Day of the Dead (or Dia De Los Muertos) is a festive two day celebration (November 1st & 2nd) honoring the lives of loved ones who have died. This colorful holiday from the Hispanic cultures of Mexico, Spain, and South America, is gaining wide popularity across the U.S. One of the most recognizable symbols of Day of the Dead is the brightly colored sugar skull. To add a new … [Read more...]
My Mona Lisa Surprise
Our son’s wedding in Europe last week gave us the perfect excuse to visit some of the world’s most spectacular museums and view masterpieces up close that I'd only ever seen in books. As an Art teacher who had never experienced Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa in person, the Musee du Louvre in Paris had to be our first stop! Many people warned me that I’d be surprised when I … [Read more...]
Ceramic Sugar Skull Plate for Dia de los Muertos
November 1st and 2nd is a Mexican holiday known as "Dia de los Muertos" or "Day of the Dead"..... an no, it isn't "Mexican Halloween"! It's not meant to be scary, spooky, or morbid, but rather a colorful tradition of honoring loved ones who have passed. I'm blessed to live in an area of the U.S. with a large hispanic population, so this holiday is big here. And the more I learn … [Read more...]
Easy Sugar Skull Ceramic Planter/Pot
As if we needed one more reason to love Trader Joe’s…. THIS sugar skull succulent planter! My students were asking for a project for Day of the Dead, so when I saw these awesome sugar skull succulent planters I knew I had to come up with a good way to make them! So here it is, just in time for Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 1 & 2! All you'll need is clay, … [Read more...]
Scholastic Art Giveaway
When the editor of Scholastic Art contacted me about reviewing their magazine on my blog and hosting a giveaway, I jumped at the chance! Scholastic Art has a special place in my heart. As a high school senior, I was chosen to receive a Scholastic Art Scholarship to an art school in Boston. Even though I had to decline the scholarship, the honor of being selected gave me a huge … [Read more...]
Origami Flower Balls
The Japanese art of origami always seems like a fitting thing to do at Christmas. It’s peaceful and calming, almost meditative to work on, and it makes a beautiful decoration when finished! As with many origami projects, this unique hanging ornament looks much more difficult than it is. It’s really just the same simple sequence repeated over and over and then glued together. … [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...]
Basic Japanese Notan Designs for 1st Grade & Up
Are you looking for an easy project that will give your youngest students more practice with scissors? This very basic Japanese Notan lesson is perfect for working on cutting and gluing skills, and kids will love the striking designs they create! Notan is a type of Japanese art that uses the contrast of light and dark to make an eye-catching composition. (Pronounce it just like … [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...]
Learn Art History with the Khan Academy
"You only have to know one thing: You can learn anything." That's the motto of the Khan Academy! If you're not familiar with the Khan Academy, and you have an interest in Art History (for any reason - whether you're a parent, student, teacher, or lifelong learner) you'll be amazed by the education that's available to you for free! The Khan Academy, founded in 2006 by … [Read more...]
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