silk painting on canvas board

This is one of my all time favorite projects to do with children, silk painting.

It is a medium that absolutely every age group is successful at, all ages are fascinated by the process, and is enjoyed by kids and adults alike.

For the "Creatures Big and Small" camp, I decided to have the kids create a silk painting and then applied it to a canvas board for display.

I tacked each piece of silk onto some old embroidery stretcher boards that I have collected from the needle arts guild where I'm a member.  Every now and then a member will bring in old stretchers they no longer want and I quickly gather them for just this purpose.

4 year old

Each artist created a simple sketch on copy paper. I showed them how to use a window as a lightbox (along with a lightbox that I have in the studio) in order to keep finessing their sketch without having to erase and redraw everything. 

10 year old

When each child was happy with their sketch, they traced it lightly onto the silk with a water-soluble pencil. Then that evening after camp ended, I added the resist over their lines. This is a part I usually let them do, but given the very young age of a couple of the campers, I decided that it might be a bit frustrating for them. Since I literally just trace over the lines they drew on the silk, the integrity of their artwork isn't compromised with me taking charge of this step.

7 year old

The next day, I showed them on a scrap piece of silk some of the interesting things they could do with the dyes and then let them get to work.

6 year old

They had so much fun watching different colors run together and were fascinated as the dyes moved across the silk and then were stopped by the resist.

5 year old

The loved adding water drops and salt to create different effects and even when the silk was completely covered in color, they still wanted to add more just because they didn't want the project to end.

9 year old

When they were finished, I set the dyes and washed out the resist. Then when the silks were dried used matte medium to apply them to the canvas board. Then the next day, I gave each child the opportunity to add black line with a permanent marker since the resist left just white lines. In some cases where the resist just left a big while "hole", (like the eye of the flamingo above), I encouraged the artist to go ahead and draw in an eye and such. Then they signed their works and were done.

5 year old

They were so proud of their finished pieces and it was a joy to watch them get so excited as they watched the dyes move and the salts do their magic right before their eyes. Silk paintings are always one of the hardest projects to watch leave the studio as I so enjoy having them on display but I hope, no I know, the artists will enjoy them for many years to come.

Paul Emsley inspired drawings

One of the artist I introduced to the kids in the "Studying Under the Masters" camp was Paul Emsley. He is known for his large detailed images of people, animals, and flowers. He currently is living in the UK and I discovered him thanks to my sister-in-law, who use to work at Redfern Gallery where he was represented. One Christmas she gave me a book of his work and I have been enthralled with his work every since. I find the kids feel the same way whenever I present his art to them.

Although you might think you have never heard of him before, he was in the news quite a bit when he presented the first official portrait of Kate Middleton to the National Portrait Gallery that he had been commissioned to paint. It was widely controversial at the time.

I had the kids focus on his black and white work and created a charcoal project inspired by his pieces.  Since the cherry blossoms were in magnificent bloom at the time, we used them for reference.

12 year old

This kids started the project by rubbing charcoal all over the paper and rubbing it in with a paper towel. They then lightly sketched in the shapes of their drawing and then using a gummy eraser, took out all the highlights.

8 year old

They then went back in with the charcoal and blocked out all the blacks. At this point, I quickly discussed with them in the importance of the grey scale in work and told them we would now be adding it to their pieces. I handed them some white charcoal and a blender to add to their drawing tools.

8 year old

First they went back over all the areas they erased with the white charcoal and then began blending it in.  Where they wanted the areas whiter, they continued to add/blend in more white.

10 year old

9 year old

Then they went back with the black charcoal and did the same thing creating areas where they wanted a darker grey.

10 year old

7 year old

Each child continued this process of using the white or black charcoal, the eraser and blender until they were happy with their piece.

7 year old

What a wide variety of interpretation they created of the same reference material! I think they are all quite lovely and interesting and I believe the young artists enjoyed the process of learning to work in black and white inspired by the work of Paul Emsley.

air dry clay lions

The second week of Spring Break, I ran two camps out of the studio. In the morning, Studying Under the Masters and in the afternoon, Creatures Big and Small.

