A few days ago a friend of mine asked me is she should take up her masters degree or fulfill her life long dream of seeing the world. Without hesitation I answered, “Travel!” I believe in the importance of travelling. Being a nomad at heart, I would jump at any chance to travel to a new place.

I don’t just travel for fun or to, as some people say, “burn money.” There are many reasons why I do so. Let me give you five reasons why you should travel.

First, you get to see the world. This is my most basic reason why I travel…So I can see the world! I want to explore countryside other than my own and experience different cultures. I want to see London, China, Egypt and Bali. You can always log on to the internet to see pictures of these places. But wouldn’t it be better to see for yourself?

Second, meet new friends. There is a saying that goes, “Strangers are friends you haven’t met yet.” When you travel, you get to meet all sorts of people from all walks of life. Just by conversing with these people you can already learn so much. Plus, it’s great to meet new friends. You can expand your network and widen your inner circle. Don’t limit yourself with the friends you have at home. Go out there and make new friends.

Third, expand your mind. Travelling can really change your way of thinking. It can transform your very perception of life. Once you have gone to different countries you’ll see that the world isn’t so big after all and that we are all connected in some way. This way of thinking can teach you to value life and the people that you meet.

Fourth, learn new things. Travelling allows you to experience things that you wouldn’t have been able to experience in your own country. Since each country has their own culture and norms, you will be able to learn many new things.

Fifth, have fun! Travelling allows you to have fun! Imagine being in an exotic city filled with interesting people and delicious food. The possibilities for having fun are endless. You can relax and unwind and experience the joy that life is.

Life is good when you are having fun. Time is fleeting. Spend it wisely by making good memories.

“Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer.  Aside from being an avid reader, she also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing accent tables and candle lanterns.

Cadavre Exquis

“The exquisite corpse shall drink the new wine.”

Some of you may be thinking, “What in the world is this woman talking about?” Sounds strange, doesn’t it? Apparently I don’t get around much because the exquisite corpse is something that has been around since possibly before the 1920’s.

How did I not hear about it? I don’t know. But luckily the student teacher I mentored this semester taught me how to use it in my art classes.

“The exquisite corpse” is a fun activity to help you come up with fresh ideas. Surrealists used the game to create some crazy art work. There are many websites dedicated to playing the game in some manner. The exquisite corpse can be played with words, images, and even video.

My student teacher gave my Art II students a brief introduction to ” the exquisite corpse” with a power point presentation. The presentation showed some art work that was created or influenced by the exquisite corpse.

If you want to read more about the exquisite corpse go to the sites below:

Wikipedia Article

ExquisiteCorpse.com

For Poets

The students were shown one site that is really quite fun and can be addicting if you are not careful. It is Corpsify.com. If you go to this site you can see images in the gallery of art work that has already been created. It takes three artists to create one piece of work and you are not allowed to see the other artists work until it is finished. If you have time, check it out!

So what did my students create? They created drawings of some crazy looking creatures. This is an easy activity. All you need: pencil and paper. If you want to create colored drawings, then the students could use colored pencil or markers. 

The students were given a piece of paper, 12″ x 18″. The paper was folded into thirds. Each student drew a head in the top third of the paper. I had to remind them to cover their work up when they were done. They also had to make sure at least two lines came down into the middle third of the paper so the next artist could see where to start their drawing. They traded papers.

The next artist drew the torso and arms making sure to make two lines into the bottom third for the third artist to attach to. I taped each section of the paper closed so that people would not be tempted to peek. Then the papers were traded.

The third artist was told to create the bottom portion of the creature. It could be feet or whatever their imaginations came up with. At the end of the class, the students were very anxious to see the artwork that was created. I had different students come to the front of the class and reveal the work. Then the creations were displayed on the bulletin board for all to enjoy.

 In introduction to this activity, my students played a word game. I wrote three words and then covered up the first two. The next person wrote three words after seeing my last word. They covered all the words except their last one. We continued adding words until everyone had been given a chance to contribute.  Some of the things we came up with were:

Blue Polar bears jump rope fast and furiously.

Foxes fainted in the heat .

Burning red leaves falling into my pockets .

Hot, buttered, yummy cookies make you fat.

Little fingers tickle pink kittens.

Slim, tall little pigs bite sweet delicious candy.

Do you get a visual from reading those? I do. Now all the words we put together did not make sense. Another way to play with words is to have a system. The way most people do this is to combine words from many people in a certain order. The order is:

The adjective noun adverb verb the adjective noun.

That is how the saying at the top of this article came to be. The originators of the game came up with that saying as they played the game.

