects or tracers, felt scrap or fiber fill stuffing, and this one has dried lavender for scent.

Step 1: Trace 2 larger hearts onto felt and cut them out. Trace one smaller heart and add a scalloped edge if desired; cut that out too. Cut a few short lengths of ribbon (about 8 inches each).

Step 2: Use a running stitch and embroidery floss or thick thread to attach the smaller heart to one of the larger ones.

Step 3: Make a bow with one of the ribbons and use a few stitches to attach it to the front of the smaller heart.

Step 4: Place the second large heart under the one you've been working on, make sure the small heart and ribbon are now on the outside (not the inside) because you don't turn this project.

Step 5: Use a blanket stitch to attach the two large hearts together; start at the point on the bottom and work around. Make sure the hanging ribbon is inserted at the top and sewn into place at this stage. Leave about an inch to an inch and a half open with the thread still hanging.

Step 6: Put some dried lavender into the opening and finish stuffing with scraps or fiber fill. Complete stitching the opening closed. Tie off with a knot and back stitch through the other stitches before cutting the thread.

Project completed!

Romero Britto Inspired Pattern Hearts - Gr 5

2012-02-07T19:19:00.003-05:00

Kids Heart by Romero Britto.

I was looking for an interesting new artist to introduce students to instead of always turning to Jim Dine who is so well known for his heart paintings. What I found was the artist Romero Britto and the artwork above.

Britto uses a variety of patterns in the background of this piece and some of the designs use different shades of the same color. I thought this was an important aspect to touch on in the students' work. So using different shades of the same color in at least one of the patterns of each heart became part of the lesson criteria. In addition students had to use completely different patterns in each of their three hearts (no repeats at all). The individual hearts had to contain six patterns each for a total of 18 patterns (6 x 3 = 18 if you want throw a little math quiz in there).

Materials are simple enough: White paper, pencils, heart tracers, and markers. And you will need construction paper to mount the hearts onto.

My example.

It is best to break the hearts into segments with pencil, but then to do all the pattern making directly with black Sharpie markers before coloring in with water-based markers.

A student example.

Paper Quilled Valentine Hearts - Gr. 5

2012-02-07T18:47:00.009-05:00

If you follow my posts you know that I've been doing my own paper quilling, but I wanted to try some Valentine's Day quilling with a fifth grade class. As luck would have it I was subbing for an art teacher who lets me try out lessons on his students and he liked this idea.

Now the only change that should be made to this project is that it would work much better with actual quilling papers that are cut 1/4" in size instead of the 1/2" copier paper strips that I used. But with most things in the art room, you work with what you've got. And I had copier paper and a paper cutter that had a 1/2" increment grid for measuring the cuts.

Other necessary materials: Quilling tools or toothpicks if that is what you've got (and what I had), Elmer's glue (and toothpicks to apply it), heart tracers, 3 x 4" heavy weight white paper, scissors and pencils (for tracing and cutting the hearts).

This is what a slotted quilling tool looks like:
This is the website that I prefer to use for buying quilling papers and related materials:
Quilling Superstore

Since quilling can take some time to master -- those rolls of paper can get slippery between beginner fingers -- it is best to work smaller so that students can have some sense accomplishment by creating a finished project in one or two classes. Only one student in the class actually finished a heart in one class session.

Finished student heart using the simple coil and the marquis coil.

Discuss the types of coils you want students to learn to make, such as the simple coil, the teardrop and the marquis (which the students thought as an "eye"). You will have to demonstrate how to make any type of coils you'd like them to use and it helps if they can pass the sample coils around for closer inspection. For this lesson, students had to use at least two different types of coils and at least two colors of paper.

Some students, boys in particular, may not be too excited about paper quilling or hearts, but I brought in a sample of my own quilling and allowed them to pass it around to see the details of it and feel the heft of it. Knowing it was "only paper" that created the design got even the more reluctant students intrigued enough to give this project a try.

Here are several student examples that have the potential to become beautiful quilled designs once they are completed:
Students were encouraged to work from the "outside" of the hearts before tackling the "inside".

Some students opted to use the simple coil on its side. However, they were cautioned that this would work best only on the "outside" and that it would still count as only one type of coil if they used the simple coil again but with the coiling upright and visible.

One student (the one who completed her heart) thought it would be nice to make a second quilled heart and glue the two back to back with a ribbon in the middle to make a hanging quilled heart ornament of sorts. This would be a lovely idea if there is enough time or if students work quickly!

Metallic Hearts: Two Variations, Same Materials - Gr. 4

2012-02-07T18:19:00.006-05:00

This particular lesson could easily be done with a younger (third grade) or older (fifth grade) group of students. It uses materials typically available in most art rooms: White model magic (1 oz. per student), cardboard cut to size (3 x 4"), metallic acrylic paint (I used a copper color), sponges, construction paper, and brushes (to apply paint).

Initially my idea was to use the model magic to create unique heart stamps. The stamps will need to dry completely for at least a day.

Use simple items like old automatic pencils that are out of led to shape the designs.

Close up of one of the model magic hearts.

These would then be used with the metallic paint (although you could probably use printing ink, too) to stamp the hearts onto the construction papers (4" square). Additional pieces of construction paper (5 1/2" square) would be sponge painted with the same metallic paint to create a border for the stamped designs. Alternate the stamped paper color and the sponged paper color. Then arrange the three images on a third piece of construction paper (8 x 18").

But then I was left with these paint covered stampers that were beautiful on their own. So the variation is to paint the stampers and the cardboard they are on with the metallic color to create a sort of sculptural relief image. Mount these onto two pieces of off-set construction paper for a nice display.
And that is how I inadvertently developed two projects in one two-day lesson.

Value Hearts - Grade 3

2012-02-05T23:57:00.005-05:00

The Valentine heart-themed lesson I developed for third grade came about while substitute teaching. I filled in for an art teacher who had called out sick and who does not mind when I try out my own lesson ideas.

I had about fifteen minutes before the students would be coming into the classroom and I thought up this idea. There were heart tracers available in the room as well as white paper and black thin and extra-thin tipped Sharpies. I decided to give a lesson in composition and value.

The criteria of this lesson were fairly straight forward:
1. The traced (in pencil) hearts had to show overlapping and cropping in their composition. And there could be 6, 7, or 8 hearts - no more (too crowded) and no less (too sparse).
2. The hearts had to be gone over with the thicker Sharpie.
3. To demonstrate all three values (light, medium, and dark), students had to use hatching, cross-hatching, and stippling (at least one of each). No hearts could be left white and no hearts could be colored in solid black.

Students quickly learned that spacing between marks was the key to changing the perceived value of their hearts. The learned several new key art-terms: value, hatching, cross-hatching and stippling. And they reviewed a few terms they already knew: overlapping and cropping.

Here are some examples from the class I taught:

Huichol Mexican Folk Art Inspired Hearts - Grade 2

2012-02-05T23:46:00.005-05:00

The second grade lesson that I designed this year for Valentine's Day takes its inspiration from the Mexican folk art Huichol -- or yarn painting. Students use heart tracers to obtain a basic shape, then work from the outside in using glue to attach the yarn to the cut-out heart shape. The hearts are then mounted to square papers. Keeping with the three-heart theme as the younger grades, the students make three yarn-painting hearts which are mounted together on a larger paper.

Here is a student example:

Valentine Hearts Inspired By Stained Glass - Grade 1

2012-02-05T23:33:00.004-05:00

The second heart-themed lesson I designed using the simple technique of tissue paper squares applied to white paper to resemble stained glass. I did not try this particular lesson with students yet, however similar lessons (see Flames of the Holy Spirit) have worked well with this age group. The lesson could also be done with kindergarten with no changes made to it.

This lesson uses the same size paper as the Pollock-inspired hearts lesson, which makes it easy to prep for and display if done together. In addition to white paper (3 x 5"), it calls for construction paper (3 x 5"), cut tissue paper, mod podge or elmer's glue, heart tracers, scissors, pencils, and glue to mount the heart frames. Unlike the painting lesson, this one will need more time to dry, especially if using mod podge.

Step 1: Cut out the three frames in the same way as the Pollock-inspired lesson. Set them aside.

Step 2: Collage the tissue paper over the entire surface of the white paper, overlapping colors and allowing no white gaps. Make three papers this way.

Step 3: When the collaged white papers are totally dry, mount the heart frames on top. Then mount these on larger paper.

The final result should look something like this:

Valentine Hearts Inspired By Pollock - Kindergarten

2012-02-05T23:11:00.006-05:00

So in honor of Valentine's Day I wanted to come up with some new art lessons that used hearts (especially in groups of three), but in a less traditional sense. Typically when I see Valentine's themed art lessons the hearts are used to create shapes in animals, so I wanted to do hearts, but also incorporate artists or skills, techniques, etc. I also wanted to try out these lessons on actual students and had some volunteers both in private lessons and in classrooms.

The first lesson I will share is this one designed for kindergarten, but suitable for pre-school or first grade with some accommodations for younger learners who may not have developed sufficient skill with scissors yet.
In this lesson the materials used were: construction paper, marbles, tempera paints in primary colors, hear tracers, pencils, scissors and glue.

Step 1: In separate trays (I used the trays from microwave entrees) place the different paint colors and several marbles. Give each student a similar tray with a piece of paper that fits snugly in it (about 3 x 5"). Have students rotate between the three colors. They select one paint covered marble each. drop it on their papers in their trays and roll the marble around. Repeat with each paint color. Then repeat the process again on two more pieces of paper in different colors than the first.

Step 2: While the paint dries read a color-related story or a story about Jackson Pollock (the artist of inspiration). The color-related story I read was White Rabbit's Color Book by Alan Baker. It is a cute story about how the primary colors mix to form secondary colors and how all three combined make the color brown.

Step 3: By the time all students have washed the paint from their hands and listened to the story the painted papers should hopefully be well on their way to being dry. As they continue to dry distribute three more (3 x 5") papers, heart tracers, pencils and scissors. Demonstrate how to fold the paper down the middle, trace half a heart on the fold, cut while folded, and open up to reveal an open heart frame. Provide extra help with proper cutting, especially for younger learners.

Step 4: With the painted papers fully dry, have students glue their three cut-out frames over their three marble paintings. This will hide some of the paintings, but explain that this is okay and what is to be expected. Then mount the three finished framed heart painting on a larger sheet of paper either vertically or horizontally, whichever you prefer.