The Creatures Big and Small camp was on the whole a very young class, which was so much fun to work with on projects! The first project I introduced to the kids was a clay sculpture. As a group they decided to create lions since we were focusing on African animals that day.

9 year old

I allowed them to create these lions as big as they wanted, but had them start by creating the basic shape out of aluminum foil so it would dry by the end of the week. I went over all the basics with them, how to add a piece of clay by scoring and slipping, how to add texture, how they could use their fingers as tools to create indents where needed, and a few other things.

4 year old

They all truly enjoyed working with the clay. The little ones were thrilled that they were covering the "top secret" core of the sculpture (the foil) with clay so that no one but us would know about it. And if there hands got "too dirty" for them to handle, I had a bucket so they could rinse them off and then keep going.

10 year old

They spent a long time creating these works, even the very young children. Who doesn't like clay?

7 year old

Some of the artists decided to create lions while others created a lioness. I had reference out for both..

5 year old

Once they were finished, they wrote their names on the bottom with a toothpick and put them aside to dry. That was the hardest part of the project, waiting for them to dry. Each day they would come into the studio and make a beeline straight to the clay to check their progress. They loved admiring their works of art and each day asked the same question, "Can we paint them today?"

But by Wednesday an additional panicked remark began to be heard, "Mine's cracking!" Yes. The downside to air dry clay, cracking. It seems no matter what I do to slow down the drying process, there are the dreaded cracks. Thankfully after working with this stuff for many years, I have found some ways to hide the cracks.

When they are completely dry, I add a glue adhesive over the cracks made for clay. Once that is dry, I add a gesso made for clay that I got at the art supply store. It is one of the greatest discoveries I have ever made! You just spray it on and it dries almost instantly. I do two coats and one small can seems to last forever, so worth the small investment to have in the studio while I save up money for a kiln. Once these two things are done, there is virtually no evidence of the cracks.

6 year old

Finally the day to paint arrived on the last day of camp. The kids could not of been happier to see their sculptures on the tables when they arrived for camp with paintbrushes lying next to them. Some of the artist took their time, mixed the perfect shade of brown to add to their works while others just got lost in the process of adding color and watching what happened. No matter how they decided to paint, they each enjoyed working on their sculpture.

5 year old

One of the five year olds is in the weekly Kindergarten class I run on Tuesday afternoons during the school year. I asked him what he liked best about the camp and without hesitation he replied, "the clay".

I'm going to guess some of the others would agree.

Lawren Harris inspired acrylics and skateboarding fun

The last day of the "Hello Vancouver" camp was a lot of fun.

First I needed to create another acrylic painting project because I had one artist who needed to finish her acrylic painting of Vancouver that was started earlier in the week. She had a lovely work started of the Lion's Gate Bridge but the sailboat had become the bane of her existence. I was so proud of her for continuing to work through her frustrations with the piece that I wanted to make sure she didn't feel stressed to finish because she was worried about missing out on a project using something completely different and fun. I knew if she felt the others were creating an acrylic too, she would continue to feel part of the group and be able to relax and work through her current project.

And she did. Isn't her final work lovely?

So while she finished her acrylic inspired by the city of Vancouver, I had the other artist create a second acrylic inspired by an artist from Vancouver - Lawren Harris. And since they had already completed a painting of the landscape of Vancouver, I gave them the choice of picking a work that they really liked that Harris had painted or using some reference material from our city. They created some lovely works of art and did all the color mixing for these paintings by themselves using only primary colors, burnt umber, black and white.

10 year old

8 year old

8 year old

8 year old

They all finished about the same time and we had about 45 minutes left in the day. The night before I had seen a video from a children's art studio in Russia that got me completely excited. I knew the kids in the camp would love recreating the idea and the "Hello Vancouver" camp was the perfect venue.

