Colorful Collage Still Lifes

This week my MaryMaking Favorites Class students (K-4th) created these colorful still life collages. You can find my original post (October 2013) for these here. To be fair, I don't know if I would necessarily classify these as a favorite among my students. Not that they complained mind you, but the children tend to favor animal lessons. This was a personal favorite, so I decided to repeat the lesson. It also incorporates a wide variety of media: watercolor, acrylic, oil pastels, chalk pastels, and charcoal. I think they are bold, colorful and perfectly imperfect...everything I Love about children's art.

Snorkeling Self Portraits

The first project in my MaryMaking Favorites classes was Snorkeling Self Portraits which I originally posted back in November 2013. Because this is a collage project with separate board and papers for fish, water, and snorkelers, it was a perfect art project for the 2 hour class. I also like it because it involves a variety of media: watercolor and salt, acrylics, oil pastel and markers. Some children had snorkeling stories of their own to share which made it fun. Artwork by K-4th graders.

Abstract Re-Mix

I just finished my last class of the school year with my Kinder through 1st graders. We had a lot of fun doing abstract name collages, symmetrical tile prints, Suminagashi and Kandinsky inspired circles. Next week I begin my series of summer art classes. Themes include: MaryMaking Favorites (favorite projects from the past school year), Around the World Art Fun and Art Experiment Lab (mad science meets art). I hope you all have a Wonderful summer! Since I live at the beach, the fact that I have no vacation plans probably will win me no sympathy. I will continue to post student art work throughout the summer.

Suminagashi Minis

If you've never tried Suminagashi before, you must! But be warned, it's highly addictive. Suminagashi ("floating ink") is a paper marbling process that originated in Japan in the 12th century. My Abstract Art Fun Class (K-3rd) created mini monoprints using 4X6 photo paper. Each student had a small plastic container of water. With a small brush they floated their Sumi ink on the top of their water. When they were finished laying their colors, they gently swirled the water with the backs of their brushes and then laid their paper on top. Each monoprint is completely unique, like a fingerprint. I chose each child's best 3 and mounted them on black foam core. I've also done this project at my daughter's birthday party and the children created note cards and notepads. And my last Abstract Art Class used their Suminagashi prints in a collage.