Here are some samples made by three and four year-old students:

Rotational Motif # 6

2012-02-05T22:58:00.004-05:00

Rotational Motif # 6, Copyright Margaurita Spear, January 2012.

This is the sixth piece in the quilled paper series that I am currently working on. It is the first one completed in 2012. As one my goals for this year I have decided to complete at least one larger-sized quilled design each month with a long-term goal of putting them together in a small show or creating something with the designs.

As with the previous pieces in the series this one focuses on symmetry, rotational design, repetition of shapes, floral inspirations and the basic geometric element of a circle within a square. This particular piece takes additional inspiration from what I considered a winter color palette of cool blues and greys.

Unlike my previous designs that were worked more from the center out, this piece switched from the central petal design to the outer circle perimeter then back to filling in those shapes.

This particular quilled design is 8 1/2 inches squared prior to mounting.

Each quilled design takes hours and hours of careful intricate work, often employing tweezers to place the individual elements. This piece probably took over 60 hours to complete. Although I do not actually track the time, I do work on the pieces for two to three hours a day and this one took the entire month of January with many three hour days.

New Workshops Coming Soon!

2012-01-14T00:17:00.003-05:00

It's a new year and I am happy to announce that there will me some new workshops available in the coming months. Currently, I am discussing a few school vacation week workshops with the good people over at the Wenham Museum. These two possible workshops will be brand-new, never before offered projects. One is a book-making project and the other is similar to the miniature room workshop, but is geared more towards dollhouse furniture (hint: four-poster canopy bed from re-purposed materials).

I am also considering offering some workshops on my own through a rented space. That is very up in the air at the moment because I want to see the space first so I know what would work best there. Ideally, I am hoping to offer some mosaics classes at first and see how that goes.

In the meantime, I've been busy continuing my paper quilling series, seeking out new opportunities for teaching art to the masses, and embracing the idea of a fresh start in the new year!

Personalized Mosaic Christmas Gift!

2011-12-27T13:41:00.005-05:00

This is a custom mosaic that I made several months back as a gift for my cousin's family. I could not post it until after Christmas or it would have spoiled the surprise. This mosaic uses a large (about 16") square floor tile for it base. The name and design are sketched out on the surface and filled in with carefully nipped ceramic tile shards. The finished product can be used as a table top, in-ground stepping stone (since it is fully weatherproof) or as a decorative piece on its own.

Estimated time for completion: About 10 hours.

Selling price for anyone interested in ordering one of their own: $150.00.

Rotational Motif #5

2011-12-21T23:59:00.005-05:00

Rotational Motif #5, copyright Margaurita Spear 2011

This is the fifth piece in the quilled paper series that I am currently working on. This piece continues with the symmetrical elements found in it predecessors, however the color palette was chosen because purple is a favorite color of a friend of mine for whom I made this particular design as a Christmas gift. Quilled paper designs are very significant for her and I wanted to give her something as special and thoughtful as she is.

This design is on the smaller side, measuring about 4.5 inches squared. It is mounted to ivory embossed paper bringing its final dimension to 7 inches squared. Since the piece was a gift it was also matted. The mat (not shown) adds about another 2 inches.

Each quilled design takes hours and hours of careful intricate work, often employing tweezers to place the individual elements. This piece took well over twenty hours to complete because I used very small elements and very tight rolls of paper.

Rotational Motif #4

2011-12-13T17:02:00.004-05:00

Rotational Motif #4, copyright Margaurita Spear 2011

This is the fourth piece in the quilled paper series that I am currently working on. The series focuses on symmetry, rotational design, repetition of shapes, floral inspirations and the basic geometric element of a circle within a square. This particular piece takes additional inspiration from a more organic color palette and hints at the possibility of a butterfly, which became evident in its initial stages.

With my quilled designs I do not start out with a well-developed step-by-step plan. Rather I allow the work to influence me as it progresses. I do typically visualize the color palette and maybe the central starting point, but I leave the rest to present itself to me as I work.

This particular example is the largest and most involved design I have done. It is 8 1/2 inches squared prior to mounting onto the textured background paper which adds about another 2 inches to each side.

Each quilled design takes hours and hours of careful intricate work, often employing tweezers to place the individual elements. This piece took well over fifty hours to complete.

Sometimes While Subbing...

2011-12-11T18:59:00.004-05:00

Although I am an art teacher, as a substitute I am more frequently called upon to cover for other subject areas, otherwise I would hardly work at all. When I substitute at middle and high school levels there are usually large blocks (about an hour or so) of time where the regular teacher would have had a prep period for grading or planning. Since these tasks don't apply to me, I usually find something else to do during these down times when I have no students in the room. Usually I will bring a magazine or book to read, but sometimes I forget to do that and I must get creative.

I was going through a stack of papers the other day and came across a few things that were a result of this down-time creativity.

Typically I will use whatever material is at hand, such as:

An abstract design made from tracing a found washer and using any color pen or highlighter I could find in the room I was working in.

A rodent copied onto line paper using ball-point ink. If I recall, I think I was filling in for a science teacher and there was a photograph of a rat in the textbook.

A psychedelic 60s inspired mushroom from a stray piece of model magic left over in the art room, then colored with markers and ball-point ink from another classroom where I was covering a silent reading block.

And a ball-point ink robot while subbing for a middle school robotics class where each class watched the exact same "Robots of the Future" DVD.

Grade 3 - Tinted Snowmen Paintings

2011-12-11T18:32:00.005-05:00

Also while substituting in an art room I had the opportunity to re-introduce a painting lesson that the regular art teacher felt wasn't quite working. He asked me to "see what I could do with it." He didn't need to ask me twice because I love when this happens and I can try my hand at teaching the same project with my own twist to it. I looked at the students work in progress and saw that many of them were having trouble developing the form (roundness) of their snowmen paintings while also dealing with the new concept of painting with tints (white with a little color added). The snowmen were coming out flat looking and either really orange or really blue -- the tinting wasn't the least bit subtle.
As an inspiration point the students had already listened to the book "Snowmen at Night" by Caralyn Buehner. In this book the snowmen are illustrated with beautifully rendered orange and blue tints to give them a round appearance. This was the look we were going for and what I needed to help the students achieve to an extent.

So, rather than just keep going with the snowmen paintings as they were, I reminded the students that the great thing about paint (tempera in this case) was that once it was dry you could always paint over it to rework something that wasn't quite where you wanted it to be -- such as their snowmen. They all agreed that they needed some more help with the concept of tinting and were happy to paint back over their existing work.

My demonstration snowman

The demonstration I gave focused on the use of wet-in-wet painting techniques, which was the opposite of what they had been using. They had been mixing their tints separately and then applying the paint. I showed them how to start with an all white snowman shape and add just little bits of color at a time using the direction of the brush stroke while blending the tint to create the roundness of the form. They were impressed enough at the result to give their own paintings another try. While there is still room for improvement the comparative results from how they first looked are astounding. Several students were able to get their tints to seem less stark and even to achieve some roundness to the form. Below are a few examples:

Now, since the students reworked their previous attempts, for the most part they did not get beyond making just the snowmen. But I thought it would be nice to leave a completed example for the regular art teacher along with some notes on my ideas for the assignment. I envisioned the snowmen interacting in some way with details added with colored pencil. And the ground would be painted white. While the paint was still wet, I sprinkled iridescent glitter onto it to give it a little sparkle like new fallen snow. I also included in the note that if he tried this assignment with another class, I would do several practice sphere paintings using white and the tinting colors before attempting the snowmen. The students would benefit from the practice and feel a greater sense of accomplishment with the final project if they could "play" with the idea first.

This is the sample I left for the regular art teacher.

Grade 1 - Kandinsky Circles

2011-12-11T18:26:00.004-05:00

While subbing in an art room I had the chance to work with a first grade class that was finishing up a lesson on Kandinsky. They had already completed the painted circles (kind of like bull's eye targets at this stage) and were moving on to the addition of oil pastel between the painted circles and filling the squares. Since I encouraged them to take their time using the oil pastel, several did not finish this step. Below is one that did:

Oaxacan Animal Drawings - Kindergarten & Grade 1

2011-12-07T16:22:00.007-05:00

I filled in as an art sub for a day at a school that only has kindergarten and first grade students. The art room is located in the basement, so the space and the age of the students does put a few limitations on what can be done. However, despite these things the assignment left was one that introduced the students to Oaxacan animal carvings. This Mexican art is really great for younger students because it focuses on two things that are so fun to teach to this age level -- animals and colorful patterns. First the students got to practice saying Oaxacan (wa-ha-can). Then they viewed images of the carvings, named off tons of unusual animals (this part could have gone on all day), and finally brainstormed types of patterns. The patterns were toughest because while the students understand color patterns (red/blue/red/blue), they had a difficult time embracing shape and design patterns.

With all the preliminary lesson discussion done, the fun could begin. The students began their animal drawings with the prompt to make the animal huge to fill the page before adding a baby animal or background. The drawings are absolutely adorable and very colorful. The students drew their animals themselves using basic shapes as starters, so sometimes it is hard to figure out what animal they were making, but that is part of the charm.

Here are a few results...

First, a few turtles -- which were a popular animal choice:

Next, a unicorn and a baby lion -- there were a few unicorns and even a Pegasus:

Truly, I am not sure what this one is:

And this is an iguana/lizard -- my sample that I did was an iguana, so this inspired a handful of iguana drawings throughout the classes:

Lions made the list of "unusual animals" and were a good trade-off for those students who would have preferred to draw a pet cat -- these two are ferocious:

These bulls were made by two students in different classes and grade levels -- I love how intimidating the top one looks compared to how docile the bottom one appears to be:

And finally, these two birds really take flight with their bright stripes -- other popular bird choices were parrots, penguins, and even Angry Birds:

Grade 2 - Step-by-step Turkey Drawings

2011-11-30T20:18:00.004-05:00

With the success I had experienced with teaching the first graders how to draw turkeys, I felt the second graders could also have fun with a similar drawing lesson. So, I decided to show them how to draw a slightly different turkey. This time I encouraged the students to layer their crayon colors to give them a more realistic and more textured appearance. The students had a lot of fun and were excited to learn how to draw the turkeys. Unlike the younger students, the second graders took a lot longer with the drawings and many did not get to finish the coloring in of their images. Here are some of the fantastic results:

Grade 1 - Step-by-Step Turkey Drawings

2011-11-30T20:06:00.005-05:00

Now, I know that it is a little late for Turkey Day, but I just have to share these super cute turkey drawings that were made by first graders when I was subbing for an art teacher before Thanksgiving. There was no lesson plan left, so I decided to teach the students to draw turkeys and added the possibilities of using patterns on the feathers and using non-traditional turkey colors. This was an impromptu lesson that I had never tried before, but the students really had fun with it and were excited to learn that they could draw turkeys themselves. The results were too cure to not share.

