String Art

Today, M wanted to try creating a pie of art using string.  I remember doing this in grade 4 and I loved it so much. So we grabbed a piece of fence I salvaged from the neighbour. I spray painted it black...I am all about quick crafts.  We picked u[p some 1"common nails from our  local hardware store. I wanted 3/4". There weren't any. I am not even sure they come in that size.

I found a free pattern at String Art Fun. Awesome website for anything to do with string art.  I printed out the pattern and nailed the sheet onto the board. I started by placing nails in the key places and let M do the rest. It didn't take long...She's 10 and had good coordination skills.

Once all the nails were in she chose green and purple embroidery thread and followed the directions. Voila! Isn't it a beauty!

She loved doing it so much, she decided to create her own design. We found a maple leaf online and printed it. She drew a heart and then just added the nails and embroidery thread. It's called I love Canada.

Organizing Artwork Part 1

Today, I was thinking spring is around the corner which means getting organized. So it had me thinking of all the artwork I have from my child. Not only does she come to my art classes but she creates so much more at home. Since I am in the business of  preserving children's artwork I thought I'd share with you what we do at our house.

I first place them on display. I have Lil Davinci frames. They are art frame cabinets that can hold up to 50 pieces of artwork. I can add new pieces as they come into the house with ease. Each frame has a hinge that allows me to open it up and place a masterpiece without having to take it down and fiddle with the back and then place it back on the wall. Budding Artists is currently the exclusive distributor in Canada.

With all this art, I keep it neatly in a cabinet and rotate the art as my mood dictates. I also use many of them as samples for my art workshops.



What do you do with all of your children's artwork?

Valentine Treats

Every year, I try to find the easiest craft to do with my kids to make Valentine's Day treats for my kids friends. This year I found this heart turn to envelope on Martha Stewart. It's so simple. I didn't have any heart stickers but I did have round stickers which I quickly turned into a heart. On the flip side of the heart, your child could write a message. 

But noooo...my child wanted to make these instead from Funkytime. I printed out the free download and that was the easiest part. She cut  out 23 templates and left the gluing to me. Of course, I am up late trying to get them done. My daughter is going to fill it with cinnamon hearts, cherry sours and little message hearts. Aren't they cute?

Are you helping your child make their Valentine's treats?

The Kiss

"The Kiss" by Gustav Klimt has been voted the top  romantic painting by online art gallery overstockArt.com for the third year in a row. I have to admit its my favourite. The man and woman are are filled with passion and wrapped in a beautiful golden blanket. She's kneeling in a field of flowers.

I think its time to visit Klimt again and do an art project inspired by Klimt project for my next workshop. Perhaps using gold leaf...the possibilities are endless. What are your thoughts?

Valentine's 3D Hearts

Today is a snow day in London, Ontario. If snow is not your thing try these 3D valentines hearts.
A few days ago, I was on How About Orange blog and she had a picture of a wall with  3D hearts. I loved the simplicity. I quickly glanced on how to make them and set off to find some red paper. Instead I found my daughter's heart artwork she created last year. I asked her if we could cut out the hearts to make them into 3D hearts. Here they are...aren't they cute!
As soon as I find more pink paper, I will make larger hearts.

Drawing is Taking a Line for a Walk-Paul Klee

It amazes me how stressed kids get when it comes to an art project. The other day in a grade 5 classroom we were doing one line art drawings. I had one chiId crying because his work did not look like what he wanted. Others did not want to follow the simple rule of lines not drawn on top of another.

Maya, age 9

By the time kids get to the junior years, kids begin to feel that they have natural talent or they don't. Kids equate drawing realistically with being good at art. So many lose interest. This is a shame. We need kids to feel that thinking creatively is valuable. Our world is complex and we will need creative problem solvers to help us in the future.

This is why I like to do more abstract art projects in the junior years. I also emphasize that if they wanted to learn to draw realistically, that they must practice like any other skill they want to learn.

I really like Paul Klee. A Swiss artist who produced many diverse pieces of artwork. I like to show students some examples of artwork with simple lines and how colour is used to enhance a picture. Here is a more detailed biography.

I begin by asking student to draw something simple: flower, trees, house, cars etc.
Then I ask them to practice drawing a one line drawing.
The students trace over it with a sharpie.
Then they use watercolours to finish the paintings.

Art on a Limb Studio

Its with great pleasure I announce that I will be working with Kim Stark, former Principal of Sitting Tree School and Nancy Clarke, Acme Animal. We have decided to join forces and open a creative family arts studio by Westminster Ponds in London, Ontario. After months and months, we finally came up with a name. It is called Art on a Limb Studio.  We will be offering drama, improve, creative writing and visual arts programs. In the Fall 2013, we hope to offer nature programs to nearby schools.
Our website is under construction. You can find out more though my Budding Artists website.  For up to date information, like us on Facebook. In the meantime, I created this video to give you a taste of what we do.