tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39612119307237885972024-03-13T21:34:38.493-07:00arthouse easelshannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-7310160252321683742011-09-29T16:50:00.000-07:002011-09-29T17:03:40.267-07:00pasted<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUjoRvoJAWk/ToUGjx_va5I/AAAAAAAAAUk/uacetJjYz7E/s1600/davidson%2Bphotos%2B130.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 233px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NUjoRvoJAWk/ToUGjx_va5I/AAAAAAAAAUk/uacetJjYz7E/s320/davidson%2Bphotos%2B130.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657935718646770578" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSUsA8VtRVU/ToUGYRIMqoI/AAAAAAAAAUc/B6Oji8dk1P0/s1600/davidson%2Bphotos%2B128.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RSUsA8VtRVU/ToUGYRIMqoI/AAAAAAAAAUc/B6Oji8dk1P0/s320/davidson%2Bphotos%2B128.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657935520845310594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-of5FMxgKvtE/ToUGYPQ00mI/AAAAAAAAAUU/gkVIKd9xVL4/s1600/davidson%2Bphotos%2B125.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 255px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-of5FMxgKvtE/ToUGYPQ00mI/AAAAAAAAAUU/gkVIKd9xVL4/s320/davidson%2Bphotos%2B125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657935520344625762" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4XzmkG77ocE/ToUGX3SSRoI/AAAAAAAAAUM/c0M-rMbYHvE/s1600/davidson%2Bphotos%2B121.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4XzmkG77ocE/ToUGX3SSRoI/AAAAAAAAAUM/c0M-rMbYHvE/s320/davidson%2Bphotos%2B121.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657935513908299394" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHV756ym4k4/ToUGXfJ0z2I/AAAAAAAAAUE/Wf1NZcdIqe8/s1600/davidson%2Bphotos%2B118.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 199px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rHV756ym4k4/ToUGXfJ0z2I/AAAAAAAAAUE/Wf1NZcdIqe8/s320/davidson%2Bphotos%2B118.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657935507430362978" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qng4WFfJPE0/ToUGXKvlE3I/AAAAAAAAAT8/C8PNkw6SljQ/s1600/davidson%2Bphotos%2B117.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 317px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qng4WFfJPE0/ToUGXKvlE3I/AAAAAAAAAT8/C8PNkw6SljQ/s320/davidson%2Bphotos%2B117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657935501951570802" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"> student collage compositions</span><br /></div>shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-86407313668181619382011-09-27T21:35:00.001-07:002011-09-27T22:26:18.548-07:00fall trees<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu3grKL0H1M/ToKkrA-EUtI/AAAAAAAAAT0/UFmM2h1YeSM/s1600/davidson%2Bphotos%2B071.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xu3grKL0H1M/ToKkrA-EUtI/AAAAAAAAAT0/UFmM2h1YeSM/s320/davidson%2Bphotos%2B071.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657265140832424658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0nj98hKrkI/ToKkq5w4_MI/AAAAAAAAATs/do1GvpgOc9U/s1600/davidson%2Bphotos%2B070.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g0nj98hKrkI/ToKkq5w4_MI/AAAAAAAAATs/do1GvpgOc9U/s320/davidson%2Bphotos%2B070.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657265138898107586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEDkvigHlUA/ToKkq4zPaOI/AAAAAAAAATk/RdcFJokCLn8/s1600/davidson%2Bphotos%2B069.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nEDkvigHlUA/ToKkq4zPaOI/AAAAAAAAATk/RdcFJokCLn8/s320/davidson%2Bphotos%2B069.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657265138639530210" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzzeCtjoRes/ToKkqj3xssI/AAAAAAAAATc/O-zY5p3_HR0/s1600/davidson%2Bphotos%2B068.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qzzeCtjoRes/ToKkqj3xssI/AAAAAAAAATc/O-zY5p3_HR0/s320/davidson%2Bphotos%2B068.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657265133021409986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUHThrKY5Ns/ToKkRitZzeI/AAAAAAAAATU/lmVcTmMIZ30/s1600/davidson%2Bphotos%2B067.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eUHThrKY5Ns/ToKkRitZzeI/AAAAAAAAATU/lmVcTmMIZ30/s320/davidson%2Bphotos%2B067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657264703212735970" border="0" /></a><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Trees</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">I think that I shall never see</span><a name="1"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" > </span></a><span style=""></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">A poem lovely as a tree.</span><a name="2"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" > </span></a><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" ></span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">A tree whose hungry mouth is prest</span><a name="3"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" > </span></a><span style=""></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;</span><a name="4"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" > </span></a><span style=""></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">A tree that looks at God all day, </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">And lifts her leafy arms to pray;</span><a name="6"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" > </span></a><span style=""></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">A tree that may in summer wear</span><a name="7"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" > </span></a><span style=""></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">A nest of robins in her hair;</span><a name="8"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" > </span></a><span style=""></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Upon whose bosom snow has lain;</span><a name="9"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" > </span></a><span style=""></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Who intimately lives with rain.