Second Grade Drawings -- Pure and Uninhibited!

2011-11-08T12:00:00.005-05:00

This year I have been substitute teaching mostly in non-art rooms so far, but some of those teachers like to leave sub lessons that involve drawing. Such was the case this week when I was filling in for a music teacher. She left a book for me to read along with an illustration assignment for the second graders to complete. The assignment was simple enough. After talking about things that they have improved on with practice (tied into the theme of the book), the students were asked to draw themselves doing that activity. Since it was not an art room or an art lesson, I did not demonstrate how this should look or how to properly draw a figure or color in a background. The results were some pretty awesome and unique images, which I felt compelled to share.

Riding a bicycle was a popular choice and resulted in many images of bicycles, all completely unique:

One student was a fan of bike tricks, so in his bicycle riding drawing he is doing a trick on a steep hill and crashing into a tree:

Other images appeared as well -- such as jumping rope, swimming and playing soccer:

And then there was the student who was so happy that I said his drawing was really great that in the last few minutes of class he quickly grabbed a second piece of white paper and re-created an almost exact copy for me to keep and take home. In his drawing he is depicted successfully riding his scooter with only one hand:

Now, although I am an art teacher and although I do feel the need to instruct in drawing skill, sometimes I enjoy seeing what the students come up with without any intervention on my part. These drawings always feel the most pure and true to the students' ideas.

Attention Home Schoolers! Custom Art Lessons In Your Home!

2011-09-06T21:25:00.006-04:00

With the start of the new school year, I would like to take a moment to remind the world that I do offer custom art lessons in your home. These lessons are perfect for home schooled students because with my training as an art educator I can promise that you will be receiving a curriculum that not only meets state standards, but due to the customized nature, probably exceeds the art education you would receive in many public schools. With no budget limits on materials (other than your own, of course) you child can benefit from the opportunity to experiment with just about any art medium.

If you are a member of a home school community, I can even offer a group rate if you want to get some kids together in your home. I also hold a minor in art history, so I would be happy to facilitate in organizing visits to museums or galleries and linking that visit to your customized art lesson.

Rates are reasonable. Please call if interested: 617-922-2246.

My Mosaics Creations!

2011-08-02T21:48:00.006-04:00

Every year I make samples of mosaics while my students are working on their own projects. I find that if they see me making something they are more excited about their own work and they try harder to put thought in the decisions they make in terms of workmanship and technique.

For the basic mosaics course I made two designs. The one below used lots of nipped tiles, rather than smashed. It will become the display piece for future lessons. The second design I made will not be posted because it is SURPRISE gift for someone:

For the unleashed course (3D!) I made several examples. First was the set of three stacking boxes. I have yet to finish the edges and interior, which I intend to paint. The mosaic on these was done with glass tiles and gems, rather than ceramic shards. Second was a set of three small pots in my favorite color scheme -- red, white, and black! These combined carefully nipped square tiles and red gems.

For the mini, I made a simple central design with a border. Again I used lots of nipping to get tiny tile pieces and regulated sizes.

My mosaics, or others custom made in a similar manner, can be purchased if anyone is interested in having one. The larger designs make good table tops or inlaid patio pieces. The smaller designs are great as trivets. And the pots are fully functional and waterproof as well as decorative. Prices start at $30 and go up to $100.

Mosaics Mini-Course

2011-08-02T21:41:00.002-04:00

For my final mini-course of the summer I like to run a mosaics class on a smaller scale. The students work with an 8" square of MDF instead of a 16" square of ceramic floor tile as the base for their designs. This helps them work in the shorter one-week time frame. It also helps use up some of the left-over shards that have accumulated over the three weeks leading up to the course.

Here are some minis from this year:

Mosaics Unleashed -- Upper Elementary & Older

2011-08-02T21:34:00.003-04:00

This is a more advanced mosaics class, meant for students with some experience. Despite this I ended up with many first-timers, a few as young as eight-years-old! There were some challenging projects, like a HUGE mirror and a teensy Eiffel Tower.

Here are the amazing results:

Mosaics! Upper Elementary and Older

2011-08-02T21:14:00.003-04:00

This summer at camp, I actually had mosaic students as young as eight-years-old! That is the youngest mosaic student I have taught to date. I was pleasantly surprised by these students when they proved to be very adept at handling the tools and materials, as well as staying focused and creating some of the most accomplished mosaic designs.

Here are some samples from the standard mosaics classes:

Masterpiece Paintings!

2011-08-02T21:07:00.004-04:00

These two paintings were made by ten-year old students in my very small Masterpiece Painting class. Since the first session canceled with only one student enrolled, I was thrilled that it ran when that same student and two others signed up for the second round. I only have photos of two of the paintings though, since the third student left camp early before she finished hers.

Not Quite a Lesson -- Surrealist Art Game!

2011-08-02T20:52:00.003-04:00

This is an art game that is lots of fun to play with just about any age students and even just with friends when you want to kill some time...

While Wikipedia is not the best resource, here is a link to the description of the game as they give it.
Wikipedia: Exquisite Corpse

Here are the results from when I played the game with some of my students at camp this year"

Gettin' Sticky! Duct Tape Creations Ages 10 and up

2011-08-02T20:47:00.003-04:00

There are four weeks of art camp, and each week I ran a different mini-course. Week one and week two were soap carving and paper mache. Week three was DUCT TAPE! It was rolls of fun to make wallets, accessories and flowers from color duct tape. The students had fun trying to make their own things beyond the projects I demonstrated.

Here are just a few of the things that I managed to get them to let me hold onto for display; the others got taken home as fast as they were made:

Paper Mache Mini-Course Ages 10 and up

2011-08-02T20:43:00.003-04:00

Another mini-course that I ran this summer at Art at Tower summer camp was a paper mache class where the students could make anything they chose, including bowls and animals, etc. Instead of using paint, however, I had them use torn color tissue paper to finish the pieces. I must say I really love the look of this technique!

Here are a few fabulous results from this summer's mini-course:

Sudsy! Soap Carvings Ages 10 and up

2011-08-02T20:37:00.005-04:00

At Art at Tower I ran a one week mini-course on soap carving. While the first day ended up being more like a course on making piles of soap shavings, by bar number two the kids got the hang of it and crafted some pretty awesome creations. Some made seashells or their initials. Architectural elements were very popular, as were animals.

Here are just a few of the more successful carving attempts:

Exciting Things Are Being Created

2011-07-18T00:02:00.002-04:00

The first session of Art at Tower just wrapped up on Friday with the end-0f-session arts festival. While I am sad to say that the Masterpiece Painting class was dropped due to low enrollment, the mosaics classes were a HUGE success, especially the new Mosaics Unleashed course. In Unleashed the students brought their own 3D items to put mosaic on and one brought in this huge mirror. I can't believe she finished it. The pictures I took of the mirror and the other items will be in a later post when the next session ends.

Also, I really enjoyed teaching paper mache and soap carving in the two mini-courses that I offered. Both were filled to capacity with happy students. This week I am planning the Duct Tape Creations mini-course that I wanted to do. I just finished two duct tape roses and a checker board patterned bi-fold wallet for samples.

And I think the Masterpiece Painting class may actually have enough students to run this time -- here's to hoping!

Art At Tower July 2011

2011-06-24T21:21:00.005-04:00

As previously mentioned I will be returning for my third year as an art teacher at the summer art program at Tower School in Marblehead.

There are two sessions in July and both are still accepting students for enrollment. The camp offers lots of creative classes in a fun atmosphere. Students can express themselves in visual and performing arts, fashion design, computer graphics, photography, and lots of other ways.

The link to the Tower School website: ART AT TOWER/SUMMER AT TOWER

Here are the courses that I will be teaching:

Masterpiece Painting

Students in this course will learn from the masters! A wide range of master paintings will be presented and students will be given the opportunity to create their own large scale masterpieces inspired by the paintings of their choosing. As students create their own works they will learn about the master artists and a variety of art movements and techniques spanning from the Renaissance to Post-Modernism.

Marvelous Mosaics

Using ceramic and glass tiles as well as seashells and found materials students will create mosaic pieces that incorporate selective color palettes, visual rhythms and balanced compositions. Students will leave with a basic understanding of mosaics techniques and materials including the planning and transferring of a design, the laying of tile in a variety of styles, the handling of tools, the applications of grouting and the method of finishing mosaics.

Mosaics Unleashed

In this course for students with some mosaics experience or a desire for a more complex approach to the medium, ceramic shards, found materials and grout will go 3D. Students will develop imaginative designs using such elements as color, pattern, repetition and balance, but on a more challenging surface. Students should come to class with a three-dimensional object of their own choosing. Porous materials work best, such as unfinished wood or clay. Suggested objects: clay pots, medium jewelry boxes, small step stools, folding tables and medium to large bowls. Students may also wish to use mosaic on only a small area of a larger object, like a trunk or chair, etc.

And some mini-courses that I plan to offer:

Mini Mosaics

A great way to get a taste of mosaics without a huge commitment. Work with smaller ceramic tile shards and create a design motif while learning simple mosaics techniques.

Miniature Worlds

A mini-course on miniatures where students make furnished and decorated rooms, foods, accessories, party or beach scenes. Thinking small in a BIG way!

Soap and Plaster Carving

Students learn simple carving techniques beginning with animal “soapstone” carvings and working up to small scale abstract plaster carving.

Wearable Art & Accessories

Using duct tape and other materials students make wallets, purses, bracelets and more!

