Doodle for Google

My after-school art class will be participating in Doodle for Google. For the first time Google is also allowing parents to register their kids instead of needing to be affiliated with a school or program. Perhaps you know a child who'd like a chance at having their doodle seen by millions? (Not to mention a college scholarship!)

No pictures please! What about your dream space?

I feel like such a tease. Always saying I'm going to post more often. Not following through. Let's see. What are my excuses... errr... reasons this time?



The kids started school. I am now the proud parent of a senior and an eighth grader. Kaitlin will be graduating this year with her distinguished diploma. She goes to school until lunchtime and then has the afternoon off although technically it's called a "work period." She's in DECA and working at a local fast food place to pay off her motorcycle. Not mentioning the name but she makes the best ice cream treats ever. (insert long rant here about problems with temporary manager that we're trying to iron out. I took the kids to school and when I came back I realized it was just a bunch of griping. :P) Her DECA counselor has been so wonderful.



Cameron is glad to be playing tennis again. That boy lives for the courts. He has some football guys on his back - all over a girl naturally. This, too, shall pass.



Both of these remind me of the Elizabeth Stone quote “Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.”



And door number three, Bob? I'm glad you asked. Behind door number three today we have the shambles formerly known as our house. We live in a 50's bungalow type house. Standard 3 bedroom, 1 3/4 bath type thing. Over the years the owners added a garage then converted it to a bedroom. They added a laundry room. But what we're concerned with is the 400 square foot family room that they added onto the back of the house. Because I am currently in the process of converting it into class space.



It has been my art space forever and ever, with Ken and the kids' computer desks here and there, a loveseat for reading and hanging out. But recently it became necessary (more convenient?) to move classes out of the store and to another space. So, in a moment of insanity, we thought "Why not?" Because who else has a big space like this plus a 6 foot table, 5 foot table, 8 pine chairs, classroom size chalkboard (for lessonplans/schedule and such), 5 giant desks, 2 small desks, towers for holding paper, 8 bookshelves, supply cabinets, file cabinets... I could go on but you get the idea. It's like I've been amassing the needed items before I even knew it. And we'll have all our supplies at our fingertips! No more frantically calling Ken because I forgot needles. hehe



It does require me texturing the ceiling, sealing the floor, moving furniture, and other things. You know how you come to live with things and don't notice them anymore? That is until you realize that the parents of more than a half dozen kids will be walking through your house weekly. ugh.



And so I have employed child labor for the last week and we are down to the wire. Two days to go and what doesn't get done - well, I'll just shrug and smile.



I have no pretty pictures of my own to share. These are pilfered from various Japanese sources. If I could read the bloggers entries maybe I could tell you the sources but then again maybe not. These have the feel that I love. Right off I can't find my very favorite but as soon as I do I'll share it. What is your dream space? What would it include? Do you have certain places on the web that you go to over an over to look for inspiration for studio space?

Latest Kids Art Class

Standing Tall

Chillaxin'

These are the papermache birds that the kids painted in the latest kids art class. (Somebody's bluebird in the back was heavily influenced by Karen Michel. ;) )I premade them before class from papermache pulp made from newspaper endrolls. Our class is only an hour and a half and I wanted them to be able to be able to paint in this class. After painting the birds, they received a Gladware tub of wet papermache to mold with and take home. This way they got the best of both in one day! I also sent home a printed sheet about paper mache.

Paper Mache

There are two basic methods of paper mache. The first is dipping strips of paper in glue/liquid paste and laying them across a form. This is how piñatas are made. The second is to make a paper mache pulp. This is the method we’re using.

Newspaper
Water
Salt
White glue

Tear the newspaper into small pieces and put them in a large bowl or bucket. Add enough hot water to completely cover the newspaper. Let soak overnight or for several hours.

After your newspaper has soaked, it's time to really start smushing it up. Tear it up, squash it, squeeze it. Try to get as many lumps out as possible. If necessary, add a bit more water and let it soak a little more. You want to consistency of oatmeal.

Once you have it as smooth as possible, add a few tablespoons of salt to help retard mold. Mix it again with your hands. Once mixed thoroughly, squeeze out any excess water and add a few tablespoons of glue. Now you are ready to use your paper mache pulp.

Store your pulp in an air tight ziploc or tub in the refrigerator for several days to a week.

I also like to finish my projects with a thin layer of tissue paper and white glue on the outside for a smoother appearance.

To dry your project leave in a warm dry area for several days or until it feels light and is not moist at all. You can also bake it at about 300 for an hour or so depending on the thickness. Be sure to watch it carefully. I keep a toaster oven in my art room just for clay and paper mache projects. Works beautifully for this!

You can buy also buy dry paper mache pulp at a craft store. I try to emphasize recycling in crafting as much as possible, however, so I suggest the following sources:

- Recycling your newspapers. The only drawback to this is the ink makes it a bit sludgy.

- End rolls from the newspaper office – The local news office charges $2-3 for these and they also make excellent drawing paper.

- Some shipping companies pack with sheets of thin paper that is just like newsprint paper.

Next week we're doing ATCs. They're already pumped about them! :)

Fall Art Classes

This week starts up the fall kids' art classes again. Yay! One of the mothers called me last Thursday. Her daughter was ready and rarin' to go. I had to tell her one more week. :)

I love this age. The kids are all around seven to ten years old and nobody, I mean nobody, can tell them they are not artists. I love doing everything I can to encourage that. Our schools focus so much on math and science I want give these kids that creative push.

And let them know that there are no mistakes, just opportunities. How many times have you messed up on something but it turned out even cooler than your original idea?

Over the summer we did a journal class. http://journalfest.blogspot.com/ They worked for four hours a day every week and were still disappointed when their time was up. How often do kids have an attention span like that?

And then we have a regular art and craft class. http://nourishkidscreativity.blogspot.com/ They loved it as well. It's a little tougher to plan because I don't go in for fun foam crafts unless we're cutting it up to make our own stamps. hehe

I'm planning my lessons for October now. Anyone have any ideas? Websites? Books?

Almost all kids love creating things. I encourage each and every one of you to sit down with a child and do a project. Even one with fun foam. :) They'll thank you for it.