</span><i><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" ></span></i></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Poems are made by fools like me,</span><a name="11"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" > </span></a><span style=""></span><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">But only God can make a tree.</span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Joyce Kilmer, 1886-1918</span></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Georgia;">Fall trees are a great way to bring a fall day inside. Collect different leaves from different types of trees so that the kids can touch and inspect up close. Use torn brown construction paper to form strong trees and branches on a large white piece of construction paper, glue down with a glue stick and accent with thin yellow torn pieces. Give kids a few pieces of tissue paper about 5x6 and let the kids tear small leaf like shapes but not too small. Using a small brush with a small amount of glue on a plate or in a little dish, show your students how to brush a little on the paper where they want to place the leaves and gently place the thin tissue paper on the glue, avoid pressing to hard because the tissue will want to stick to their fingers and not the paper. Remember....some leaves have already fallen. </span></p> <br /><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><br /><a name="3"><span style=";font-family:Georgia;font-size:7.5pt;" ></span></a><span style="font-family:Georgia;"> </span><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]-->shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-10997367555773837012011-01-04T15:17:00.000-08:002011-01-04T21:18:20.988-08:00goodbye and hello<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.northescambia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/sunflower12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 534px; height: 331px;" src="http://www.northescambia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/sunflower12.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />Who knew that dropping off the edge of the earth could be so easy, it was the staying afloat that was hard, for me 2010 was a year of dizziness, nausea, ointment and band-aids. I'd have to say it is not a place to revisit often but rather a thing to pack up in a small box and take out years from now when all you can remember is the good things. I really had no problem saying......goodbye.<br /><br />I feel with certainty that 2011 will be a year of mending and transformation. I am not looking for a clean slate but a new beginning......hello.shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-13137133502384185522010-04-20T16:31:00.000-07:002011-01-04T15:45:01.372-08:00a useful tool<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S847IePDkdI/AAAAAAAAAR4/6WKVExPzL04/s1600/sledding-owls+013.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 252px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S847IePDkdI/AAAAAAAAAR4/6WKVExPzL04/s320/sledding-owls+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462368414788194770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S847HyeWnNI/AAAAAAAAARw/gno6QjNJ60E/s1600/sledding-owls+010.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 254px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S847HyeWnNI/AAAAAAAAARw/gno6QjNJ60E/s320/sledding-owls+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462368403041197266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S847G9MjapI/AAAAAAAAARg/NALzyJjUtSU/s1600/sledding-owls+003.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S847G9MjapI/AAAAAAAAARg/NALzyJjUtSU/s320/sledding-owls+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462368388739459730" border="0" /></a><br />This project was inspired by the fingerprint portraits of <a href="http://www.chuckclose.coe.uh.edu/life/gallery.html">Chuck Close</a>. I used owl pictures because it was fun to look up <a href="http://owl-facts.com/">fun facts about owls</a> to share with my students as they were working on the project. I recommend using a washable ink pad for ease of clean-up. After the first class, I had to ask the students to limit finger usage because before I knew it all five fingers were invited to the party, then of course the whole hand was completely covered in ink in a blink of an eye (and you know the face comes next). This is a great exercise in getting students to look at the lights and the darks of the photo.shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-65735441996842140782010-01-19T17:00:00.000-08:002010-02-24T20:54:37.599-08:00whooooo whooooo<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAx6j69yI/AAAAAAAAARI/NKc0eSJcDuc/s1600-h/169.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAx6j69yI/AAAAAAAAARI/NKc0eSJcDuc/s320/169.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442038057257334562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAmGUen5I/AAAAAAAAARA/YYsqbZWSuDs/s1600-h/168.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAmGUen5I/AAAAAAAAARA/YYsqbZWSuDs/s320/168.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442037854255357842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAlHDHo0I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/mDyqeMBCfxE/s1600-h/167.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAlHDHo0I/AAAAAAAAAQ4/mDyqeMBCfxE/s320/167.