a useful tool

This project was inspired by the fingerprint portraits of Chuck Close. I used owl pictures because it was fun to look up fun facts about owls 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.

whooooo whooooo

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!

fear

"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.

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 10 item list (today's list) "10 creative experiences I would like to try this year".....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 Louise Nevelson like garden gate.

A hard thing to accept is the fact that I do this to myself.

I began to think about a task I do every year with abandoned fear. I garden. 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).

a fresh new start

A blog that I frequent, Hula Seventy mentions that 2010 is like a new box of crayons. I got to thinking... that was such a great analogy! I am like a new 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!

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......