Bring on the Bling! Vacation Week Workshop at the Wenham Museum

Later this week, I will be teaching another workshop at the Wenham Museum. (www.wenhammuseum.org). 

The latest in the workshops that I have taught there coincides with their current exhibit: Spingle, Spangle: The Sequin Exhibit. This workshop is intended for young students age 6 and up. 

Workshop Details:

 

Bring on the Bling!

Thursday, February 21, 10 am – 12 pm.  

Members: $8; Non-Member: $12

Adult Non-Members: Museum Admission

Be inspired by the museum's shimmering Spingle Spangle: The Sequin costume exhibit and bling-out a papier-mâché box with decoupage and glittery embellishments.

Ages 6+ (A drop off program)

April Workshops at the Wenham Museum

Here are two workshops that I will be teaching in April. Register early. Space is limited. Go to http://www.wenhammuseum.org/youth_families.html for more info.

Storybook Illustrations
Wednesday April 18; 10am – 12pm

Assemble and illustrate hard-bound storybooks using creativity, imagination and inspiration! Design the cover, create the imagery, and develop the story for your own unique literary treasure. Ages 7+

Hand-crafted Dollhouse Furniture
Thursday, April 19; 10am-12pm

Nothing says luxury like a four-poster bed for your doll’s master bedroom. Craft beautiful 1/12 scale furniture using ingenuity, found materials, and a touch of elegance. Finished pieces are suitable for placement in a dollhouse or miniatures display. Ages 7+

Single Sessions: Members $22.00 non-members $27.00
Both Sessions: Members: $38.00 non-members $48.00
Register by April 10; space is limited

New Workshops Coming Soon!

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!

Art At Tower July 2011

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!

Miniature Room Ages 8 and up

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.

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

As promised here is the first of many upcoming posts. In this post I am providing visuals of 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.

Kindergarten Lesson

Download the lesson here:   Kindergarten Pressed Clay Mosaics

Grade 1 Lesson

Download the lesson here: Grade 1 - Mosaic Cities

Grade 2 Lesson

Download the lesson here:  Grade 2 - Mosaics Cubed

Grade 3 Lesson

Grade 3 Subway Style Mosaics Lesson (with recycled materials option)
Download the lesson here: Grade 3 - Subway Style Mosaics

Grade 4 Lesson

Download the lesson here: Grade 4 - Ancient Mosaics

Grade 5 Lesson

Download the lesson here: Grade 5 - Islamic Inspired Mosaics

Grade 6 & Up Lesson

Download the lesson here: Marvelous Mosaics

Exciting Ideas Brewing

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

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!

Space Still Available!

My mobiles class at the Wenham Museum was a huge success, but the next class I hope to teach there is still a little low on enrollment, so here is the info on that class again...

Simple Sewing Stitchery
Saturday November 6, 9 am – 12 pm
$25 Members, $30 Non-members

Design, cut, stitch, and “bling” your cell phone pouches, i-pod cases, fashion accessories and more.

Ages 11 – 14

Remember you must register through the Wenham Museum:

Montserrat Art Classes at the Wenham Museum
132 Main Street, Wenham, MA 01984 Tel: (978) 468-2377

Pre-registration at least one week before class is required. Call the Wenham Museum to register.

Here is a sample of the types of things that could be made...

Upcoming Fall Workshops At The Wenham Museum

Here is the info for the workshops that I am scheduled to teach. Please let everyone know and if you have kids, sign them up!

Montserrat Art Classes at the Wenham Museum
132 Main Street, Wenham, MA 01984 Tel: (978) 468-2377

Pre-registration at least one week before class is required. Call the Wenham Museum to register.


It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Mobile
Saturday, October 16, 9:30 am – 12 pm
$20 Members, $25 Non-members

Using recyclable materials, students create 3-D model planes that fly in the breeze. Ages 6 – 10


Pop-Cars
Saturday, October 23, 9 am – 12 pm
$25 Members, $30 Non-members

Turn ordinary soda cans into awesome cars, trucks or other vehicles.Supervised cutting with sharp tools is required. Ages 11 – 14



Simple Sewing Stitchery
Saturday November 6, 9 am – 12 pm
$25 Members, $30 Non-members

Design, cut, stitch, and “bling” your cell phone pouches, i-pod cases, fashion accessories and more.

Ages 11 – 14

Art Parties/Custom Lessons

I've posted this before, but I am re-posting because now that it is summer, this can be a fun activity on your patio or in your backyard. The mosaics project is great because you can make garden stepping stones, or a small table for your outdoor environment!

It’s like hosting a customized arts or crafts workshop in your own home.
A great alternative for birthdays, other celebrations or even just because.