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442037837271114562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAkZB6etI/AAAAAAAAAQw/a_b8WBfyoA4/s1600-h/166.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAkZB6etI/AAAAAAAAAQw/a_b8WBfyoA4/s320/166.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442037824918026962" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAjkMBIOI/AAAAAAAAAQo/9T4puwgcN5w/s1600-h/165.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAjkMBIOI/AAAAAAAAAQo/9T4puwgcN5w/s320/165.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442037810733326562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAi1Sx62I/AAAAAAAAAQg/57wrRrZQIGM/s1600-h/164.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 258px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/S4YAi1Sx62I/AAAAAAAAAQg/57wrRrZQIGM/s320/164.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442037798145223522" border="0" /></a>Straight from the cute forest. First graders loved drawing this owl together adding their own touches of character to their owls. We used pastels and watercolors to add a splashes of color. Big Heads, little bodies, and enormous eyes are just a part of their artistic expression at this age, I just simply love them, oh so charming!shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-76170227219647028482010-01-08T18:21:00.000-08:002011-01-04T21:14:37.907-08:00fear<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.designboom.com/contest/files/copy_15_door.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 490px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.designboom.com/contest/files/copy_15_door.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />"Fear" is just a four letter word yet it can paralyze you dead in your tracks. Last September, I had gone in search for my creative spirit as if it was something lost, and what I found was that I paralyze myself whenever I start a new project. As in this blog. As in an art business. As in doing what I love most.....making art.<br /><br />For the past few months, I immersed myself in a several creative books, took a trip or two to the museum, started a new sketchbook, and spent countless hours of visiting many creative blogs and websites. I started a habit of writing a daily <span style="color: rgb(204, 0, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">10 item list</span></span> (today's list) <span style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">"10 creative experiences I would like to try this year"</span>.....1. make a handmade book-2. write and illustrate a short graphic story-3. lino-cut printing-4. hand built small ceramic pieces-5. paint a mural in my home-6. screen printing-7. create a website-8. sew a large modern quilt for my bed-9. knit a vest-10. make a <a href="http://www.studio-international.co.uk/sculpture/nevelson.asp">Louise Nevelson</a> like garden gate.<br /><br />A hard thing to accept is the fact that I do this to myself.<br /><br />I began to think about a task I do every year with abandoned fear. <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);font-size:130%;" >I garden</span>. I have marginal success and yet I get so excited every spring. I read and reread my garden books and magazines. I browse through catalogs. I watch landscaping shows. I sketch and plan the plants I would love to add to my small, garden space. I buy new plants, I water and browse my garden almost on a daily basis, I am hopeful. I look for new growth and I am excited for small signs of success. I envision a garden that is lush and somewhat overgrown where plants mix and mingle. I look at my garden through rose-colored glasses. I am patient. I am content. I have no fear and no inhibitions, so why can't I apply this philosophy to the thing I love the most? Why am I so fearful of failing or not finishing something I haven't even started? So here it is, a proclamation, "I am acknowledging you FEAR and I am telling you to go away because you are no longer welcome here, you need to go feed on someone else for I am no longer your tasty morsel!" (sound of door slamming).shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-24289455689620958642010-01-06T08:57:00.000-08:002010-01-06T09:44:03.832-08:00a fresh new start<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://deadtank.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/crayons.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 357px; height: 445px;" src="http://deadtank.files.wordpress.com/2007/10/crayons.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />A blog that I frequent, <a href="http://hulaseventy.blogspot.com/">Hula Seventy</a> mentions that 2010 is like a new box of crayons. I got to thinking... that was such a great analogy! I am like a <span style="font-weight: bold;">new</span> box of crayons and 2010 holds new possibilities for new pictures and new projects. I love the idea of being a fresh box of new colors. I have always loved opening a new box, touching the tips of new colors, the smell, and that bit of hesitation when you use that first crayon. I am excited for 2010!shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-71965458411891059132009-10-11T19:00:00.000-07:002009-10-19T08:25:40.320-07:00lovely trees<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_oZOA5bI/AAAAAAAAAQA/DToeZhjC5Fo/s1600-h/summer+art+015.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 190px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_oZOA5bI/AAAAAAAAAQA/DToeZhjC5Fo/s200/summer+art+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392286092043019698" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_RBuN3HI/AAAAAAAAAP4/lkArT-UGO1M/s1600-h/summer+art+013.