Vancouver is known for its' outdoor recreational activities. The studio itself is nestled into some of the best mountain biking trails in North America. We have local ski hills that entertain us in the winter with snowshoeing, skiing and snowboarding and in the summertime with trail hiking. You'll find us sailboating in the harbor, biking on the seawall, and a litany of other fun things around and about town.

So to create a final collaborative project based on the city's love of the outdoors seemed perfect, so using a skateboard to stand in for a snowboard, I introduced the last project of the day.

I explained what collaborative artwork meant and that we would be doing an abstract piece together using different mark making materials. I had the kids break into pairs and gave each 'team' a pencil to start.

I rolled out a large piece of paper I had created before camp started and taped it to the floor, then brought out a skateboard. You should of seen their eyes bug out of their heads, what in the world were we doing with a skateboard?! I told them we were going to pretend it was a snowboard and create an abstract work inspired by enjoying our local ski hills.

Each camper chose a spot on the paper to place the skateboard and then laid across the skateboard on their stomach holding a mark making tool in each hand. Their partner held onto their legs and pushed them back and forth across the paper.

The kids could choose from simple drawing pencils, charcoal, pastels and anything else I could think of that would make marks. The kids embraced this project with the enthusiasm I had imagined when I first saw it being done in Russia, they were so excited.

As they were creating the piece, I would have them stop long enough to discuss as a group what they felt the work needed and then whose ever turn it was would work on that need. When finished, I gave each child a pair of scissors to cut a part of the paper to take home. A souvenir to remember the fun week they had shared with new friends, created by all their new friends together as a group. 

Here's a very short clip of some of the fun they had, unfortunately it is not longer because I didn't want their faces identifiable for their own safety on the internet, an almost impossible feat when they were having this much fun. There is no sound for the same reason as they continuously were calling out to each other in all the excitement as to what they should do next.

Needless to say, it was a great end to the week. And although I'm not sure the parents' will understand the importance to that simple cut piece of paper, I know each child left happy to have a small part of this collaborative work to remember the fun they had on the last day of camp.

mixed media silly birds

Wednesday's class is a creative bunch of girls.

I am always amazed at how they will take the project I have presented and then interpret it in their own original way. I decided to tap into the confidence they each have in their own unique visions and create a mixed media project that focused on intuitive drawing.

At the beginning of the project, each girl picked out a sheet of scrap book paper I had already cut in half and a piece of sheet music, which I had also cut in half.

They glued each of these two sheets down well to their mixed media paper.

I told them not to fall in love too much with these papers as much of it would not show at the end.

Then I proceeded to introduce a bit of soft body acrylic paint in white and cream and asked them to paint "crazy" on the paper, trying not to blend the colors completely. (you could do the same thing by watering down basic acrylic paint if you don't have soft body)

A bit of panic set in as some artist began to lose all of their pretty paper, but I showed them how they could damp a paper towel and wipe away some areas so the paper showed through where they wanted.

Then they each chose a bird reference from a large grouping of photographs I had pulled out before class. Again I stressed that we would not be drawing the birds "lifelike".

In fact, I had each girl lightly draw their bird while not looking at their paper and using a continuous line. I promised they would be able to change the bird anyway they wanted afterwards but the goal was to create a bird in their own unique style.

6 year old

They drew their birds with just a regular school pencil and then went over the lines with a fat water-soluble graphite. Then using a bit of water on a paintbrush, went over those lines to begin creating some interesting tones.

Then while the paper was damp, went over the bird again and added details or changed things as they saw fit with a smaller black water-soluble pencil.

6 year old

Once they were happy with their birds, I gave each girl a box of chalk pastels and told them to add color wherever they felt it was needed. Most caught on quickly that a little bit of color went a long way, while others colored the entire page.

8 year old

Once I saw the girls were finishing up with the chalk pastel, I brought out some watercolor pans. Using their fingers dipped in water, they threw in some watercolor wherever they wanted on the paper.