A variety of art materials, styles and techniques to choose from, including:

• Abstraction
• Acrylics
• Beading
• Canvas
• Charcoal
• Clay
• Colored Pencils
• Drawing
• Expressionism
• Fauvism
• Graphite
• Hand-made Books
• Ink
• Landscape
• Mixed Media
• Mosaics
• Oils
• Painting
• Paper
• Paper Quilling
• Pastels
• Pop Art
• Portraiture
• Printmaking
• Puppetry
• Realism
• Sculpture
• Still-life
• Surrealism
• Tempera
• Textiles
• Watercolors
• Weaving
• Wire


For ages three to adult.
Prices start at $75 for up to three hours of instruction.
All materials can be provided, with prices varying based upon the project.

Servicing the following Massachusetts communities:

• Beverly
• Danvers
• Hamilton
• Ipswich
• Lynn
• Marblehead
• Peabody
• Salem
• Swampscott
• Wenham
• Other areas considered upon request.


Sample Party Package (Low end)
Theme:
Portrait Drawings
Materials:
$6.00 per person
Number of Guests: 10
Price Estimate: $135.00

Sample Party Package (Mid-range)
Theme:
Hand-bound journals
Materials:
$15.00 per person
Number of Guests: 10
Price Estimate: $225.00

Sample Party Package (High end)
Theme:
Mosaic Table Tops
Materials:
$25.00 per person
Number of Guests: 10
Price Estimate: $325.00

Contact: 617-922-2246
When leaving a message include your name, date of event, number of guests, type of workshop you would like and your contact information.

Art At Tower Mini-Courses

During lunch/break time at Tower I will be offering a selection of mini-courses, one for each week of camp. These courses are smaller scale projects that can be created in a shorter amount of time. Here are the mini-course descriptions:

Week 1 July 5th – 9th
Cut & Fold Paper Sculpture
Using pre-existing templates and ingenuity you can create animal creatures, sea vessels, people, and other sculptures using paper, scissors and glue.

Week 2 July 12th – 16th
Mixed Media Portraits
Collage. Paint. Draw. Make a unique and interesting portrait of yourself or someone else as you learn to capture a likeness, embrace texture, and mix paint.

Week 3 July 19th – 23rd
Stamptastic!
Custom design your own abstract or representational stamps and use them to embellish tote bags, cell phone pouches, t-shirts, or just about anything else.

Week 4 July 26th – 30th
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.

Art At Tower Summer Camp

I will be working at Art At Tower, Tower School in Marblehead again this summer. There are two two-week sessions beginning on July 5th and July 19th and there is still space in both of them if anyone would like to register. The camp offers various modes of expression beyond visual art. Students may also take drama, dance, fashion, 'zine production, ceramics and other courses. Check out the link to the school website for more info. Go to Summer At Tower for camp info...

Art At Tower

I will be teaching a selection of courses listed below. The mosaics classes run both sessions, but the other two classes will run only once (one in the first and one in the second).

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 3D
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—terra cotta pots! At the culmination of this course students will have created unique and functional works of art.

I HE(ART) PAPER: AN EXPLORATION IN PAPER SCULPTURE
Students in this course will learn that everyday materials like newspapers and toilet paper (yes, that’s right, toilet paper!) can create beautiful works of art. Throughout this workshop experience students will craft and embellish representational objects, animals and other forms using additive sculptural techniques, paper and mixed media. Each student can expect to have completed two or more fabulous creations by the end of this course.

PLAYFUL PUPPETRY
Jim Henson had to start somewhere. Students in this course will use imagination and ingenuity to create interactive rod puppets from such materials as wood, fabric, yarn, wire, paint and found objects. Emphasis will be placed on character development and creativity as students choose to represent existing characters or those of their own imaginations.

New Workshops In July

I will be teaching three different workshops beginning on July 17th at the Wenham Museum. Here is the info from the flyer...

Summer Youth Art Program at the Wenham Museum
Saturdays, July 17, July 24 & July 31
9:30 – 12:00 pm For ages 7 and up

July 17 – Animals in Art
July 24 – Learning from the Masters
July 31 – V-room! Design a Race Car

Animals in Art – Using paint, you will learn about the elements of color and become familiar with famous artists who use images of animals in their work. Create fur-ocious paintings of your favorite furry friends.

Franz Marc's "Little Yellow Horses"


Learning from the Masters - Working in two-dimensions,you will select artwork of the past to create your own masterpiece.
You will use a variety of supplied art
materials. Become the next Picasso!

A still life by Pablo Picasso.


V-room! Design a Race Car –Design the car of the future, while finding inspiration from the cars of the past. You will learn to modify existing car body types to develop your own car that might be in a future NASCAR race!

Fee: $25 Museum members and $30 non-members


To register contact:
Wenham Museum at 978.484.2377 or visit at 132 Main Street, Wenham, MA 01984

Upcoming Art News

Upcoming events/teaching gigs...