Christian Logo T-shirt Designs Levels 6 - 9

2011-06-21T17:59:00.006-04:00

Here is the description from the wall label:

Students discussed the way slogans get stuck in your head and how it is important that they be catchy and maybe even a little bit related to contemporary culture. Then, they came up with their own Christian slogans to tell the world how they feel about their faith or to tell what their faith is about. Once the slogans were refined students needed to design a visual symbol that communicated or related to their slogan as clearly as possible. Designs were kept simple to have bigger impact and to allow for less complex collograph printing onto t-shirts, which the students could wear once completed.

Materials used:

Cardboard
Old shoe boxes
Acrylic gesso
Black printing ink
Brayers
Plexi-glass plates
Elmer's glue
Scissors
X-acto blades
T-shirts
Fabric paints
Letter stencils
Brushes
Sponges

Saints Self-Portraits Levels 6 - 9

2011-06-21T17:52:00.005-04:00

This is the description from the wall label:

Our oldest students took the idea of saints’ portraits to an entirely personal level by recreating their own photographs into portraits of the saints they were representing. They did this by using a variety of materials beginning with collage for their images and adding details with paints, oil pastels, and other materials. Their portraits also included symbolic imagery related to their chosen saints. The frames were constructed from recycled paper towel rolls spray painted gold inspired by the many Byzantine paintings of saints.

Materials used:

Oak tag paper
Acrylic paints
Brushes
Sand
Glue
Glitter
Oil pastels
Pencils
Photographs printed on computer paper
Sharpies
Misc. materials
Gold painted paper towel rolls, cut in pieces

Love Your Neighbor: Although We Are Different We Are the Same Level 2

2011-06-21T17:37:00.007-04:00

Here is the description from the wall label:

The command “Love Your Neighbor” was presented to the students in a take-home art assignment where they were asked to draw a neighborhood with two neighbors joined by a heart between them. On the heart they were asked to write a word that represented a way to be more neighborly to the people around us in our daily lives, even if those people are different from us. This is especially important because we must all understand that although everyone is different, we are all part of one family in the eyes of God.

This was another at-home assignment, where students provided most of their own materials. The provided instructions are linked below.

Although We Are Different We Are the Same

Love Your Neighbor: Community Quilt Levels 3 - 5

2011-06-21T17:00:00.008-04:00

Here is the description from the wall label:

Students were asked to remember Jesus’ message “Love one another as I have loved you.” While remembering this message they created their own block of a community quilt. In this at-home assignment they created patterned backgrounds and collaged houses that held a message of neighborly love. And just as we are all one part of the human race, their projects became one part of the class community quilt.

This was an at-home assignment. Students were provided with a project packet containing some materials and the linked instructions.

Love Your Neighbor: Community Quilt

This Little Light Of Mine: Stained Glass Votives Levels 3 - 5

2011-06-21T16:52:00.005-04:00

Here is the description from the wall label:

Jesus tells his followers to “Be Light and Salt.” In this project students thought about what this might mean to them. They also learned about different Christian symbols that have been used in art to represent this message. Then, they created their own luminous designs on clear acetate, which were later turned into beautiful votives.

Materials used:

Acetate sheets
Cardboard
Gold paint
Sharpies
Pencils
Sketch paper
Tape
Battery-powered tea lights

Passion Paintings Levels 3 - 5

2011-06-21T16:48:00.005-04:00

Here is the description from the wall label:

Students worked collaboratively to recreate a visual timeline of the Passion of Our Lord. After viewing an animated film and a selection of artworks depicting Christ’s suffering and death, they each selected a part of the passion to depict in paintings of their own. In the process of painting they had to consider such elements as foreground, background and middle ground, texture, color mixing, and visual narrative to create works that were compositionally balanced while also clearly conveying the part they were representing.

Materials used:

Canvas squares
White acrylic gesso
Acrylic paints
Brushes
Forks
Cotton balls
Black sharpies

Medieval Saints Trading Cards Levels 3 - 5

2011-06-21T16:43:00.003-04:00

Here is the description from the wall label:

In all levels, students learn about the lives of saints and the great sacrifices many of them made for their faith. Our upper elementary students translated this learning into the creation of trading cards. They looked at examples of illuminated manuscripts and medieval religious iconography where they noticed the abundant use of gold and created their own saints portraits with gold embellishments. These portraits also incorporated identifying symbols of their saints. On the backs of the portraits the students incorporated stats for their saints, similar to the stats found on most trading cards.

Materials:

Colored pencils
Sharpies
Gold markers
Pencils
Rulers

Communion of Saints Puppets Levels K, 1 & 2

2011-06-21T16:38:00.004-04:00

Here is the description from the wall label:
Our youngest students were introduced to the lives of the saints in the creation of hand puppets. They carefully chose their puppets’ costumes, hair coloring and accessories. Then with the help of many parents and teachers they used scissors and glue to create unique puppets of many different saints who together form the communion of saints in heaven.

Materials used:

Pre-made muslin hand puppets
Fabrics
Yarn
Felt
Wiggle Eyes
Bead
Misc. Items
Elmer's glue
Hot glue (teacher use)
Scissors

Fruit of the Vine Mobiles Level 2

2011-06-21T16:33:00.003-04:00

Here is the description from the wall label:

Students in the First Communion class learn about the sacrament of Eucharist and the consecration of the bread and the wine. During the Last Supper, Christ refers to the wine, symbolic of his blood, as the fruit of the vine. In this instance it is both the grapes that grow on a literal vine and it is Christ as the fruit with God as the vine. The mobiles themselves were created with paper the students hand-painted using a sponging technique. From this paper bunches of grapes were cut and assembled. Fishing line, chenille stems, and bamboo skewers were also used to finish off the mobiles design.

Materials used:

Tempera Paints (yellow, green, blue, purple)
Sponges
Brushes
Oak tag paper
Pipe cleaners
Bamboo skewers
Fishing line
Foam squares
Grape and Leaf Tracers
Scissors
Pencils
Black Sharpies

Watercolor Resist Palms Paintings Levels K & 1

2011-06-21T16:26:00.004-04:00

Here is the description from the wall label:

On Palm Sunday, students talked about why we receive palms and then created artwork where they experimented with the magic of watercolor resist. They began by drawing the palms branches with bight green and yellow crayons. Next they painted over their drawings with blue and purple watercolors and learned how wax and water do not mix.

Materials used:

Crayons (greens & yellows)
Watercolors (purple & blue)
Brushes
Watercolor paper

Fisher's Of Men Bottle Fish Levels K & 1

2011-06-21T16:17:00.005-04:00

Here is the description from the wall label:

Jesus invites us to be fisher’s of men, just as He asked this of his apostles. We are all followers of Christ and compelled to share our faith through our words and our actions. In our missionary efforts we spread the word of Christ by talking about our beliefs. The early Christians, under the threat of persecution, did the same thing. However, they had a secret code that allowed them to know if the person to whom they were speaking was a Christian. Knowing that fish reappear in many of the gospels, they adopted the fish as a symbol of their beliefs. When meeting another person they would draw an arc in the dirt. If the other person drew a second arc, completing the fish symbol, then they could speak freely about their faith. Students were introduced to the Christian symbol of the fish in the making of their own fish using primarily recyclable materials.

Materials used:

Empty water bottles
Easter basket grass
Wiggle eyes
Fun Foam
Fin & Tail tracers
Scissors
Pencils
Hot glue (teacher use)

In God's Hands Birds Levels K & 1

2011-06-21T16:08:00.004-04:00

Here is the description from the wall label:

Students talked about how God cares for all of us and for all creation. We are safe in His hands and that is why we have faith that things will always work out. With this concept in mind, students created their own birds of creation that rest in God’s loving hands. Those who finished early had the opportunity to create lilies using tracings of their own hands. Their fingers became the delicate petals.

Materials used:

Crayola model magic
Craft feathers
Wiggle eyes
Skin-tone fun foam
Scissors
Hand-tracers
Pencils

Mixed Media Crosses Level K & 1

2011-06-21T15:58:00.007-04:00

This is the description from the wall label:

The cross is possibly the most recognized Christian symbol. During the season of Lent students crafted crosses out of a variety of materials from buttons to sequins to polyester flowers. They had fun marbleizing the clay bases and blinging out the crosses.

Materials used:

White and colored Crayola model magic (about 1/2 oz. per project)
Colored large craft sticks
Sequins, beads and misc. "bling"
Elmer's glue
Small craft flowers (cut from larger bunches)

Third Annual Sacred Art Show

2011-06-21T15:28:00.006-04:00

These posts are long overdue, but here at last are the pictures from the Third Annual Sacred Art Show held at Holy Family Church this past May. The lessons span all grade levels, all mediums and a number of gospels. Many can be tweaked to be used in a non-religious setting. And a few have been used in secular settings and adapted to fit the gospels. Many can be expanded upon to teach specific elements of art and principles of design or to relate to other subject matters.

I will follow up with posts dedicated to each specific project, but here is the overview:

Mixed Media Crosses by Levels K & 1
(the backdrop was created by one of our middle school students)

In God's Hands Birds by Levels K & 1

Watercolor Resist Palm Paintings by Levels K & 1

Fisher's of Men Bottle Fish Levels K & 1

Baptismal Doves by Levels K & 1

Fruit of the Vine Mobiles by Level 2

All students created saints-themed projects. They were displayed together along the back wall. Levels K - 2 created Communion of Saints Puppets; levels 3 - 5 created Medieval Saints Trading Cards; and levels 6 - 9 created Saints Self-Portraits.

Passion Paintings by Levels 3 - 5

This Little Light of Mine: Votive Candles by Levels 3 - 5

Love Your Neighbor Community Quilt by Levels 3 - 5

Love Your Neighbor Although We Are Different We Are the Same by Level 2

We Are One World by Levels 6 - 9

Christian Logo T-shirt Designs by Levels 6 - 9

Finger Print Pictures Kindergarten

2011-06-20T23:28:00.004-04:00

In that same art room, the kindergarten students used their unique fingerprints to come up with all sorts of creatures and pictures. They were encouraged to use "only one finger" in an effort to keep things minimally messy. Each table group was given a large stamp pad and some pencils. Damp paper towels were provided to clean inked up fingers.

Here (and above) are some of the sample designs I did during the demonstration:

Jelly Bean Monsters Grade Four

2011-06-20T23:23:00.003-04:00

So, today in art the regular art teacher left this worksheet for the students to use in designing jelly bean monsters (basically monsters that start with a body shaped like a jelly bean).

