Halloween Raccoons

 These adorable mixed media raccoons with pumpkins were created by 1st thru 3rd graders

Botanical Gelli Printing with Added Fauna

 

My students and I had fun creating botanical Gelli printed backgrounds and added birds and chameleons.

My Birds and Botanicals Series

 

Coca's Chorus

Glen's Tenor

Tanager's Staccato

Calliope's Gem

Malabar's Concerto

Violet's Allegro

Andean's Emerald

Starling Stargazer

Bunny Marsh

Autumn Trill

Last Curtain Call

Cerulean's Solo

Tuesday Morning Aria

Midnight Passage

Tropic Sonata

Cascade's Waltz

My latest series of work incorporates layers of leaves Gelli printing embellished with paint, pen and sometimes collage. The colors and botanicals chosen evoke a place and mood, from the foggy Pacific Northwest to the colorful rainforest of South America. Detailed winged creatures take center stage through paint or collage. My series is available for purchase in my Etsy shop here:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaryMakingArt

Fall Leaf Art Lessons

Now feels like a great time to revisit a couple of my favorite fall leaf art lessons.

Links below

Watercolor Leaf Experiments

A great lesson for a wide age range, combining science and art

Drawing Leaves with Sticks

A great lesson in observation with the addition of watercolor experimentation

 

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!