Got this off another blog, I can't remember where, but I loved it of course, cuz it's so true. Had a rough week a couple of weeks ago and then transitioning from being off to having to go to work and meetings and such, gave me a bad attitude. Then school started Weds. and I got to be creative once again with my students, who I missed over the summer. And, art made everything awesome. I'm in the creative groove again. Brainstorming some ideas about art lessons and projects for M.C. Escher. Anyone have any great ideas out there?

Disruptive Monkey

A monkey came to art class last week and he was really disruptive. He didn't listen and follow directions, he didn't stay in his seat and he didn't share his crayons. He was even playing with the art supplies while I was teaching about a famous artist. He was talking so loud while I was teaching the other kids couldn't hear me. I asked him to stop. But then he just got louder. Finally I told him he had to leave, that disruptive monkeys weren't allowed in art class. He started to cry. He said that he had never been to art class before and that he didn't know the rules. He said he wanted to stay and learn the rules and asked if I would help him. I said he could stay if he learns the rules and follows them so that all my students can enjoy art time. I will be asking my students what the art class rules are, so we can teach the monkey, so he can stay and be artistic with us.

School

Can't believe the summer is almost up. Wow, it seems to just go by so fast. I am looking forward to school and work though. Looking forward to the structure of the day and the kids and art making. Looking forward to fall too. Though I'm certainly not ready, just looking forward.

Cornstarch and Salt Clay

So, during art camp last week, I wanted to do clay one day. I saved it for the last day, so the kids could get creative with it while I displayed last minute art for the artshow at the end of the day. I made cornstarch and salt clay. I tripled the recipe, which made it really hard to manage in the making process. It required heating over the stove and with that much clay it was hard to stir. I would do it again, just not so much. Anyways, the kids made a crayon holder and then whatever kind of animal they wanted. I really liked the whiteness of this clay, and the fact that it air dried.

Happy Birthday Carla

Had a little inspiration from my friend Carla. It was her birthday yesterday and she was so excited about it. Giddy, like a five year old. And because she's crafty, I knew she would enjoy this.

self portraits

We did self portraits at camp last week. The girls drew out their head, shoulders and hair. Next they painted just the skin, hair and shirt.

We set them aside to dry. Then once they were dry, they added features, details and background patterns with oil pastels. We had to go easy on the blush, didn't want to over do it. The nice thing about the pastels, was you could color over if you made a mistake.

Art Camp

And, isn't this adorable. We made collaged foliage figures at art camp

and this was Carley's. I love the hair and the pink skirt. So much fun.