I decided to go a step further and encourage the students to come up with a whole theme or village or whatever. Basically I wanted them to think beyond just making the monsters and put them in some sort of environment. My monsters weren't very monstrous, but they sure could rock out!

Here's what I came up with:

Materials were black sharpies and crayons on manila paper.

Music & Art: Grades 4 & 5

2011-06-20T23:10:00.005-04:00

So I was substituting in a music room for a teacher who loves to let me incorporate art whenever I am in for her class. Last week, I read the students the book M Is For Music by Kathleen Krull. In this book each letter of the alphabet is surrounded by musical words that start with each letter. Previously in this school year, I also did an illuminated letter project with initials of fourth grade students. I liked that idea and the way there were words and illustrations in the book, so I combined them into a new project.

The students chose a theme, activity, song, etc. that they learned about or participated in this year. Then they "illuminated" that first letter of that particular thing. Around the letter they could include illustrations and words that related to the main idea (the related words could start with any letter). Below is my example:

Materials were: Black sharpie, markers and colored pencils (using layering and blending techniques)

Here are some of the illuminated initials from earlier in the year. These are all done by fourth grade students. The materials included watercolor, gold tempera and markers.

What's Bugging You? Some Lessons Completed While Substituting In An Art Room

2011-06-20T23:01:00.004-04:00

These lessons were left for a general substitute to be able to do, so they are not particularly complex, but they are fine for the end of the year, especially if you have scraps of construction paper piled up in the art room.

The first project was a KINDERGARTEN one. The students use tracers for the body and wings. The dots are done in marker or crayon. Use a whole punch and a brass fastener to attach the wings to the body.

The second project would be suitable for SECOND or THIRD grade. This is a lesson with no tracer. Fold a piece of 8 x 10 black paper in half the long way ("hotdog") and draw just half of the outline of a bug body. Then cut it out. Make sure you are drawing and cutting on the folded side. When you open it up, you'll have a whole bug. Embellish with scraps of construction paper. Using whole punches of various sizes will make the spots interesting. Remember that the designs should be symmetrical.

Miniature Room Ages 8 and up

2011-06-20T22:38:00.005-04:00

Do you recall the miniature workshop that I taught a few months ago? Well, I was hoping to get some photos from that, but since I was too busy teaching to take my own and the person who took the photos never sent me copies, it seems that just some images from the project itself will have to do.

Below are several views of the same miniature room. Just about everything is made from re-purposed materials or small craft items. I am planning to run this same workshop as a mini-course at art camp this year. Yes, Art at Tower is almost here again. I will update on that soon.

Father's Day Card Project Elementary Level

2011-06-03T22:47:00.006-04:00

So, I am still in the process of going through and editing tons of photos from the recent Sacred Art Show and sadly they are not ready for posting yet. In the meantime, I will share with you a lesson that I did while subbing last school year. This is NOT my lesson, but rather it belongs to a fabulous art teacher that I subbed for. The lesson was taught to multiple grades (because it is great as a sub plan this time of year). I think I did it with grades 1, 2 and 3.

This sample uses scrap booking paper for the tie and real buttons on the collar.
Note the tickets and photos peeking out of the pockets. The inside label bears the initials of the artist (me).

The lesson is to make a card that looks like a shirt and tie set (traditional dad gift). The card starts with a piece of 18 X 6 construction paper that is pre-folded in half to make a 9 x 6" card. Then at the folded end, you cut in about 1/2" down on the side and about 1" in (about 2 little kid fingers wide). These two flaps are folded inward at angle to make the shirt collar. Glue them down. The tie is added with plain or patterned paper (using a tracer or eye-ball it). You can also make a western-type tie or bow tie. The shirt details are added with marker or crayon (details on tie can be added, too). Real buttons can be added to the collar or shirt if you have them or they can be drawn on. It is best to use a hot-glue gun to attach the buttons.

The shirt flips upward to reveal the inside of the card where you can add a written note.

Here are some more of the many samples I've made:

This sample is all construction paper (even the tie); patterns and details are all crayon.
There are still real buttons on the collar though and initials for the label.

This sample is all construction paper (even the tie); details are crayon and black marker. There are still real buttons on the collar though and initials for the label. The tie has a Spongebob theme.

This sample is all construction paper (even the tie) and the details are crayon and black sharpie again. This has the Western-theme though. No more real buttons, but still bearing the initials on the label.

North Shore Art Teacher Association Mosaics Workshop: May 19, 2011

2011-05-24T23:42:00.010-04:00

As promised here is the first of many upcoming posts. In this post I am providing all the lessons from the workshop that I presented on mosaics. There are lessons for all elementary grades and a grade seven lesson that can be modified for grade six and up.

I am also including some pictures taken at the workshop so you can almost feel like you were there.

Suggested reading from the workshop.

Ready for the workshop to begin.

Beginning with the heaviest of projects... large tile mosaics.

Getting into 3D options for ceramic tile mosaics -- these examples are on terra cotta clay pots.

Sharing the grade 3 lesson.

Talking about the materials for the various lessons.

Below each project photo, you can click on the link of the lesson title and get a full .pdf document complete with materials, resources, instructions, and visual examples. Enjoy!

Kindergarten Pressed Clay Mosaics Lesson (uses air dry clay and whatever materials you have on hand)

Grade 1 Mosaics Cities Lesson (uses foam shapes)

Grade 2 Mosaics Cubed Lesson (uses fun foam scraps squares)

Grade 3 Subway Style Mosaics Lesson (using paper squares)

Grade 3 Subway Style Mosaics Lesson (with recycled materials option)

Grade 4 Ancient Mosaics Lesson (uses dried beans)

Grade 5 Islamic Inspired Mosaics Lesson (uses aquarium gravel)

Grade 7 Marvelous Mosaics Lesson (uses industrial grade materials and ceramic tiles)

Grade 5 Portrait Lesson

2011-05-11T21:38:00.000-04:00

So today was a day spent as a substitute art teacher. For one class, the regular teacher asked me to come up with a lesson related to portraits. Here is what I pulled out of thin air with little planning. However, with a little more development I think this lesson could be a keeper so I am passing it on to anyone who wants to run with it.

For this lesson, students begin by drawing ovals for their heads. Then a hat is added. For the example I made a floppy hat, but the students could make any hat they chose. Next the hat is divided into parts (at least 5 to 7 works best). In each part the students wrote a "title" that they have. This could be something ranging from a family relationship (like sister or daughter) to a hobby (like gamer or drummer). Once the various text were added (different shapes of lettering makes it look even nicer), the facial features (one eye may be hidden by the brim), hair, and clothing details were added. Then, everything was outlined in black unless a few of the words were left in pencil to be outlined in the next step. After outlining, students chose a favorite color (just one) and used that to color parts of the hat, lettering, clothing and facial features leaving the hair and skin white.

When the portrait part was complete, students broke the background into segments and each segment had a different pattern drawn using the limited color palette of black and the one chosen color.

Variations of this theme:

Graduate Portraits: Students draw themselves wearing graduation caps and the text depicts their future ambitions.
Mother's or Father's Day Portraits: Students draw their parents and write words of gratitude on the hats.
Friend Portraits: Students draw a classmate and the text on the hat is all complimentary adjectives that describe the classmate. Or the text on the hat is favorite things that classmate likes as determined by an interview prior to drawing.

Enjoy these ideas and if you use them I'd love to hear about it, so feel free to comment.

Pre-emptive Apology

2011-05-01T22:40:00.004-04:00

The next several weeks (most of May) are expected to be a hectic time, so I may have to refrain from frequent posting. Many things are in the works and all within the same week, so I have a lot of planning to do...

In the works:

The Third Annual Sacred Art Show, which will be on May 22nd, requires lots of time tying up loose ends, preparing press releases, writing programs, making wall labels, mounting and labeling student work, and of course hanging the show.
A block of art classes for kindergarten students (previously mentioned) takes place on May 20th (day before installation of the art show) and will require some supply shopping and back-up planning (in case the students work faster than anticipated).
An art teacher workshop on mosaics in and out of the classroom, which I am presenting to my fellow members of the North Shore Art Teachers Association, takes place on May 19th (see the crunch time pattern, yet?). This will involve a lot of preparation as well. I will be making sample pieces, acquiring materials for make & takes, drafting detailed lesson plans, printing plenty of those out, and putting together a slide presentation of student work.

So, as you can easily guess, I will be very busy with all of these things culminating in the same hectic week. In addition, I have a few art shows to attend, my day job to maintain, my night job to maintain, my permanent long-term job to continue applying for, my summer camp job to plan for, and much more. Please, be patient and understanding if you see a lack of posts. I can promise that after that crazy, busy week there will be more than enough posts coming your way.

In the meantime, here is a paper mache turtle project to pique your interest. It was a sample used in my summer camp art class last July. The form for the body(shell) is a 1/4 of a coffee caddy (the four cup-holder device from most coffee places). The head, tail (which I think I made too long), and legs are all formed from newspaper. Then everything is covered in overlapping layers of newspaper dipped into Elmer's art paste. Once dry it can be painted over. I used acrylic paints (some with sand added for texture). Colored sand was also sprinkled over Elmer's School Glue on the shell for more pattern and texture. Glue or paint on eyes. Then, enjoy!

Speaking of Space -- Here's Some Alien Portraits by Grade One and Grade Two!

2011-04-25T21:28:00.006-04:00

A few weeks back I was subbing for an art teacher and the students in the first and second grade classes made really cool alien portraits using markers and crayons! The backgrounds were divided into patterned segments. Some students spent so much time drawing the aliens they didn't quite get to the patterned part or even to the coloring in part... but here (and above) are some awesome aliens!

Today in Kindergarten

2011-04-25T21:15:00.005-04:00

Today was a really fun day of substitute teaching in a kindergarten class. It was so exciting because the students were being introduced to space -- that's right, the great beyond! They were learning about the planets and the names of space related vehicles and astronauts. Anyway, the students all made their own space rockets using construction paper. I sat down and made one, too! I got a little fancy with some 3-D details:

Then during "choice time" there was one table that was a drawing table and I sat down with the kids and had a great time drawing horses with them. This class really liked horses! They all wanted my picture to color in, which seems to happen a lot when I draw with the students, so here is my horse drawing. I might keep it to use as a coloring page. Everyone else can do that, too, if they want to download the picture. Here is my horse, Cl0ver:

Feathered Friends -- Bird Themed Projects

2011-04-19T13:24:00.004-04:00

With the shining sun and the cool spring air comes the joyous song of birds on the wing.