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 124px; height: 188px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_RBuN3HI/AAAAAAAAAP4/lkArT-UGO1M/s200/summer+art+013.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392285690598644850" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_QkejuMI/AAAAAAAAAPw/0_qgHKJOPF8/s1600-h/summer+art+012.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 186px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_QkejuMI/AAAAAAAAAPw/0_qgHKJOPF8/s200/summer+art+012.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392285682748340418" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_QFOz-4I/AAAAAAAAAPo/rnsGeJjlBIk/s1600-h/summer+art+011.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 169px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_QFOz-4I/AAAAAAAAAPo/rnsGeJjlBIk/s200/summer+art+011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392285674360798082" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_PCrI38I/AAAAAAAAAPg/5ijDFBqUYuE/s1600-h/summer+art+010.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 126px; height: 168px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_PCrI38I/AAAAAAAAAPg/5ijDFBqUYuE/s200/summer+art+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392285656494432194" border="0" /></a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_OmTZOcI/AAAAAAAAAPY/Biueqmk-eho/s1600-h/summer+art+009.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 125px; height: 167px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/StU_OmTZOcI/AAAAAAAAAPY/Biueqmk-eho/s200/summer+art+009.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5392285648878647746" border="0" /></a><br /><br />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.<br /><br />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 <a href="http://www.groupofsevenart.com/history.html">"Group of Seven"</a> could admire.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-15081883033598977812009-09-08T17:08:00.000-07:002009-09-10T10:59:23.646-07:00some like it hot<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sqb19bMYzYI/AAAAAAAAAOg/qsClkmx5RrY/s1600-h/summer+art+008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sqb19bMYzYI/AAAAAAAAAOg/qsClkmx5RrY/s320/summer+art+008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379257240561175938" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sqb18kxi9KI/AAAAAAAAAOY/NC42P-SIAyg/s1600-h/summer+art+006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 234px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sqb18kxi9KI/AAAAAAAAAOY/NC42P-SIAyg/s320/summer+art+006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379257225953080482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sqb18IQamTI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/sAfiPnkJrgE/s1600-h/summer+art+004.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sqb18IQamTI/AAAAAAAAAOQ/sAfiPnkJrgE/s320/summer+art+004.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379257218297927986" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sqb17loXMII/AAAAAAAAAOI/rim6BBrfXho/s1600-h/summer+art+001.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sqb17loXMII/AAAAAAAAAOI/rim6BBrfXho/s320/summer+art+001.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5379257209003126914" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">pastels, black construction paper, small circle stencil<br /><br /></span></div>I had first seen this project on the <a href="http://oodlesofart.blogspot.com">oodlesofart.blogspot.com</a> 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.shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-60926146758753449962009-08-18T19:33:00.000-07:002009-08-18T21:22:53.097-07:00as slow as a ......<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sot52vdl-aI/AAAAAAAAANg/of-rbhg6WS4/s1600-h/matisse+snail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 318px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sot52vdl-aI/AAAAAAAAANg/of-rbhg6WS4/s320/matisse+snail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5371520961929935266" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">The Snail, <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">1953-Henri </span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Matisse</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Though the summer has passed rather quickly,<br />my thoughts and actions have slowed to a snails pace.<br />I find myself at a loss of creativity.<br /><br />Could it be the heat?<br />Do I need to eat more veggies?<br />Maybe I need to take an art class so I could play?<br />Do I need to exercise more?<br />Do I need some kind of therapy?<br /><br />Questions I ask myself daily.<br /><br />Perhaps the idea of summer winding down has me somewhat melancholy.<br /><br />I do hope I find my creativity soon,<br />no stone unturned,<br />I am going on a quest......</div>shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-2557960820679695392009-07-29T13:00:00.000-07:002009-07-29T13:40:08.566-07:00so yummy i could eat them<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SnCzbFLXaII/AAAAAAAAANY/Uf5NuRydZqM/s1600-h/san+francisco+002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SnCzbFLXaII/AAAAAAAAANY/Uf5NuRydZqM/s320/san+francisco+002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363984434025949314" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The curvaceous shapes of sweet red pepper<br />inspired student's hands to roll, snake and coil<br />these wonderful pepper sculptures.<br /><br />Snake upon snake and coil upon coil,<br />the shapely rolling curves of the pepper<br />reveals itself under the gentle slump of clay.