Mixed Media Illustrations

I've been working on some illustrations that blend two of my favorite media, painting and cut paper:

Art and Design at Family Learning Program

This spring session of Family Learning Program I've been fortunate to lead three art and design classes serving a whole range of different ages, styles and interests! As summer approaches with a finish to these energy-charged classes, I want to share some highlights from our learning experiences.

Interactive social games remind kids of the basics while strengthening classroom relationships.

Then, we're ready to get serious with some advanced painting studies. Many students would stop nowhere short of the "fancy" color wheel this session. I was continually amazed at their level of focus and dedication.

Even my youngest artists, with support from their parents, were fascinated to study the behavior of paint under various conditions.

 

I've noticed amazing collaborative exchanges among these artist teams.

 

Whether studying watercolor techniques, printmaking methods, or mixed media construction, we agreed that creativity is something important to ourselves, our families and our community. 

 

Mixed media experiments with the older kids included ink drawings on a clear sheet to create sun-print images.

Many of the kids enjoyed drawing and then painting over their drawings. 

 

This basic illustration technique is incredibly versatile.

When classroom dynamics got a little complicated, I brainstormed up a set of worksheets to give students an additional way to interact with complex drawing instructions. It was difficult to put aside fears that worksheets might stifle their creativity, but I forged ahead while encouraging students to honor their own unique ways to draw.

I was relieved and overjoyed to find that the results were as wildly varied as the kids are!

Art Elements

Art Elements, a class at Family Learning Program for artists ages 4-7, is underway with explorations of line, color, shape, and texture through super fun collaborative poster design, weaving, printmaking, collage, painting, and color wheel projects!

Pictured here are color wheel and Kandinsky-inspired painting activities:

The students persevered to meet my challenge and impressed me with their understanding of color juxtaposition!

I can't wait to see what they'll create next.

Garden Art Summer Day Camp 2012!

Experience a whole new kind of Summer Art Camp! Not only will your children return home with beautiful handcrafted clay sculptures, miniature gardens, paintings and collages, they'll always remember spending three days in nature surrounded by trees, songbirds, chickens and flowers.

Our Garden Art Activities Include: Drawing, Painting with Watercolors, Sculpting with Clay, Collage, Sun-print, Wire Garden Ornament Sculpture, and Planting Miniature Gardens.

Get inspired by the colors, textures and sounds of Village Green!

Art and Gardening materials included.
Please pack a lunch and plan for the weather.
Ages 8 - 12
Wednesday - Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Session 1: July 11 - 13
Session 2: July 18 - 20
$250

Where: Village Green Perennial Nursery, 10223 26th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98146
 
Registration: Mail-in, payment by check. 

Registration Form

Fall Fairy Minis & Garden Monsters

Enter an enchanted world of magical monsters and miniature fairy gardens! Your imagination will open possibilities, sculpting garden monsters and tiny furniture with wet clay. One week later, we'll glaze the fired sculptures and assemble a miniature garden with plants and fairy decor. Sculptures can be picked up after the glaze firing, following our second class. 

Small class size; pair up and reserve your spot today!

Who: Parent/Child  teams, ages 5+
When: Two Saturdays, 10:30 am - Noon
Session 1: September 17th & 24th
Session 2: October 15th & 22nd
How: $140 per parent/child team
Where: Village Green Perennial Nursery, 
10223 26th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98146
Call 206-767-7735 to register, or print-and-mail registration form with check.