I've had the opportunity to teach bird-themed projects in two different venues and soon to be three with an upcoming May workshop held as part of a public school fine arts day event.

The first project is a paper arts project that was part of a mini-course I taught last summer at art camp. The mini-course wasn't just for the birds. It was actually a course on making lots of things from folded papers, but the birds were probably my favorite thing to make. The pattern for this project came from a book titled "The Magic Of Paper Sculpture" written by David Swinton. The book also gives step-by-step directions for forming the birds.

Here is an example that I made:

And here is one made by a student:

Most of the students in the mini-course were between 12 and 14 years old, so I would say the folded paper birds project is best suited for middle school students.

The other bird project I will talk about is one that I mentioned previously. It was done with kindergarten and first grade students at my church where I teach religious-themed art lessons that tie in with the weekly gospels. The birds the students made were sitting in "God's hands", but the ones I am posting now are just really cute birds made from model magic and feathers. I did not glue wiggle eyes onto my examples -- I actually like them better without the silly eyes, although the students would disagree.

Here are a few sample birds:

Depending on what colors of model magic you have on hand, this lesson can be used to teach complimentary, warm and cool, contrasting, primary or secondary colors. The birds are formed from a about 2 1/2 oz. of model magic each which students roll into balls. Then the head is "pinched" out and the base of the tail is "pulled" out. The beak and feet are added from small pieces of model magic that are actually cut to shape with scissors. Finally, the craft feathers are poked into the clay (the feathers can also teach color theory depending on what kind you have) to form wings and tails.

An extension of the above is to create a home for the bird. This is what I am planning to teach to kindergarten students in May. The house is made from poster board that is cut to 6 x 22", pre-folded and pre-punched with a hanging hole. The board is unfolded and texture painted with sponges. I used white and black tempera on colored poster board.

The painted poster board is set aside to dry while the birds are formed. When the birds are done the paint should be dry and the houses can be re-folded on the lines and stapled together to form a triangular house. A string can be looped through the hole at the top for carrying or hanging.

Bird in a triangular house.

New Quilled Series

2011-04-19T12:58:00.005-04:00

So, I've decided that not having a ventilated workspace is not going to stop me from making art that I enjoy. That used to mean making oil paintings and it still would if I had the ventilation, but since I became aware of paper quilling last year when I was asked to teach a workshop on the subject, I've continued to dabble with quilled paper designs. Mostly, I find myself drawn to designs with rotational symmetry and some floral influence. They are circles within squares (or diamonds, depending on how you orient them).

The designs do feel like they have some relationship to my work in oils. The scale and size are about the same and they relate to the en-masse series in that they do have repeated shapes that are clustered together. For now, making them is proving satisfying in many ways. I like the look of them, the tactile quality, the verging on the edge of 2D and 3D design, and the way I can pick them up and put them down whenever I can squeeze in a few minutes of time. There is little cleanup or preparation and all the materials store easily in one portable box.

Also, today I learned that the paper quilled designs have a personal and emotional connection for a dear friend of mine -- a family member of hers used to make them right before passing on. I'm glad seeing my designs brings back happy memories for her.

Recently, I made a triptych of three designs, which I aptly names Rotational Motif 1, 2, 3.

Each individual motif is a 4" quilled design mounted onto a 6" embossed paper. Together, matted, the trio measure 8" x 22".

The smaller designs (I usually work 6 x 6") were made for a fundraiser show that takes place tonight. If anyone wants an opportunity to own some beautiful artwork with over 100 pieces represented, raffle tickets for a chance to win these works are only $2 and there will also be some pieces sold at auction. The event also has free food, live entertainment, and a collaborative wall drawing taking place. More details are on the poster below and on the gallery website:
http://17cox.com
All proceeds go to support the Red Cross and Japan Quake Relief and are being matched dollar for dollar so if you do want to take part in this great event, your dollar will go twice as far as it would on its own!

A Room With A View - Grade 2

2011-04-04T22:25:00.004-04:00

This is a one-class drawing lesson for elementary students. The theme is to draw a picture of a room with a view to the outside of the building as well as a view into the mind of the artist. The objects in the room should be representative of interests, hobbies, favorite things, etc. This lesson is also a great opportunity to integrate perspective, pattern, background, foreground, texture and line. Matisse's "Red Room" and Van Gogh's "Bedroom at Arles" would be good references to show to the students to get them thinking about perspective and patterns.

Here is my example drawing:

Matisse's painting:

VanGogh's painting

Things Are Gettin' Fishy Around Here!

2011-03-27T22:51:00.004-04:00

Here are a few fish-themed ideas for lessons.

This first project was a drawing assignment that used fluorescent crayons and watercolor resist. It was a third grade lesson done while substitute teaching. The students had visual references to work from when drawing their own fish and ocean life.

This is my example:

And this second project was one that I did this year with the K/1 age group at the church. There it was linked to the "Fisher's of Men" gospel, but obviously a fish could just be a fish if done in a secular setting. The materials used were: plastic water bottles, Easter basket grass, fun foam, wiggle eyes, and hot glue/glue guns. I provided tracers for the fins and eyes circles.

Here is one of the many fish that I made (student fish will be posted with the art show images in May):

A Dozen Bunnies -- Grade 1

2011-03-24T22:23:00.006-04:00

So my sample for this project was a gardening bunny. The students pointed out that my bunny looks sad -- something that I didn't even realize.

Here Comes Peter Cottontail!

I've done this drawing lesson a few times while substituting. And I love how all the drawings have their own personalities. It a simple drawing lesson that the students follow along with step-by-step beginning with the u-shaped bunny head, then and egg-shaped body, etc. The details and backgrounds are all their own design. Then they simply outline in marker before coloring in. The backgrounds are colored with texture rubbings. It is a good one-class project.

A soccer playing bunny that is staying hydrated with his water bottle.
Waving hello!
This bunny looks a bit stunned.
I absolutely love all the details in this picture. Check out those patterns and accessories. Wow!
Another waving bunny. I think the two students were seated near each other. Hmm... wonder who copied whose idea?
A rare lop-eared bunny!
Pretty much every bunny was white, so I love how this student embraced purple! A far-out bunny rockin' the peace sign!
Squiggly whiskers!
This is a hard-working carpenter bunny. He has a lot of nails and a sturdy hammer!
I feel like this bunny may be at the ocean, must be that blue ground. She even has her bunny belly-button showing!
The only bunny who looks like she is out for a stroll chasing butterflies!

Squirrels! Grade K

2011-03-16T13:11:00.003-04:00

I needed a lesson for the kindergarten classes and felt inspired by the fat squirrel that has been frequenting my front yard (much to the entertainment of my tuxedo cat). I decided to have the students draw their own spring squirrels. To control the size of their drawings I had them start with a tracer of an acorn. They drew the squirrels holding that central acorn, thus guaranteeing that their drawings would fill the page. We used markers, crayons, and textures plates (to rub the backgrounds). Here are some of those cute critters!

Spring Quilling

2011-03-16T13:00:00.005-04:00

While substitute teaching last week, I was asked by the art teacher to begin a quilling (filagree) assignment with the fifth graders. The idea was to start with a central design and work outward (most students did this). The design should be inspired by a floral motif. While most of these images will not immediately look like a floral motif, keep in mind they were only just started and probably will take at least another two hours before they are finished. But the tight coil was the most popular form for the students to make, so here they are:

Notice the layering of coils within and on top of each other.

A few students worked a little differently...

Happy St. Patrick's Day

2011-03-15T22:54:00.005-04:00

While I was substitute teaching for an art teacher this week, I discovered that children not only believe in leprechauns, but that they leave pennies out to try to trap them and they get visited by pesky leprechauns who mess up their bedrooms while they sleep. I had no idea that these little Irish men were almost as popular as the Easter Bunny, but I guess they are!

Anyway, two of the classes that day were making leprechaun projects that are really simple to do and are great for sub plans because they use so few materials, require little to no instruction, and prove to be a lot of fun for the kids to make.

The first leprechauns were made by the third grade. These were pre-printed on heavy paper. The students only had to color in the parts, cut them out, and assemble them with brass paper fasteners. It was pretty simple, really, so I asked that they use a variety of greens from their crayon bins and even add their own patterns to the clothing. Some students used the paper scraps from their cut-outs to make accessories like pots of gold, shamrocks, and one made a statue of liberty torch! My sample looked like "a golfer" according to one student. Here it is:

The next leprechauns made that day were by the first grade. This one was also pre-printed on paper and the students colored him in. I encouraged the same use of greens as I did with the third grade and even encouraged using a variety of colors in the beards. The students cut them out, then traced and cut shamrocks from construction paper, wrote "Happy St. Patrick's Day", then pasted the leprechauns to light green paper. A few students asked if they could add backgrounds and since these were going home with them anyway, I complied. They added rainbows, pots of gold, and more shamrocks! My sample is below:

Exciting Ideas Brewing

2011-02-27T22:02:00.003-05:00

I've been having lots of fun developing projects for my church's Sunday school program, and of course those projects will make it onto this blog in May when they are put up in the third annual Sacred Art exhibit. Until then, I will tell you that the most recent project (done today) was making little birds from model magic, craft feathers and wiggle eyes. I may end up posting this project before May just because it was so cute and could be adapted for any spring theme.

Aside from developing project ideas, I have been foraging for random junk for my upcoming miniatures workshop. I have accumulated lots of random tidbits, like the plastic liners inside soda bottle caps. I do still need metal bottle caps, though.

As previously posted the aforementioned workshop is running as "Dollhouse Diorama Drop In" at the Wenham Museum in Wenham, MA. The workshop itself is FREE with regular admission. I look forward to seeing many creative thinkers who can look at one seemingly minute thing and picture it being used as another. For example, those little plastic props that sometimes come with delivery pizza make great bases for dollhouse sized end tables. Add a large button or plastic lid to the top and you'd never guess what it was originally used as.