<br /><br />Its sweetness lies<br />in its status<br />as it sits proudly upon the kitchen window ledge.<br /></div>shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-12567524083615468822009-07-23T16:32:00.000-07:002009-07-23T16:50:13.921-07:00we left our hearts in san francisco<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Smjz3jErnGI/AAAAAAAAAMo/QmAaqpsYJZY/s1600-h/nina+015.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Smjz3jErnGI/AAAAAAAAAMo/QmAaqpsYJZY/s320/nina+015.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361803492017806434" border="0" /></a>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!shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-33508164839074967772009-07-08T20:44:00.000-07:002009-07-08T21:44:18.889-07:00how much is that doggie in the window?<div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SlVoYVAgZQI/AAAAAAAAAMg/jfsgevfTeqE/s1600-h/art+050.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 207px; height: 154px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SlVoYVAgZQI/AAAAAAAAAMg/jfsgevfTeqE/s200/art+050.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356302098992489730" border="0" /></a>These are about<br />the cutest pups<br /></div>in town.<br />Full of energy, loyal,<br />and they would love<br />nothing more<br />than to lick your face.<br /><br /><br />I think it would be really fun<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SlVoX6aO0HI/AAAAAAAAAMY/kG_fFJDYqHc/s1600-h/art+047.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 206px; height: 154px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SlVoX6aO0HI/AAAAAAAAAMY/kG_fFJDYqHc/s200/art+047.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356302091852632178" border="0" /></a><br />to have a dog<br />who doesn't leave presents<br />in the backyard<br />(especially the smelly kind),<br />who looks happy all the time,<br />who is quiet,<br />who will stay when you ask it to,<br />who doesn't require to be fed<br />twice a day,<br />and makes you smile<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SlVoXiFBbxI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/XHOJGNwCqQE/s1600-h/art+051.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 204px; height: 172px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SlVoXiFBbxI/AAAAAAAAAMQ/XHOJGNwCqQE/s200/art+051.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356302085321223954" border="0" /></a><br />every time you look at him.<br /><br /><br />Could they be...<br />a little like their owners?<br /><br />Serious and Smart.<br /><br />Fun and Playful.<br /><br />Loyal and Gentle.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SlVoXOlbm_I/AAAAAAAAAMI/T7gTTuLbek4/s1600-h/art+046.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 202px; height: 151px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SlVoXOlbm_I/AAAAAAAAAMI/T7gTTuLbek4/s200/art+046.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356302080088447986" border="0" /></a><br />Thoughtful and Inquisitive.<br /><br />I think so.<br /><br />They are priceless!shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-88243050931843680522009-06-28T21:19:00.000-07:002009-06-28T22:09:25.381-07:00nature's best<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkhBt_06OsI/AAAAAAAAAMA/DLvr3X5NiwY/s1600-h/014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 293px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkhBt_06OsI/AAAAAAAAAMA/DLvr3X5NiwY/s400/014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352600415613106882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkhBtvOje1I/AAAAAAAAAL4/yVFrJT3B868/s1600-h/011.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 296px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkhBtvOje1I/AAAAAAAAAL4/yVFrJT3B868/s400/011.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352600411157265234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkhBtLQexXI/AAAAAAAAALw/3uqMc5_qP8A/s1600-h/006.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 301px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkhBtLQexXI/AAAAAAAAALw/3uqMc5_qP8A/s400/006.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352600401501668722" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkhBs83W9FI/AAAAAAAAALo/VOR9PKZzuz4/s1600-h/003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 298px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkhBs83W9FI/AAAAAAAAALo/VOR9PKZzuz4/s400/003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5352600397638202450" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">liquid watercolors, straws, large watercolor paper<br /></div><br />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!!shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-14583070058022100272009-06-24T07:43:00.000-07:002009-06-25T15:54:27.483-07:00dog days of summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkI_HepkhsI/AAAAAAAAALg/Rx8-fruZXQ0/s1600-h/art+024.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkI_HepkhsI/AAAAAAAAALg/Rx8-fruZXQ0/s200/art+024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350908704988628674" border="0" /></a> I would like to introduce you to some of my favorite friends.<br /><br />They love to sit around <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkI_HJUMt5I/AAAAAAAAALY/vWfsgkZDucU/s1600-h/art+022.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 138px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkI_HJUMt5I/AAAAAAAAALY/vWfsgkZDucU/s200/art+022.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350908699261843346" border="0" /></a> and wag their tails.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkI_G6vUn-I/AAAAAAAAALQ/m4IgV1Oa2jE/s1600-h/art+020.