Mixed Media Bird Collages

 Isabella

 Ethan

 Mia

 Grace

 Sydney

My Wild Animals and Birds group kicked of class with these mixed media collages. These were created in a similar way to these fish collages a few months ago. The base was done with Gelli printing using ferns. The children could add more vines or plants on top, using acrylic paint and brushes.I encouraged the kids to make their own unique tropical habit Parrots were done on black construction paper using oil and chalk pastels. Finally, branches were painted to give their cut birds a place to perch. 

Miss Mary had to join the fun as well

Clay Texture Pendants

Kinder pendants using acrylics on air dry clay

In the above two photos my students used Sharpies and Watercolors on "wet" Model Magic
as it was our last day of class. This seemed to work fine and can now be left to air dry.
*Miss Mary's Asics sneakers were very popular. The kids thought it left "the best pattern" so consequently my shoe was passed around and used by everyone. :)

Plastic texture plates

This would be a fun project to add to your summer list! My kinder girls really enjoyed making these. I had never made textured shoe pendants before and thought I'd give it a try. The girls stepped lightly on small balls of air dry clay and lifted their shoe to see a very cool texture left behind. To create other pendants they pressed their clay onto plastic texture plates. (I found these on Amazon) They made a hole with the backside of their paint brushes. The following week, these were painted with craft acrylics and a coat of glitter Mod Podge, I added some colored twine to make necklaces to give to friends and family.

My summer art class series starts in two weeks. (School lets out next week) This year's themes are Wild Animals and Birds, Mixed Media Art Fun and Art Experiment Lab. I'll be posting student work throughout the next few months. I hope you all have a fun and relaxing summer!

Recycled Cardboard Birds

I was inspired by this post from Krokotak and this from the Crafty Crow. Birds and recycled cardboard?! You have me at my happy place! The children could choose to create their own bird using bird almanac illustrations as inspiration or they could create a basic bird (perfect for my kinders) from a direct line drawing lesson and and add their own little special details. Beyond the acrylic paint, oil and chalk pastels offered, I had all sorts of finishing touches to add character: sequins, buttons, feathers and stick legs. (Miss Mary cut the cardboard with an X-acto knife and used the glue gun for heavy pieces.)
Thanks to the guys at Arnold's Hardware for creating (last minute) dowel bases to showcase these extra large birds. It made all the difference! Birds average between 2-3 feet tall.

I had to join the fun and create a couple birds as well