pasted

student collage compositions

fall trees

Trees

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

Joyce Kilmer, 1886-1918

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.

goodbye and hello

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.

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.

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......

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!!

dog days of summer

I would like to introduce you to some of my favorite friends.

They love to sit around and wag their tails.


They are fat and happy.

If you could throw them a bone or scratch them behind their ears they will
be your trusted friend forever.

picasso dogs

Fun and Picasso go hand in hand or should I say paw in paw.