lovely trees

I have seen a fellow art teacher and friend work on this project with her students with amazing results every time. I like to tie this lesson in with the Canadian Landscape Artists known as the "Group of Seven." Their work accentuates all that nature painting embodies; light, subtle details, and seasonal beauty.

My students carried out the task with thoughtful ease. The lesson focused on the elements of overlapping, shadow, color, and the natural details found in nature. Using a little painter's tape, liquid watercolors and brown colored pencils we could achieve a painting that focuses on the simplicity and beauty of aspen trees that even the "Group of Seven" could admire.

some like it hot

pastels, black construction paper, small circle stencil

I had first seen this project on the oodlesofart.blogspot.com and loved the simplicity and the function of this project. Introducing the theory of colors can be a little overwhelming but talking about them in a way that is understandable like "HOT" and "COOL" is fun and universal. Everyone can join in, even the youngest of artists can call out what colors are hot and what colors are cool. I began the project with drawing their own hands with black pastels, some paired up to draw each others hand which can help expedite the project a little faster. Then the students placed a circle stencil where they wanted to begin the circle pattern on the paper. It was interesting to see the results, I used the example of dropping a pebble into the water so they would have an idea of how the circles should form. I had one student create a little chaos with their circles which I thought at first oh no, but I found as the colors began to fill in the space as a very successful piece, how unexpected! It was satisfying to watch the sizzle of hot colors interact with the cools of blues, purples, and greens on the black paper.

as slow as a ......

The Snail, 1953-Henri Matisse

Though the summer has passed rather quickly,
my thoughts and actions have slowed to a snails pace.
I find myself at a loss of creativity.

Could it be the heat?
Do I need to eat more veggies?
Maybe I need to take an art class so I could play?
Do I need to exercise more?
Do I need some kind of therapy?

Questions I ask myself daily.

Perhaps the idea of summer winding down has me somewhat melancholy.

I do hope I find my creativity soon,
no stone unturned,
I am going on a quest......

so yummy i could eat them

The curvaceous shapes of sweet red pepper
inspired student's hands to roll, snake and coil
these wonderful pepper sculptures.

Snake upon snake and coil upon coil,
the shapely rolling curves of the pepper
reveals itself under the gentle slump of clay.

Its sweetness lies
in its status
as it sits proudly upon the kitchen window ledge.

we left our hearts in san francisco

Three lovely days with my daughter and aunt in San Francisco's splendor of clam chowder, Ghirardelli chocolate, windy afternoons, shopping in Union Square, cable car rides, street vendors, museums, Chinatown, and small yummy warm sugary donuts from Pier 39, oh it was sooo heavenly!

how much is that doggie in the window?

These are about
the cutest pups

in town.
Full of energy, loyal,
and they would love
nothing more
than to lick your face.


I think it would be really fun
to have a dog
who doesn't leave presents
in the backyard
(especially the smelly kind),
who looks happy all the time,
who is quiet,
who will stay when you ask it to,
who doesn't require to be fed
twice a day,
and makes you smile
every time you look at him.


Could they be...
a little like their owners?

Serious and Smart.

Fun and Playful.

Loyal and Gentle.

Thoughtful and Inquisitive.

I think so.

They are priceless!

nature's best

liquid watercolors, straws, large watercolor paper

Armed with straws we head outdoors to blow drops of liquid watercolors across the paper and the results were totally AMAZING!!! These beautiful trees are by far one of my most favorite projects. I loved that the project was unpredictable, that the colors uniquely blended on their own, and that the process was so very fun to watch. You will have to remind your students to take breaks especially if they felt lightheaded. We had a lot of fun and I know this will become one of your favorites too!!