Collaborative Art Classes

Family Collaboration

This was a wonderful opportunity to help this family create a collaborative painting where each person chose and painted a bird to represent themselves (along with one for dad). Not only did they create a beautiful work of art, but they created lasting memories. And what a great exercise in working together as a team. It was a privilege to be a part of this series of classes.

My good friend and student, Zella (5)

"Louie"

"Jack"

 Zella's parents approached me with the idea of helping her create a series of pet portraits to gift to friends, family and colleagues. I create the initial contour sketch of the animal and she takes over from there. She creates the backgrounds using a wide variety of techniques. She decides on colors and media.   And I offer suggestions (and help when it's welcomed) in adding shadows and details. In between these pet portraits, she has time to work on "Zella art". 

We've been collaborating for about a year now and I look forward to more!

Art Birthday Fun!

(My example)

 This past Saturday I had the opportunity to lead 12 5th grade friends in creating some adorable 

sea otter paintings. They were such a Fun group! Happy Birthday Savvy!

Summer Art Fun

 

We created our jellyfish using masking fluid and watercolors

Tempera paint sticks and watercolor with salt

How beautiful and ethereal is this snowy owl?!

Acrylic and Watercolor

Acrylic

Masking fluid, watercolors and paint pens

Amanda Evanston inspired "1,2,3 Elephant"

Clay Cake Box From Cassie Stephen's Book

Chalk pastel and watercolor

Hedwig from Harry Potter

This was a Fun Summer in my art space! Thanks to All my "Marymakers" for spending some creative time with me! Salt and watercolor for the Win! 😁

Abstract Cardboard Masks

Ella, 2nd grade

Raya, kindergarten

 Charlize, 2nd grade

 Kiran, 1st grade

(This shape reminds me of Keith Haring's dogs - Love it!)

 Harper, kindergarten

 Kate, kindergarten

 Thalia, 3rd grade

Katherine, kindergarten

(My kinder girls were very adamant about wanting their masks to be "cute")

Love the blond locks

Mira, 3rd grade

Scott, 5th grade

 Got cardboard? Here's a fun project to utilize any scrap Amazon or pizza boxes. Parents can help younger children cut out the base or face shape of these masks. Since these are abstract, get creative with your shape. Have your children divide their face into sections with a permanent marker and paint with different colors. Facial features can be cut with scissors using thin cardboard using leftover cereal, soda or cracker boxes. Encourage them to be creative with their shapes for eyes, nose, mouth and ears. These can be colored with markers, oil pastels or paint. 

Once their facial features are cut out, they can play around with where they'll be placed on their base. These are abstract, so eyes don't have to be side by side. Have fun! Now they can be glued down using regular school glue. Last, if you have a junk drawer, you can encourage children to embellish their masks with buttons, bits of hardware, soda can tops or anything else you can think to utilize. 

This was a lot of fun for my wide age range groups. Everyone felt successful and it is a great way to teach children that they can create art from a variety of recycled materials.

*Note: For inspiration, check out the work of Kimmy Cantrell and Eric Straw!

  Recycled food and beverage boxes for facial features - easy for the kids to cut out