Jim

Dine

Inspired

Hearts -

Kindergarten

These collages were created with tissue and starch backgrounds and the hearts were done using chalk pastels. They were glued to small pieces of foam core for a 3D effect.

Recycled

Art

Fun

These recycled pieces were created in my summer Recycled Art Fun Camp using foil, hardware, soda pop tops, and magaines. Both the robots and dog collage were inspired by works in The Usborne Complete Book of Art Ideas. I especially love the robot skateboarder!

Mixed-Up Hockney Inspired Portraits

I'm a big fan of David Hockney. I think he hits home the Cubist movement in a new way for the children. Originally I thought I'd introduce my 1st and 2nd graders to him by taking 5 close up shots of their facial features (forehead, left and right eyes, nose and mouth) and asking them to put them together to form a cubist version of themselves. But when I started playing around with the double copies I ordered, I created a compilation of the features of the children in my class - and created a new mutated child. I howled with laughter. What 6-8 year old wouldn't get a kick out of this? So we played a game to mix up the facial features and everyone got 5 different pictures to create their new mixed up kid. They assembled these 2 compilations side by side.
This has been a hugely popular project and one that is often requested.

Aluminum Can Flower Gardens

For my recycled art camp I pre-cut aluminum cans into flower shapes (these are young children). Acrylic paint in a variety of colors was available to paint the flowers. Outside we used tempera to splatter paint our recycled cardboard.

FUN WITH ABSTRACT

I have a rejuvinated excitement about Kandinsky. He created Squares with Concentric Circles 100 years ago this year!! I explained the significance of his work as one of the first abstract artists to my young art students. I explained abstract art began after the camera was invented and could replace the portrait work of many artists. Now art was about things other than the world we observed. The Kandinsky inspired piece is a group work in progress. I asked each child in my Kindergarten and 1st garde class to create 1 square of circles using some colors they love. I can't wait to frame this piece when it is full. The other abstract piece was created by my daughter using different geometric shapes that were traced and painted in a unique composition. I'm loving this one as well!

These fun paintings were created thanks to the lesson from Deep Space Sparkle. I like to do step by step drawing lessons with my younger kids and then let them finish their paintings using their own style and embellishments. This has been a real favorite in my classes. Who can't resist the cuteness of a bulldog face (especially minus the drool)?!

ROYAL BULLDOGS

Owl Collage

These cute owls were created thanks to a great post from That Artist Woman. We used recycled cardboard for the background, brown package paper for the bodies, egg carton eyes, splattered construction paper feathers and finish with 2 real feathers(not shown here) for the wings and a branch to perch on. A fun project for Fall!