Dollhouse Diorama Drop-In

2011-02-16T21:52:00.003-05:00

Coming up on Sunday, March 13, 2011 I will be teaching a drop-in workshop to tie into a miniatures exhibit at the Wenham Museum in Wenham, MA. The workshop runs from 2 - 4pm, is open to all ages, and is included in the cost of admission to the exhibit.

Here is the info from the museum website:

Dollhouse Diorama Drop-In, 2-4pm

Create a Small World of your own with a Montserrat College of Art instructor

I anticipate that this will be a really fun time. Some project ideas include a library of books, an assortment of pies on a table, a birthday celebration, and a slumber party!

Valentine's Day Projects

2011-02-06T23:22:00.006-05:00

'Tis the season of hearts and mushy, gushy stuff so I thought I'd share some valentine's day ideas. A few of these are things I've come across while substitute teaching last year and a few are of my own creation.

First up, my newest project -- "Luv Mouse" -- which I would probably use with first graders. This adorable little mouse is made from fun foam, felt, wiggle eyes, poms, ribbon, and fishing line. And its magnetic! I stuck a piece of self-stick magnet strip to the back.

Here are a few projects from substitute teaching. "Op Art Hearts" also incorporates patterns (this was a third grade project) and "Luv Bug" is all about heart shapes, symmetry, and patterns (this was a fourth grade project).

And lastly, "Box of Love". This is actually a box that is not meant to be opened because you lock your love inside it to give to a special recipient to keep forever. Since the box is never opened I upcycled an empty Pop Tart box. I like using scrap booking papers for this project because you can get textured varieties like the felted and embossed papers in this sample. The papers are folded to look like the seams of the box and glued down. Poms, heart confetti and cut-out hearts add Valentine-themed details. The finishing touch (and my favorite part) is the wax seal. You can buy little wax wafers that soften when heated with a hair dryer. Then just press a heart shaped stamper into the warm wax and you get the look of an old-fashioned seal. This project was done successfully with a fourth grade class where I was a visiting artist for the day.

On the Drawing Board

2011-02-05T21:04:00.003-05:00

A number of things are currently "on the drawing board" so to speak. Aside from substitute teaching, which is being interrupted by all these snow days (making snow a terrible four letter word), I am back to teaching art projects with the Sunday school program.

In the fall three projects were already completed -- all relating to saints -- and now a few more are in progress or development. The kindergarten and first grade students made adorable bottle fish last Sunday (no teaser photos until the big art show in May) and this Sunday I will be working with the third through fifth grade students making stained glass votive designs. Under development are some ideas for the older students (sixth through ninth grade). The classroom teacher and the director of religious education would both like to see them do a project using symbolism. I am playing with the idea of Christian slogans (things like "Got God?" "I've Got A Friend In Jesus" "Prayer Is Power"). The idea is to work with stencils and printmaking to create wearable art like t-shirts, hats, etc. I'd like to give the students more of a voice in this project though by having them come up with proposals for the designs, lettering and even the objects to be printed onto.

In terms of workshops I am hoping to be teaching a few in March, but I am waiting on a reply from the museum to see what they need and when. Until I know for certain I won't be sharing any specific information about what those workshops might be. I will say that one of them will have students thinking small in a big way.

And while all this is going on I continue to seek out the excitement and wonder of a full-time teaching position. As much as I've enjoyed meeting students from lots of different schools and venues, having my own art classroom would be the best thing ever. For one thing it would give me a place to try out all of the ideas I continue to accumulate from outside sources and my own imagination. For another it would give me a reason to start "nesting" for art materials. For example, just yesterday I came across locker mirrors at the bargain price of a dollar each. If I had an art room I would have snatched up a few dozen to use for portraiture lessons. But since I didn't really have a valid reason to buy them, I overcame the urge and told myself that when I am the full-time art teacher, I can rush out to the discount store and buy as many mirrors as I want to.

Coiled Bee Hives Age 6

2011-01-30T23:39:00.006-05:00

This clay lesson is a fun way to introduce the coiling technique while making something other than the usual pot or bowl. The project starts with a longer coil and the coils get shorter as you build up and close off the hive. Then bees are made from the clay and slipped and scored before they are attached. Yet again, because I did this project at camp and did not have use of a kiln, I used Crayola Air-Dry clay. I still recommend regular firing clay if it is available. The dried pieces were then painted with tempera and glazed with acrylic gloss medium. Overall I think they came out pretty cute. This would be a fun lesson to tie into a science unit about pollination, honey production and bee colonies!

Some students liked yellow hives and some liked brown, here is one of each:

Overlapping Objects Age 8

2011-01-30T23:28:00.002-05:00

So this was a challenging art problem for some of my summer camp students. I asked them to choose an art supply to trace over and over again making overlapping designs. Then they were asked to use only a few colors to fill in the outlined designs. The complex part was that where the parts overlapped they should have chosen a new color. Most of the students stuck to a particular color family, for example, using only cool (blues & greens) colors. I allowed them to use either markers or watercolors. Rethinking this project, I would 1.) use smaller paper and fewer objects, 2.) use different media and 3.) insist on a black outline in Sharpie so that the overlapping areas stand out more.

Nonetheless, here are some of the better samples of student work from this project experiment:

Mr. Roboto Ages 6 & 7

2011-01-28T23:14:00.004-05:00

This lesson is very fun because it uses recycling, painting, assemblage, and glow-in-the-dark wiggle eyes!

Step one: Make hand-painted paper using various metallic paints. I pre-cut the papers to half-sheets (6x9) and let the students paint four sheets each. At least have to use more than one metallic color, maybe striped or using some other pattern. The other two sheets can be one solid color each. The papers need time to dry, so it is best to paint when finishing up another lesson or before starting a mini-lesson.

If you plan to do a lot of work with painted papers, it might be a good idea to have a paper painting day. Paint lots of 6 x 9 papers, metallic and others, to suit whatever painted paper lessons you have planned for the year or the next few weeks. They make great collage papers, background papers, etc., and the scraps work well towards the end of the year when you have limited supplies to work with. After the papers dry, give each student a "folder" to keep their papers in so that they will have them available for future projects.

Step two: Either bring in or have students bring in small boxes, like those from jello, powdered water flavorings, toothpaste, etc. These boxes are perfect for making small robots.

Step three: Use the boxes to trace onto the painted paper (unpainted side). Trace around the boxes, using all sides. The traced shapes get cut out and glued onto the box sides to make the robot metallic. As an extra step, smaller pieces of paper can be cut to put on the edges of the box seams. Also cut smaller pieces in different colors to make eyebrows, control panels, etc. Glue all the detail pieces onto the robot. Remind students that this is a 3D object, so they should add details to all sides!

Step four: Use metallic markers to add dials, buttons, rivets, etc.

Step five: Twist metallic pipe cleaners around pencils to get spring legs and arms, or even antennae.

Step six: Glue on the pipe cleaners (with hot glue) and glue on the wiggle eyes (with either Elmer's or hot glue).

Here are some student robots:

Design a Postage Stamp Ages 7 & 8

2011-01-28T23:01:00.003-05:00

This was another summer camp lesson, so the theme was kept very open to interpretation and imagination. The students were asked to design stamps of fantasy places using markers and colored pencils. I pre-cut the paper to squares and made the stamp edge with decorative edging scissors. First, the students made sketches of their ideas, then they transferred these ideas onto the final papers and added color. Everything from the name of the place to the monetary-value of the stamp had to relate to the idea they came up with. For example, the stamp I made to show them was for a place called "Bunnytopia" and the currency was "carrots."

I could easily see using this idea for a social studies integration for students learning about the U.S. states or even other countries. The stamps would have to have imagery that represented that state. When I was in fifth grade we learned about states and I was assigned Wisconsin. I know more about Wisconsin than any other state, including the one I live in! So my state stamp would have had a badger, a violet, a Holstein dairy cow, or something else representing the "Grand Ole Badger State."

This lesson could be extended to include "Design a Postcard," "Design Currency," or "Design a Travel Brochure."

Here are some fantasy place stamps designed by my students:

"Fairyland"

"Giants"

"Candyland"

Update : Color Block Quilts Grade 4

2011-01-28T21:46:00.004-05:00

So, I was substituting today and got to see that the project that I started with the fourth graders was completed and put on display. It looks pretty awesome in person. The regular art teacher had them just make paper snowflakes instead of the felt ones that I envisioned, but it still looks like I imagined it would. I was so excited to see it up on display in the hallway, so I snapped a picture with my cell phone and here it is:

Here is a shortcut link to the original post of the lesson:
Learn to Teach.Teach to Learn.: Color Block Quilts Grade 4: "This lesson is one that I developed by borrowing ideas from lots of different sources. It is a great lesson because it teaches students abou..."

Teacup Animals Ages 4 - 6

2011-01-27T16:16:00.003-05:00

So this is another project that was made with the Crayola air-dry clay, which I don't like to use, especially in warmer months. If I did this again and had a kiln, I would definitely use firing clay instead.

The form starts out as a simple pinch pot. The students rolled their clay into a ball first (we sang "roll, roll, roll. your clay" to the tune of "row, row, row your boat"); then they pinched into the middle with their thumbs; next the cup is shaped; finally details are added on using slipping and scoring. Elephants, bunnies, kitties, and puppies were popular animal choices. The tail for most animals became the handle of the teacup. For the elephant it was the trunk.

The dried clay was painted with tempera paints. I would probably still paint the fired clay, only I would use watercolors like a stain instead.

Here is the teacup menagerie:

Cave Art Mini-Lesson Age 7

2011-01-27T16:03:00.005-05:00

If you happen to have sandpaper available that works best, but you can substitute sandpaper with brown paper grocery bags cut to size if you need to. You can also alter this lesson to work much larger and make a mural with tempera paints and chalks. But the artwork seen here was made with low-grit sandpaper cut into strips and cray-pas oil pastels.

I showed the students lots of images of Lascaux cave paintings so they had a feel for what colors were like natural pigments and what images were typical -- animals and hunting. This would be a good lesson to leave for a substitute teacher if using cray-pas, but not if you want to make a mural.

And finally, a little Mammoth Love!

