What is Haitian Metal Art? Haitian metal art is recognized worldwide as a creative, unique art form. It's made from recycled oil drums, which the artists open up, pound flat, and cut into metal "canvases". Designs are typically drawn first onto cardboard and then traced with chalk onto the metal. Then they use hammer and chisel to cut their designs out of the metal. … [Read more...]
Chinese Brush Painting for Kids
Chinese Brush Painting dates back to 4000 BC, with techniques being handed down from master to student. In contrast to what most of us are taught about art today, copying and the perfection of technique were more important and more highly valued than self-expression. Chinese Brush Painting uses simple strokes of a paintbrush to capture a single object or an entire scene. Teach … [Read more...]
A Child’s Prayer for the World
This "Child's Prayer for the World" lesson is an updated repost (from my archives) of a project my friend, Barb Mendence, did with her 2nd graders every year. A project like this never goes out of style... and our world can use these prayers now more than ever! Not only is this a fun, easy art lesson that's adaptable to any grade level, it also makes a great geography lesson … [Read more...]
20 Interesting Facts about the Sistine Chapel
If you're reading this post, you're probably a person who enjoys learning about art and the artists who create it. Yet we all know people who don't share this interest, and may even find art history to be dry and boring (gasp!). Well, art history is anything but dry and boring if you know the stories behind the paintings! From DaVinci's Mona Lisa to the diverse works … [Read more...]
Illustrate a Proverb or Verse Inspired by the Fante Asafo Flags of Ghana
Seeing a variety of Fante Asafo Flags from Ghana will inspire your students with ideas for this project. Students in grades 5 and up will enjoy creating their own personal flag to illustrate a proverb or verse that's meaningful to them. Kids love the tactile experience of working with felt and embroidery floss as they use graphic symbols to tell a story, convey a concept or … [Read more...]
Light Has Come!
Religious paintings were a favorite subject of the Old Masters (trained European painters who worked between the mid 1400's to the early 1800's). In paintings from this time period, Jesus was often depicted with a glowing light that would radiate out from him. This example of the Nativity (or birth) of Christ by Dutch artist Gerard Van Honthorst (1622) is a great example of … [Read more...]
Christmas Project Collection
Need a fun art project for the last few days before Christmas break? Follow these links to some of my favorites! (Faux) Stained Glass Ornaments Origami Crane Ornaments Japanese Notan Ornaments Christmas Word Clouds Kindergarten Stars Jacob's Ladder Icicles Folded Paper Stars Candy Cane-O-Grams Art Gift Wrap Merry Christmas! … [Read more...]
Jacob’s Ladder Icicles
I like to have each of my classes make a special ornament for Christmas each year. Here's an easy paper icicle that's fun for 1st grade and up. Once students get the hang of it, they'll be making these as fast as you can cut the paper! This project is a little more craft-like than I usually do with my students, but during those high energy days leading up to Christmas … [Read more...]
Lettering Waves
My inspiration for this project came from the book, Hand Lettering, by Marci Donley & DeAnn Singh. The authors call this "Writing Between the Lines", but we've renamed it "Lettering Waves" since we live in a surfing community where waves are a pretty big deal! I taught this lettering style to my middle schoolers and the results were fantastic! You'll find so many … [Read more...]
Children’s Prayers for the World
I love this project that 2nd-grade teacher, Barbara Mendence, does with her students each year! Not only is this a fun art lesson, but it makes for a great geography lesson and culture study as well. Armed with a list that includes all the countries of the world, her class commits to praying for every country over the course of the year. As they work through their list each … [Read more...]