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkI_G6vUn-I/AAAAAAAAALQ/m4IgV1Oa2jE/s200/art+020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350908695349075938" border="0" /></a> They are fat and happy.<br /><br />If you could throw them a bone or scratch them behind their ears they will<br />be your trusted friend forever.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkI_Gi-l9BI/AAAAAAAAALI/WyoY1GeSrYU/s1600-h/art+017.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 146px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkI_Gi-l9BI/AAAAAAAAALI/WyoY1GeSrYU/s200/art+017.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350908688970675218" border="0" /></a>shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-23522801736860292382009-06-23T21:01:00.000-07:002009-06-23T21:49:05.933-07:00picasso dogs<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkGttyolKoI/AAAAAAAAALA/TlPgxRqgkx4/s1600-h/art+028.JPG"> <img style="cursor: pointer; width: 119px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkGttyolKoI/AAAAAAAAALA/TlPgxRqgkx4/s200/art+028.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350748834490559106" border="0" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkGtQ9Vl06I/AAAAAAAAAKw/sUhgcQ41uYY/s1600-h/art+027.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 200px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkGtQ9Vl06I/AAAAAAAAAKw/sUhgcQ41uYY/s200/art+027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350748339147494306" border="0" /> </a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkGtQ9Vl06I/AAAAAAAAAKw/sUhgcQ41uYY/s1600-h/art+027.JPG"> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkGtQMGymtI/AAAAAAAAAKg/UMi2ORSaw0U/s1600-h/art+025.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 120px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkGtQMGymtI/AAAAAAAAAKg/UMi2ORSaw0U/s200/art+025.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350748325932079826" border="0" /> </a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkGtQTdlV7I/AAAAAAAAAKo/-sTAlmmhX_I/s1600-h/art+026.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 121px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkGtQTdlV7I/AAAAAAAAAKo/-sTAlmmhX_I/s200/art+026.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350748327906727858" border="0" /></a><br /></div><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Fun and Picasso go hand in hand or should I say paw in paw.<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkGtQ9Vl06I/AAAAAAAAAKw/sUhgcQ41uYY/s1600-h/art+027.JPG"></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SkGsHfz6W1I/AAAAAAAAAKY/rwJr31UvlD4/s1600-h/art+028.JPG"><br /></a></div>shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-15312405432729469422009-06-22T10:48:00.000-07:002009-06-22T11:04:55.979-07:00if they could jump off the canvas...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sj_Eb1EIgwI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/NuM84CP1d4w/s1600-h/art+kids+107.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sj_Eb1EIgwI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/NuM84CP1d4w/s320/art+kids+107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350210864719364866" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sj_EbQJllgI/AAAAAAAAAJw/iVz4au0q9jg/s1600-h/art+kids+103.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sj_EbQJllgI/AAAAAAAAAJw/iVz4au0q9jg/s320/art+kids+103.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350210854810129922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sj_EbCXiYmI/AAAAAAAAAJo/0Htf_wgXPXc/s1600-h/art+kids+105.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sj_EbCXiYmI/AAAAAAAAAJo/0Htf_wgXPXc/s320/art+kids+105.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350210851110543970" border="0" /></a><br />These fun little creatures would tickle your funny bone if they could jump off the canvas. Their cuteness undeniable. Made on a background of canvas and paint each creature was cut and sewn by machine. A story was created with each detail added to the canvas. Buttons and sharpies were used to make these one of kind masterpieces that may hang on a wall or transform into a pillow. If you happen upon one these fun-loving creatures be sure to introduce yourself for they love to meet new people.shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-67923658268096365492009-06-20T20:46:00.001-07:002009-06-20T21:29:28.342-07:00wild friends<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sj2tuNfBT8I/AAAAAAAAAJg/5ny-gwG2PnM/s1600-h/art+kids+100.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 257px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sj2tuNfBT8I/AAAAAAAAAJg/5ny-gwG2PnM/s320/art+kids+100.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5349622941791375298" border="0" /></a><br />Each creature was made with love and care by small hands and big imaginations. These wild creatures met on the table were they got to know each other. After becoming friends they decided to keep in touch after they set out on their different adventures.shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-40510367518704221762009-06-18T21:57:00.000-07:002009-06-19T07:31:30.286-07:00come fly with me<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SjsbgtYmRKI/AAAAAAAAAJY/88FZtdcgDis/s1600-h/art+kids+114.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SjsbgtYmRKI/AAAAAAAAAJY/88FZtdcgDis/s320/art+kids+114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348899231185126562" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sjsbf9z0AcI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/TBWTk1hdHaM/s1600-h/art+kids+111.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sjsbf9z0AcI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/TBWTk1hdHaM/s320/art+kids+111.