In May the art show culminating all the art making that has been going on at my church will be happening. At the end of the month, check back for lots of pictures from the show, accompanied by brief lesson descriptions for anyone interested in doing the projects.

In related news to the above, I recently assembled five small painting panels to create some resin biblical based mixed media works to include in the art show.

Also in May my commencement will commence, finally. Although I technically completed my degree in December there was no December graduation ceremony, so it will be this month.

The academic year is almost over, and along with it my means of income as a substitute teacher, so I am actively seeking some other form of financial stability since I expect the need for my services to decrease as the end of the year gets closer.

In July and August I will be back teaching art at a summer camp. YAY! Last year was a blast (epic as the students say, but I am not allowed to since I am too old--haha)! I will be teaching mosaics again, as well as a few other courses. Updates on the camp to come in June for anyone who might want to send their kids.

So...
No photographs to accompany this post, but there will be plenty soon. I promise.

Art Parties Now Available

It’s like hosting a customized arts or crafts workshop in your own home.
A great alternative for birthdays, other celebrations or even just because.

A variety of art materials, styles and techniques to choose from, including:

• Abstraction
• Acrylics
• Beading
• Canvas
• Charcoal
• Clay
• Colored Pencils
• Drawing
• Expressionism
• Fauvism
• Graphite
• Hand-made Books
• Ink
• Landscape
• Mixed Media
• Mosaics
• Oils
• Painting
• Paper
• Paper Quilling
• Pastels
• Pop Art
• Portraiture
• Printmaking
• Puppetry
• Realism
• Sculpture
• Still-life
• Surrealism
• Tempera
• Textiles
• Watercolors
• Weaving
• Wire


For ages three to adult.
Prices start at $75 for up to three hours of instruction.
All materials can be provided, with prices varying based upon the project.

Servicing the following Massachusetts communities:

• Beverly
• Danvers
• Hamilton
• Ipswich
• Lynn
• Marblehead
• Peabody
• Salem
• Swampscott
• Wenham
• Other areas considered upon request.


Sample Party Package (Low end)
Theme:
Portrait Drawings
Materials:
$6.00 per person
Number of Guests: 10
Price Estimate: $135.00

Sample Party Package (Mid-range)
Theme:
Hand-bound journals
Materials:
$15.00 per person
Number of Guests: 10
Price Estimate: $225.00

Sample Party Package (High end)
Theme:
Mosaic Table Tops
Materials:
$25.00 per person
Number of Guests: 10
Price Estimate: $325.00

Contact: 617-922-2246
When leaving a message include your name, date of event, number of guests, type of workshop you would like and your contact information.

Upcoming Workshops

In the coming months I will be teaching a selection of three-hour workshops for young art students. These workshops cover a range of materials and are being held at two venues: The Wenham Museum and Montserrat College of Art. If interested in any of these workshops, please visit the respective websites for information on how to register. All materials are included in the workshop fees. For educators interested in the lessons for these workshops, feel free to contact me; I am always happy to share information.

Wenham Museum Workshops

To register contact Wenham Museum at 978.486.2377 or info@wenhammuseum.org



Quill You Do It? March 27th

The art of paper quilling has been practiced for hundreds of years, from the ladies of ancient Egypt to the nuns of the 18th century. It is a traditional art form that bridges the gap between drawing and sculpture.

Students in this workshop will learn the basic techniques associated with paper quilling, such as rolling papers to create a variety of simple shapes and applying this knowledge to develop their own low relief nature-inspired compositions.



Culinary Creations in Paper Sculpture March 20th

Paper isn’t always two-dimensional; it can be three-dimensional and sensational, too.

Students in this workshop will concoct their own culinary masterpieces as they learn the importance of color, texture and plate presentation, all without the use of a kitchen. The key ingredients for this eye-catching cuisine are paper, paint and imagination. With these tools of the artistic trade, students will cook up a sculptural smorgasbord.

Montserrat Workshops

To register contact Montserrat Continuing Education at 978-921-4242 http://www.montserrat.edu/continuing-ed/workshops.php

Reflections of Who I Am? Self-Portraits May 8

Using charcoal and pastels, students will explore the self-portrait, develop an understanding of facial anatomy, and incorporate expressive color choices. The relationships between facial features, the use of tone and value to create volume and the emotive quality of color form the core of this workshop experience.

Self-portait With Objects: A Personal Still Life May 1

Using a selection of student-provided objects, students will orchestrate a personally significant still life arrangement from which they will create acrylic paintings that employ color theory and compositional elements, such as perspective, balance and movement.
Students participating in this workshop should bring three to five objects that they feel best represent themselves, such as stuffed animals, trophies, hats, sneakers, sport or hobby paraphernalia, etc.



Masterpiece Paintings March 8th & 13th (two week workshop)

Students in this workshop 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 masterpieces inspired by 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.