10 year old

And just when they began to say, "I'm done", I brought out the white soft body paint one more time to soften all the color and bring the bird back out as the hero.

8 year old

The white paint over the chalk pastel and water color did some very beautiful things and the girls quickly began to fall in love with their works.  But before they could begin to say, "I think I'm done now", I told them there were a couple of more things they could consider.

8 year old

Like adding some pencil marks or words into the work,

10 year old

using the back of the paintbrush to scratch into the work,

6 year old

or by far the most popular choice, take the black water-soluble pencil, dip it into water, and then splatter the ink onto the paper by tapping the pencil over top of it.

This project was a great way to maintain a high level of excitement since it kept building upon itself. The girls had a great time exploring and discovering how each new medium changed and enhanced their project, When they were unhappy with a mark or decision they had made, they had the opportunity to resolve it by using a new medium or going back to a medium they had already utilized to bring the artwork back to a place where they were once again pleased.

In the end, it's hard to pick a favorite. Each work is quite incredible. I'm quite proud at how each artist embraced the unexpected, even when it could of been heartbreaking in normal circumstances. 

For example in the artwork three pictures up, the paper started tearing from the excess water the artist had used. Under normal circumstances this would of been devastating but because this project required students to let the process lead the way, the torn paper became ruffled feathers and the rips actually enhanced the work!

Due to all the layers in these artworks I find something new that I hadn't noticed before every time I look at them, making me fall in love with these wonderful birds all over again.

wacky pack and Roy Lichtenstein inspired drawings

On Monday night, the studio was filled with giggles.

That's because a week or two before, the students discovered a book on the studio shelf full of Wacky Pack designs.

A sticker collection I was personally obsessed with in elementary school that you collected much the same way as you collect hockey cards. I drove my mother crazy begging for a ride to the local 7-11 every time I had 5-cents in my pocket so I could buy a new pack of stickers to put on my notebook.

Yes, 5-cents.

And that was hard earned money people!

I can still hear my mother's exasperated voice in my head telling me I was wasting my money, but I didn't care. Like every other kid in my class, I wanted to complete the sticker collection proudly displayed on my notebook or be able to trade my doubles for stickers I didn't have.

And they certainly weren't always appropriate by today's standards. As a child of the 70's, my stickers included parodies of beer and cigarettes that I chuckled over while smoking on a candy cigarette.

Ah, good times.

Anyway for those of you who were denied these most amazing creations, here's a look at one of the stickers that not only fascinated me growing up, but also the students in Monday's class when they discovered my book full of every Wacky Pack sticker ever made.

(for my mother)

So how to create an art project inspired by Wacky Packs? Well, introduce Roy Lichtenstein! I thought his pop art style would meld perfectly with the potty humor of Wacky Packs.

I presented several styles of his work, including Sunrise.

As a group we discussed how he used primary color. We talked about Ben-Day dots, man did the kids love saying Ben-Day dots! And we giggled over the comic book art he created. 

I even pulled out some vintage comic books and a magnifying loop so the kids could discover the Ben-Day dots for themselves! 

And then the students all set off to create their own original "Wacky Pack" designs inspired by Lichtenstein's pop art technique.

Potty humor reigned supreme and giggles commenced! Lord, they had fun.

Some students brought packaging from home, where they had discussed and laughed about ideas on parodies with their families. Others used packaging designs I printed out and made available in the studio.

7 year old

Some students decided, "why mess with perfection?" and recreated old Wacky Pack designs.

Each student created their design on Bristol paper and used markers for color. I had a grid for them to use for circles, but many just decided to create their own Ben-Day dots. 

We discussed that the dots worked best where they were trying to create a lighter color and each child understood that concept quickly.

9 year old, parody of Cadbury's Caramilk chocolate bar

It was fun to watch how they all worked as a team to help each other work out their concepts. It was a joy to watch them build each other's confidence up as they laughed at everyone's final ideas.