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348899218414371266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SjsbeSXAmUI/AAAAAAAAAJI/q3qVAIrQb14/s1600-h/art+kids+109.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 219px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SjsbeSXAmUI/AAAAAAAAAJI/q3qVAIrQb14/s320/art+kids+109.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348899189570967874" border="0" /></a><br />These lovely dragons will carry you away to a mystical place, where magic happens. We used tempera paint to create a flying dragon. Have the students create a body first, then add the legs, tail, and head, it is best to <span style="font-weight: bold;">not</span> sketch the dragon first. After the paint is dry the kids can draw in the details with a black sharpie. The background was painted by using liquid watercolors and salt, while the watercolors were wet we created a one of a kind texture by pinching and sprinkling salt over the wet areas before they dry. Hold on tight and enjoy the ride!shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-59358239241039335542009-06-17T15:26:00.000-07:002009-06-17T15:36:49.459-07:00take a walk on the wild side<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sjlt1r7JH1I/AAAAAAAAAJA/dGMxGr4a1QU/s1600-h/kidsart+027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sjlt1r7JH1I/AAAAAAAAAJA/dGMxGr4a1QU/s320/kidsart+027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348426801570455378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sjlt1Xj3Y8I/AAAAAAAAAI4/pUAy4LueySg/s1600-h/kidsart+024.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sjlt1Xj3Y8I/AAAAAAAAAI4/pUAy4LueySg/s320/kidsart+024.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348426796104115138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sjlt1CvoJfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/zJw8uDBntPc/s1600-h/kidsart+020.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 221px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sjlt1CvoJfI/AAAAAAAAAIw/zJw8uDBntPc/s320/kidsart+020.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348426790516303346" border="0" /></a><br />Nothing but watercolor paper, a sharpie, liquid watercolors, and a big imagination could create something so WILD! These wild beasts decked out in their fancy doodles and textures will gobble you up if you should meet on a hot summer's day, so BEWARE!!!!!!!!shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-80257709864774938042009-06-16T17:03:00.000-07:002009-06-16T17:56:15.974-07:00mythological beauty<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sjgy4Z3mhaI/AAAAAAAAAIo/TX5jt1XYkvg/s1600-h/kidsart+016.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Sjgy4Z3mhaI/AAAAAAAAAIo/TX5jt1XYkvg/s320/kidsart+016.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348080502100624802" border="0" /></a>She, she, & she walks her dogs down the street,<br />she, she, & she is so lovely to meet,<br />long, shapely legs of quartz-like stone,<br />two arms to hold you tight when you are all alone,<br />all her eyes are warm and cheerful,<br />but if you find yourself just a little too close,<br />I would be, just a little fearful.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">magazines, scissors, glue stick, watercolor paper,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">sharpies, liquid watercolors, images of bearden's work,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">mythological creature facts (cerebus, medusa, scylla, echidna)</span><br /><br /></div>First project for "wild creatures" art class. We looked at the book by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mythological-Monsters-Ancient-Greece-Fanelli/dp/0763619078/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1245198759&sr=8-2">Sara Fanelli, <span style="font-style: italic;">Mythological Monsters</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">of Ancient Greece</span></a>, (a great kid collage book) and images of Romare Bearden's collages. His work was our inspiration to create a one of a kind collage monster. Have the kids cut out heads and give them permission to draw fangs, horns, fire breath or mustaches on their faces (something they never get to do). Catalogs are great for finding arms, legs, and bodies. Mixing it up is so much fun, wheels for feet, shoes for horns, or a washing machine for a body, <span style="font-weight: bold;">oh the possibilities!</span> Bodies can have many legs or arms, spikes, scales, or even wings. I encourage a story to happen in the background, "does their monster live in the sky or on a mountain, does it fly, does it live underground and eat worms, does it live in the ocean.......the stories are endless." The kids are in a constant state of chatter during this entire project so I think, most of the fun will be when the students share their monsters with others and the tales they will weave. Let their imaginations go wild!shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-30089329866457075802009-06-11T17:58:00.000-07:002009-06-16T15:39:48.873-07:00anxious hands<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SjgeIHBvyPI/AAAAAAAAAIg/T24i9mDotYk/s1600-h/kidsart+014.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 226px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SjgeIHBvyPI/AAAAAAAAAIg/T24i9mDotYk/s320/kidsart+014.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5348057682176624882" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">We sit and wait<br />wishing for the best today,<br />all our hard work<br />behind, one little door,<br />tapping fingers<br />pass the time (6 hours to be exact),<br />when it is simple,<br />is our clay....<br />okay?