African Masks - 2 Versions

2011-01-27T15:42:00.008-05:00

The first time I taught a lesson on African masks was at summer camp when I had two different age groups to work with. I taught the lesson in much the same way, introducing the art and culture through books and visuals, as well as an example of the project that would be made. The concepts were very similar -- students were to use additive techniques, paint with attention to pattern, line and symmetry. Really only the materials varied. The younger students (aged four to six) used paper plates that they painted with tempera paints and embellished with yarn or other materials that were handy. The older students (aged seven and eight) used more complex materials, like cardboard, plaster strips, and acrylic paints. I really like teaching sculptural mask lessons like this one because students gain knowledge of other cultures while creating really unique works of art.

Here are examples of the younger students' projects:

Here are examples of the older students' projects:

Tropical Frogs Ages 7 & 8

2011-01-26T23:02:00.004-05:00

This is another project from summer camp. I used Crayola air-dry clay, which I don't recommend for longevity because the clay took a long time to dry in the humidity of summer and when it finally did it was still softer and more fragile than I would have liked. If you have a kiln, by all means use firing clay instead.

The eventually dried frogs were then painted with acrylic and glazed with acrylic gloss medium to get a nice seal and sheen. The kids had lots of reference images of tropical rain forest frogs to look at when sculpting their own frogs. Overall the results were adorable!

Here are some fabulous frogs:

This lesson would integrate well with a science rain forest unit. You could also introduce patterns if you wanted to. And if clay isn't in your budget, you could easily make these from paper-mache.

Textured Paint Bird Mobiles Ages 4 - 6

2011-01-26T22:36:00.004-05:00

A very cute lesson to do in spring especially is to make bird themed mobiles using natural tree branches (hopefully ones found on the ground and not chopped from the trees). I did this lesson with a group of students aged four to six and it was so much fun.

To begin I distribute six pieces of heavy weight paper that is already cut to 4 x 6 size. Then I distribute small cups of tempera paints in six colors. The papers are painted with one color on one side (say red) and are given texture by either running a fork through the wet paint, painting with sponges, painting with cotton swabs or painting with rags. On the opposite side of the paper once the first color is dry, the opposite color gets painted/textured (for this example that would be green). This is repeated for all six colors on the color wheel so that you end up with six papers painted red/green, orange/blue, and yellow/purple, each side using a different texture techniques as well. Painting the papers usually takes about forty minutes.

On the second day/class, the students use bird shape tracers to trace and cut birds from their hand-painted papers. Then they glue on feathers and wiggle eyes. Holes are punched into the top of each bird so that fishing line can be strung. Then the teacher (me), attaches the birds to the branches to make the mobiles.

Here are some close-ups of the flock that was created:

Students learn about color theory (a good follow up to a lesson on primary and secondary colors), texture and kinetics.

Emotion Paintings Ages 7 & 8

2011-01-26T22:26:00.003-05:00

So I've decided to go through some of my images from past lessons that were never posted to the blog.

First up is a lesson I taught on abstract expressionism using emotive colors and mark-making. These paintings were done in acrylic on pieces of canvas paper that I happened to have available. The students were asked to visualize emotions and describe them using artistic elements like color, line, and mark-making.

Many students interpreted excited or happy to have erratic marks (like Pollock). Others related more to colors by mixing muddied colors to express sadness or just using colors that they felt represented happiness.

Here are some examples that the students created:

A Beautiful Gift!

2011-01-05T20:22:00.004-05:00

Since this blog contains the sub-heading "What I teach. What I make. And what makes me", I thought it was high time I offered up some of the latter portion of this triad. So, here is a photo of a beautiful hand-crafted gift that I received from a very special friend of mine. My friends are, after all, part of what makes me.

Handmade Novelties

2010-12-31T00:01:00.009-05:00

As promised here are the gifts I lovingly crafted for my friends and family this Christmas.

Up first: A selection of felt coin purses. These have an opening in the center suitable for sliding a debit card or ID card into and two side pockets with snap closures for carrying money or other trinkets. The purses are two-toned and embellished with either beads or a felted flower.

Up next: A larger, squared felt wallet with a side pocket and a center pocket with a loop closure (loops around the bow). On the opposite side of the side pocket is a decorative large felt flower.

Then: A lavender-scented paperweight. On the top half sits a large felt flower. The bottom half is stitched with an "x" design. Edged with brightly colored embroidery floss and filled with dried rice and dried lavender, this paperweight can also be used as a sachet or a pin-cushion.

Finally in the felt department: A pair of pens adorned with felt flowers. Made to match the squared wallet and the paperweight.

In the illustration arena, I created some name designs for the younger gift recipients to hang on their bedroom walls. These went to my cousins' children, Aria, Vivian and Cassidy, and to the daughter of someone who is family by choice. His daughter's name is Ariana. Of course, since the children are still too young to appreciate the coolness of such gifts, I also got them something else that could be played with rather than just looked at.

Anyone interested in purchasing something similar to any of the things mentioned in this post may certainly do so. Please contact me directly for price quotes.

Cool Color Aliens Grade 2

2010-12-29T02:33:00.003-05:00

While I was in for an art teacher at another school, she had a lesson planned for teaching warm and cool colors. The students had already done the warm color component which used shapes to create an abstract design that was painted with warm color tempera paints.

When I was there, they were on the cool color component which still used simple shapes, but used them to make a silly alien in space. Purples, greens and blues were used for this painting project.

Here is the painting that I made with the students that day:

The Gingerbread Man Grade 1

2010-12-29T02:22:00.003-05:00

I was also in as a substitute for a first grade classroom teacher who was having a gingerbread-themed day. She knew that I was an art teacher and asked that I come up with a simple little project to go along with the classic Gingerbread Man story.

Using limited classroom supplies like construction paper, special edger scissors, buttons and crayons, I came up with this little lesson.

I began by setting the background scene. Students were given 9x12" light blue paper and shown how to draw the house (no tracers). The house details were added and crayons were used to add color. White copier paper, pre-cut into fourths, was distributed and students tore the paper to make snow for the ground and sky. Glue sticks were used to adhere the torn paper to the larger paper.

The gingerbread men were already printed onto brown construction paper so the students just had to cut them out. Then I handed out all of the pre-cut smaller pieces of paper and taught them how to get two of the same shape eyes by folding the paper, etc. They edger scissors were rotated around the room so everyone got the opportunity to use the different designs. The gingerbread men were glued onto the papers with the houses. Each student could then pick two buttons, which I hot-glued onto their otherwise finished projects.

Here is my example:

Winter Cityscapes Kindergarten

2010-12-29T02:11:00.005-05:00

When teaching this lesson, I like to begin by reading a book that has lots of pictures of city buildings. Then, students are asked to name things that make a city, like Boston, different than a suburb or the country. They usually get tall buildings and skyscrapers right at the beginning, but soon add other things like cars, streets, lights, city animals and birds, etc.

I then distribute a large sheet of white paper (12 x 18") and several rectangular tracers to be used to "build" skyscrapers. Students get to work tracing and drawing their city scenes. Then we used crayons to add color and silver peel-and-stick paper to create windows. The same project could be done using collage techniques with construction paper instead of drawing and coloring.

The drawings are cut-out and glued onto dark blue paper (also 12 x 18"). Then the fun part begins. Students come up in pairs to a paint splatter area (a large box big enough to hold the paper). Toothbrushes are used to splatter white tempera snow over the entire paper (especially the sky). This is a messy project and students will get lots of paint on their hands as they learn how to hold the toothbrush in one hand and fleck the paint by running a finger from the other hand over the bristles. They may also end up with some paint on their faces and hair if they are not carefully watched.

Color Block Quilts Grade 4

2010-12-29T01:57:00.005-05:00

This lesson is one that I developed by borrowing ideas from lots of different sources. It is a great lesson because it teaches students about color-mixing (especially mixing neutrals), allows them to work both individually and within a group, introduces some stitching techniques, employs watercolor-resist and deals with complex cutting. This lesson can also be broken apart and used as just an exercise.

To begin students are given a 6" square of watercolor paper and a 1" measuring tool to make the grid lines in white crayon. The white crayon is difficult to see on the white paper, but it does have a different texture so it is possible. Another color could be substituted, but I like the way the white looks in the finished product.

Before distributing the paint, brown and black are removed so that the students have to mix their own chromatic neutrals. Each square in the grid must be a different mixed color -- no straight from the pan colors are allowed. Each student has a personal goal of achieving 36 different mixed colors. Within the table groups (4 students each), the team goal is the most mixed colors in comparison to the other table groups. Each member of the winning team is promised a small prize. The color-mixing takes up an entire class time and then the teacher counts all the colors. The teacher is the final judge on how many colors were achieved.

At the next class, a small hole punch is used to make holes around the border of the color-mixed blocks. Then thin yarn and plastic needles are used to stitch around the edges. Finally snowflakes are cut out by folding copier paper squares and cutting out the shapes. Once students have achieved a successful paper snowflake, that snowflake is used as the tracer for making the felt one that will be used in the finished project. Felt snowflakes are coated in Elmer's glue and glittered before they are mounted over the painted squares.

My vision for the finished display would be to arrange all the blocks together to form a large quilt.

Big Project For Grade 5 Part Two

2010-12-29T01:50:00.004-05:00

When the groups finished I introduced a drawing lesson to accompany the painting one.

The drawings were of figures playing in the snow or skating. I had a handout available that broke down figure measurements and I had a few wooden mannequins available as visual aides. Students also acted as visual aides as they stood in front of the class to demonstrate how many heads a person was, etc. The figures were then colored with markers and cut out to be used as part of the school's display board.

Here are some of the drawings:

And here they are as part of the display:

Big Project For Grade 5 Part One

2010-12-29T01:38:00.005-05:00

The fifth graders worked on a collaborative project for over four weeks. This project was not my own idea, but it is awesome nonetheless.
To begin six students (one from each table group) were selected by lottery to be the designated tracees. We used an overhead projector to create a life-size silhouette of each student that I traced. Then the outlines were filled in with facial features, clothing details and lots of patterns. The students' drawn figures were supposed to look like they were having a snow-ball fight so when they posed to be traced they tried to keep this in mind. Once all the details were satisfactorily drawn, the groups got to work painting with tempera paints, especially bright fluorescent colors! The finished paintings were cut out by me to be mounted on the schools walls and turned into life-size cardboard cut-out by using refrigerator boxes. The painting part of the project took about three weeks on its own.