It's easy and fun for kids to make their own painted papers for collage. The resulting textures, patterns, and color variations will add extra delight to every project. Making painted paper is a perfect "process-art" activity for the first day of school or anytime you need some "art therapy"! What you'll need for making painted papers: 9 x 12 white construction paper, at … [Read more...]
Oil Pastel Flowers Inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe
Elementary students are sure to feel successful with this Georgia O'Keeffe-inspired art project. This lesson is ideal for grades 3-5, although you can adapt it up or down depending on your needs. Oil pastels are the key to achieving this rich and expressive, painterly effect... and kids love using them. They are vivid and bright, easy to work with and yield stunning … [Read more...]
The Stocking Stuffer for Artists
I recently discovered a handy pocket-size tool that would make the perfect stocking stuffer for any aspiring artist... It's called a "ViewCatcher". At first glance, you might assume it's just a viewfinder, but it's actually much more than just that! What the ViewCatcher does Like any good viewfinder, the ViewCatcher will help you create a strong composition. When … [Read more...]
The Creative Gift for All Ages
Welcome to part two of my Guide to Creative Gift Giving! In this series, I'm sharing some not-so-obvious gift ideas that encourage creativity and develop habits and skills for success in art. I've loved art ever since I was a kid. Experiencing some early success with art helped to give me the enjoyment and confidence I needed to keep pursuing it to this day. One of those … [Read more...]
5 Reasons Why You Only Need 3 Tempera Colors for Your K-5 Students
Shopping for tempera paint can make you feel like a kid in a candy store! How can you resist filling your basket with all those juicy colors?? When you're in the market for paint for your elementary classroom or homeschool, you really only need 3 colors of tempera to provide a great learning experience for your students, and you'll simplify your life at the same … [Read more...]
Easy Father’s Day Cards with Style!
Are these the cutest Father's Day cards, or what??! My friend, Kindergarten teacher Lori Dueck, shared this project with me years ago and I was amazed by how adorable every finished card turned out! A project this good never goes out of style! Most projects for Kindergarten include a bit of prep and this one is no exception, but it's pretty quick and totally worth it!! The … [Read more...]
Helpful Tips for Painting with Kids
No one likes having a “bad hair day”…. not even your paintbrush! When younger students are used to painting with liquid watercolors or liquid tempera, they often forget to add water to their paint when they start working with cake-style colors, like the popular Prang OVL-8 set (affiliate link). Without enough water to liquify the paint, students tend to grind their brush … [Read more...]
Paint a Monochromatic Delft-Inspired Plate
Parents, are you looking for ways to keep your kids learning and engaged at home that don't involve screen time? I’ve got you covered! I'll be posting more of my favorite art projects using minimal supplies that you might already have at home. These projects develop the skills of critical thinking, analysis, problem-solving, and invention - the very qualities we need to see … [Read more...]
Find Your Best Composition With a Viewfinder
How do you choose what to paint or draw when there are so many choices in front of you? Whether your subject is a landscape, still life, or portrait, arranging your composition can be challenging when your options feel limitless. A viewfinder can help you select your best option. A viewfinder is a simple tool you can make yourself with strips of cardboard or popsicle … [Read more...]
Send a Handmade Postcard to Support the Arts
Show your support for the Arts with a handmade postcard! January’s #CMACIVICKIDS Digital Challenge is a Postcard Party. When you send a postcard to one of your elected officials with your original art on the front, your message is more likely to get noticed. And a self-portrait will make your communication even more personal! You’ll Need: *card stock (if you have … [Read more...]
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