<br /><br /><br />oh yes success!<br /></div>shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-50856180983009953112009-06-09T11:19:00.001-07:002009-06-09T11:33:25.750-07:00steady hands<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Si6o9ge6nbI/AAAAAAAAAIY/pLcoJadT-_8/s1600-h/ceramic+003.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/Si6o9ge6nbI/AAAAAAAAAIY/pLcoJadT-_8/s320/ceramic+003.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345395582380449202" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Fired once<br />the clay is slightly gray<br />chalky to touch<br />it's coolness gone away,<br />using tiny brushes<br />we set out to paint<br />our sweet, little treasures<br />we are hopeful today.<br /></div>shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-82850359863763615202009-06-07T21:48:00.000-07:002009-06-09T11:18:39.512-07:00playful hands<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SiyaaZC5VwI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/M8Y8i-2M9II/s1600-h/photos+010.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SiyaaZC5VwI/AAAAAAAAAIQ/M8Y8i-2M9II/s320/photos+010.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344816635972245250" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Using our hands<br />we began to play,<br />pieces of pvc,<br />biscuit cutters,<br />stamps, wonderful, moist clay<br />we can roll, snake, or shape,<br />the possibilities endless<br />our minds racing away,<br />we are kiln size limited,<br />not too big, i say.<br /></div>shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3961211930723788597.post-55198663647617048702009-06-04T21:27:00.000-07:002009-06-06T09:51:35.408-07:00georgia's flowers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SiimeMITrBI/AAAAAAAAAH4/thN3xNBRnVM/s1600-h/Spring+2009+085.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 160px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SiimeMITrBI/AAAAAAAAAH4/thN3xNBRnVM/s320/Spring+2009+085.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343703995457448978" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SiimdqVTZfI/AAAAAAAAAHo/W06tpQMeNkw/s1600-h/Spring+2009+061.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SiimdqVTZfI/AAAAAAAAAHo/W06tpQMeNkw/s320/Spring+2009+061.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343703986385151474" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SiimdGazJ-I/AAAAAAAAAHY/klWZH-hsySI/s1600-h/Spring+2009+053.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 160px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SiimdGazJ-I/AAAAAAAAAHY/klWZH-hsySI/s320/Spring+2009+053.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343703976744527842" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SiimdWnCFKI/AAAAAAAAAHg/tJvj5MLPIMU/s1600-h/Spring+2009+056.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 250px; height: 160px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/__F0OQhfp5PA/SiimdWnCFKI/AAAAAAAAAHg/tJvj5MLPIMU/s320/Spring+2009+056.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343703981090804898" border="0" /></a><span style="color: rgb(153, 51, 153);">watercolor paper, pencils, fabric sunflowers, watercolors,<br />paint brushes, small cups for water,<br />images of georgia o'keeffe's work</span><br /></div><br />Using store bought fabric sunflowers, we viewed, sketched, and painted the flowers in an O'Keeffe way. Georgia O'Keeffe had an eye for beauty and detail. She would love to sketch and observe all things around her. Each large painting she painted was so cherished by her that it was hard for her to see them go, they were like family. O'Keeffe, an American <span style="font-weight: bold;">woman</span> artist at a time when the field was dominated by male counterparts and European art, she began to break down stifling boundaries by showing and selling her work in galleries, she was in high demand. She also helped define an American Style of art which was beginning to move into abstraction, this gave her an important and influential voice in the art world. <span style="font-weight: bold;">She is so amazing!</span><br /><br />The kids love the idea of holding their own flowers to observe closely. A little lesson on how to sketch followed handing out the flowers. Real flowers are absolutely wonderful and so beautiful but can be costly too, fabric flowers are a great source of inspiration and can be used repeatedly when sketching, and in still life vignettes. One of the first things to stress is the idea of sketching really <span style="font-weight: bold;">BIG</span> in an O'Keeffe manner where the flower begins to look less like a flower. Encourage drawing off the paper, oh my, how uncomfortable they will be. If you find some of the students feeling stuck on how to sketch the flower ask them to look for the shapes, starting with the large center shape and moving out to the petals, they can even break up the shapes further by looking at the gradations of colors in the flower. Painting will be the fun part of this project because they get to decide what color their flower will be. They do not have to follow the colors they see in the flower, in fact about this time is when I collect the flowers and pencils. If using palette watercolors this is a great time to explain how to use the lid of the palette as a place to mix colors (very fun!). I also do a little brush demonstration on how to sweep across the page rather that scrub the sink, this will help with the longevity of the brushes. Have them paint with their feelings, their colors will be exciting and unexpected. When finished, you will want a whole bouquet of these flowers!shannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13633263802228528425noreply@blogger.com0