Spring And Easter Workshop

Saturday was a great day of sharing Easter and Spring Crafting projects with my younger students. I didn't have a large group, thank goodness, a couple of the projects that I had planned didn't work out so well. Kids are great, they didn't mind at all. They were very willing to change course with me and try something else. Of course their favorite was coloring eggs. We tried several different methods but we soon found out the best way to get the perfect multi-colored egg is simple to lay 2 to 3 egg in a collard in the sink, splash them with white vinger, then drip regular old food coloring on them. It's the coolest. Don't waste your money on the "Egg Spinner", it was a flop. Happy Spring and Easter to all my little art chix.

Collage Challenge

Last Friday I challenged the Art Chixs to "paint with paper".

So when they arrived on Friday morning, I had ever type and color tissue paper available waiting on them. They pulled out their mog pog and brushes and got busy on their images. The one to the left was done by my friend Dawn.



She started with an image she had seen in a magazine and a 11 x 14 sheet of watercolor paper. Most of the paper is thrown my hand and applied with mog pog. Some of the tree trunks were cut. Then she went back in when it was dry and out lined a little with a very sharp pen. She had printed the poem on a transparent paper and when she was completely happy with her image, she mog poged the poem on top. I can't wait to see it framed. makes me want to take a walk down that path. She really created great depth by using the colored paper in the right places. Way to go Dawn. I'm very impressed.

Just want to share this wonderful Quote

Found this quote on one of my favorite blogs this morning and thought it was worth sharing.

I Believe....

That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe....

That it isn't always enough,to be forgiven by others. Sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe...

That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe....

That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, But, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...

That you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe....

Two people can look at the exact same Thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...

That your life can be changed in a matter of Hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...

That even when you think you have no more to give,When a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...

That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...

That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon. The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; They just make the most of everything they have.

So Mom came for a visit two weeks ago and taught us Georgia Art Chix a cool new art lesson.

We made painted floorclothes. Very simple to do and so much fun. Simple purchase vinyl from your local Home Depot, cut to desired size. Paint with one heavy coat of Gesso. Once the gesso is dry, draw off your favorite design and begin painting with acrylic paints. We used student grade paints by Dick blick. Once your paint is good and dry spray with a clear acrylic paint to make sure nothing runs. Then paint or roll at least three coat of polycrylic on the cloth. This will seal the design and ensure that your can wash it. Take a look at some of the design my creative at Art Chix came up with.

Making something Old New again.

This week my challenge to my Altered Art Class was to bring in old jewelry items and turn it into something new. We did add lots of new pieces to the old stuff. I think everyone was pleased with their new pieces.

One of the ladies commented that now she knows why jewelry artist charge so much for their work at shows, "this is a pain in the #x*". I would agree with that statement. Take a look at the quick video and you'll see that we used some neat pieces to create with. So next time you're visiting the flea market, Great-Aunt Betty or a yard sale you may just look at that old piece of jewelry as a treasure not a piece of trash.

If you would like to try to make a few of these goodies at home you need to know a few basic jewelry making steps. You can find those in most beading magazines or this website will give you some of the basics. http://www.makingjewelryfun.com/inst-stretch.htm

Next Week we will begin creating ALTERED ART BOOKS. If you are interested in joining my altered art group, aka art chicks, we meet every Friday at my home in Roswell. We begin at 10 am and go to about 2 pm. The cost is $10 per class and it is pay as you go. Each week we work on different projects that interest the group. The bonus is that we also have lunch together.

If you would like to learn more about this fun group shot me an email at juliecooper@bellsouth.net.

We welcome newcomers with creative minds. My motto is anyone can be creative, you just have to find the thing you enjoy.

Paintings on Canvas

Today I'm off to teach my acrylic class at East Roswell Park. This class meets every Thursday from 11:30 to 1:30. It's a very relaxed class. Some of my students are beginning painters and some are very experienced. I run it like an open studio. Students are encouraged to work at their own pace and choose their own subjects. I am available to direct my students and help them with trouble spots in their work. The next session begins on April 15 and goes through May 20th. You can sign up for only $84 at any Roswell Park.

The video below shows some of the paintings I have created over the last year with my students and on my own. Most are for sale.

SAILOR'S VALENTINES

I recently read an article in "Cloth Paper Scissors" about sailors' valentine. SAILORS VALENTINES are love tokens usually made from shells and other found objects that are housed in a wooden frame. They were first made by sailors back in the 1800's at sea for their sweethearts at home. This week I challenged my Friday Altered Art Chixs to create one and here is what we came up with. I think the key to success is lots of sea shells to choose from, lots of hot glue and knowing you are creating for someone you love. Hopefully this get you thinking about doing something creative for your special valentine.