We had Gagbury's Carmilk bar, made with 50grams of real gasoline! mmmmmmmm

9 year old, parody of Cheerio's

And "Geario's" made with 100% nuts and bolts.

8 year old, parody of 7-Up can

Feel free to wash down those Geario's with some Barf-Up. 100% real barf, not just any barf either, but the real, smelly gross barf! yum.

9 year old, Smarties parody

Or you could enjoy Canada's favorite candy, Farties, with your Barf-Up if you prefer. They're a real gas! Made with real farts and a warning "not to eat too many".

I'm having way too much fun writing this post

Anyway, I'd be lying if I wasn't a little nervous as pick up time got closer. What would their parents think? Would they allow their kids to come back to the studio? 

I mean these aren't exactly the artworks you show off to grandma.

But I was relieved to see the parents jumped right into the fun. One dad was quite excited to frame them up even!

This project was a hit from beginning to end. The kids loved creating silly parodies of every day products. It was the perfect fit for explaining Pop Art. And they loved exploring the techniques Lichtenstein used in his artwork.

Win. Win. Win.

And if I still had my school notebook covered in my beloved Wacky Pack stickers, I would surely trade one of my doubles for any of wonderful works my students created to add to the collection.

acrylic still life paintings using complimentary color

Recently I had both elementary classes explore using complimentary colors as an under painting in their acrylic artworks.

That's a mouthful to write and a challenging task for young children, but I knew they were up to the task.

We looked at a couple of works by Cezanne and discussed his use of black and loose paint strokes. I encouraged them to use this style as inspiration for their own works.

Then using a color wheel before getting started, the kids had fun finding the complimentary partner to each color I called out. Once they got the hang of that,  we focused in on the complimentary colors to the real life compositions that were in front of them.

8 year old

Each child created their own unique compositional study using charcoal before starting with the paints. I then asked each child what they were thinking for background color and what colors they would need to create a full underpainting in the complimentary colors.

6 year old

I am not going to lie, it was an undertaking in itself to get the kids to really comprehend why you would create a full painting underneath that you wouldn't actually see at the end. It was one of those moments that I was grateful for the trust that each child has given me as an instructor because they took a leap of faith with my instructions that the underpainting would indeed add interest and depth to their work.

9 year old

For the Monday class, I created a real life study of apples with a pitcher and for the Wednesday class, a very large bunch of grapes. Once they had their underpainting created, they began working on their final paintings. 

6 year old

8 year old

As you look at these works, keep in mind that each child was only given primary colors with white and black to work with. Everything created here, they mixed themselves. Between the mind workout of painting everything first in the opposite colors and then mixing their own colors, I am more than proud of these students.

8 year old

I love the way the above artist decided to paint in her final grapes using a spiral paint stroke, such a unique way to problem solve painting this many grapes!

10 year old

And the pitcher the two 10 year olds decided to include in their paintings was a very big challenge. It had an interesting decorative painting on it that was difficult for the girls. I think they both found a great way to hint at the pitcher detail.

10 year old

8 year old

10 year old

This group of friends asked if they could make large grapes, which I wholeheartedly agreed they should try. I really want to encourage each child to create their own aesthetic with what is in front of them and loved that they even thought to enlarge the grapes paper.

9 year old

I also had one young boy decide to add a plate and knife to his apple composition. He also added a slate table! The art tables in the studio are far less interesting that this lovely he created.

9 year old

As they finished their paintings, the kids had one more opportunity to use the charcoal to finesse any black line work they wanted.

7 year old

And as they completed the works and saw how interesting the addition of the underpainting made their final pieces, they were believers. Even though it seemed I was off my rocker at the beginning in having them created full paintings in crazy color that they were just going to cover up.

6 year old

It will be interesting to see if any of the kids relook at this technique the next time I introduce an acrylic painting project. Regardless I am so pleased they trusted me and took a leap of faith to try this technique in their work. Although difficult to understand in the beginning when I was describing it, each child, regardless of age, rose to the challenge.

Just like I knew they would.