Let’s face it, art room brushes take a beating. But don’t throw them away - rejuvenate them instead! I used to think “The Masters” Brush Cleaner and Preserver was only for my expensive art brushes at home. Somehow the brushes in my classroom didn’t seem ‘worthy’. How crazy is that?! Now that I’ve started using it on my classroom brushes, I’m completely hooked, and here’s … [Read more...]
Art for the Differently-abled
I wasn’t looking for a new teaching position when I got the phone call last spring to “just let me show you our facility”. The call was from the director of the Stroke and Disability Learning Center at our local Community College, and I agreed to a tour. It wasn't the beautiful new facility that hooked me, but the Stroke Center’s motto: “Love Spoken Here”, printed on the … [Read more...]
Illustrations with Surrealism
What better way to celebrate April Fool’s Day than with an image of Salvadore Dali caught in the act of pulling a prank??! Surrealism is a cultural, artistic, and literary movement which began in the early 1920’s. Founded by French writer and poet Andre Breton as a ‘revolutionary movement’, Surrealism is probably best known as a style of art featuring photorealistic images of … [Read more...]
How to Ruin a Paintbrush in One Simple Step
Watercolor or tempera paint in cake form offers lots of advantages for elementary students. But this kind of paint can also be hard on brushes! When younger students are used to painting with liquid watercolors or liquid tempera, they often forget to add water to their paint when they switch to working with cake-style colors. Then, they compensate for this lack of water by … [Read more...]
6 Tips for Watercolor Success with Kids
Watercolor is a great medium for kids! It's affordable, mixes well, cleans up quickly, and (usually) doesn't stain clothing. Here are six tips to help you and your younger students find success when learning to work with this classic medium: Choose a good quality student paint. Good quality doesn't have to mean expensive! Before buying a class set of any art … [Read more...]
Day of the Dead – Ofrenda Painting
The popular Mexican holiday, Day of the Dead (or Dia de Los Muertos), gives us many opportunities for colorful art lessons combined with learning about another culture! True confession time.... when I moved from a small town in upstate New York to go to college in California, I had no idea what Day of the Dead was.... I had never even heard of it. I (wrongly!) assumed it was … [Read more...]
Feed Your Creative Soul – with a Sketchbook!
Most art teachers I know struggle to find time for pursuing their own artwork.... so if that's you, you're not alone! Summertime provides a great opportunity for teachers to do things they otherwise set aside during the school year. But if we're trying to teach our students how important art is, should we really be putting off our own art until summer? (I'm speaking to myself … [Read more...]
366 Hearts
If you're looking for ideas for Valentine's Day, this story may give you the inspiration you're looking for! When I first discovered the 366 Hearts project, I stayed up half the night with inspiration for all the new ideas I wanted to try. Talented U.K. artist, Hazel McNab, challenged herself to create a new heart every day from Valentine's Day 2012 until Valentine's Day … [Read more...]
Day of the Dead / Dia de los Muertos Projects
Day of the Dead (or Dia de los Muertos) is right around the corner! Don't miss the opportunity to share this important cultural tradition with your students. Often misunderstood, this popular Mexican holiday honors ancestors and loved ones who have died, and is celebrated each year on November 1st & 2nd. This family-centered holiday celebrates the cycle of … [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...]