So if you are having trouble coming up with some fresh creative ideas you might want to give “the exquisite corpse” a try. Have fun!

Detail of a Seurat Painting

Georges Pierre Seurat’s work has been a source of inspiration for my Art I classes. I created a power point showing his work and gave a general definition of pointillism. The students were then given an assignment to create a watercolor painting of a flower or butterfly using this technique.

I chose flowers and butterflies as the subject matter because I felt they were well suited for pointillism and relatively easy to draw. I found numerous images on the web of flowers and butterflies. I printed out two photographs of each and made a class set for the class to use a reference. To save on ink I printed them out in black and white with only one copy of each subject in color. The color images were posted on the wall for the students to refer to if they needed help with color choices. Most of my students did not really care about having color influences. They easily came up with their own color themes.

The students drew their chosen subject on a piece of 9 x 12 inch sulphite paper. Then they were told to paint the subject using Q-tips dipped in watercolor. The painting had to be created with dots on the page. This was difficult for some students because it did take more time and patience. The students were also instructed to only use the primary colors. So if they wanted to have green leaves on a flower, they had to paint yellow and blue dots. The combined dots would create the green for them. Many students found this impossible to comprehend and they used the secondary colors in their watercolor palette.  I could easily tell which students followed directions.

All in all the art work produced was vibrant and fresh. I am very pleased with the results of this project and will definitely do this one again next year. I was so inspired by the project, that I started a large watercolor of my own in pointillism. I wanted to see if I could do the assignment myself. I used a paintbrush instead of a Q-tip so I had dots that were much smaller. Plus, I cheated and actually mixed my colors. I have been working on the painting for at least two months now. I really like the way it is coming along. When I get finished I will post it here. In the meantime, enjoy viewing the finished products of some of my students. Maybe you will be inspired to try creating using pointillism.

If there was a substance that you could use to mold and shape according to your liking it would be Play-Doh. Because of its flexibility and versatility it has become a popular medium for many people to play around with. One of the best things about Play -Doh is that it is especially made safe for children. Although it was first manufactured as wallpaper cleaner it quickly became a popular modeling compound when a group of children began playing with it. Play-Doh is non-staining, non-toxic, pliable and reusable. It’s perfect for inquisitive children who are about to explore the world of art.

Although Play-Doh is a great tool for kids to experiment around with, it is not only for children. It is for anyone who wants to have fun and play around. It can also enhance your creativity. The beauty of Play-Doh is that it is formless and pliable. You can do anything you want with it. It enhances creativity by giving us the opportunity to mold and style it into any shape that we want. Through this we can let our imagination break free. When playing with clay you don’t even have to think. Just let your emotions and imagination guide you.

I believe that in playing with Play-Doh all children need is a lump of Play-Doh. There is no need to add cutters and other devices. If you add in too many gadgets this may actually stint children’s creativity because instead of coming up with something on their own, they run to cookie cutters and molds. If you want your children to step out of their comfort zones and grow as artists then give them the opportunity to be creative.

You can also use Play-Doh to create mini-models of your favorite superheroes, cartoon characters or even food. It doesn’t have to be an exact replica. You can embellish or mold it according to your taste. Play-Doh is the perfect medium for budding sculptors. Children can play around with it and just create anything. There are many ways to stimulate creativity. And one of the best ways is by using Play-Doh.

“Amy C. is an interior decoration aficionado and online marketer.  She also likes testing and trying new home and office decorating themes.  In addition to being an interior decoration hobbyist, she enjoys designing calming solar fountains
and glass art.  Amy invites you to browse her delightful collection of glass vases”

Cover of Altered Book

In order to give my Art II students something to look forward to at the end of the school week, I have given them an altered book assignment to work on every Friday. The assignment is something that I have always wanted to do myself, so I am also creating an altered book at home in the evenings. I have found that having an example of an assignment that students can hold helps them understand what I want. So each Friday I bring my altered book to show them.

So, what exactly is an altered book? It is a book that has been altered with various art media in order to change it from a book to an original work of art. The theme for my students’ altered books is ART. That theme is not exactly original, but I feel it is a great theme in order to stress the elements of art, the principles of design, and various art techniques.

Our school librarian donated numerous hardbound books for us to use. The books are old obsolete encyclopedias. It feels good to be able to recycle these books. I asked my students to look for things at home that they might be able to use in their books. Some of the items I mentioned are:

junk mail, coupons, puzzle pieces,
magazines, feathers, ticket stubs,
stickers, old postmarks, stamps,
ribbons, yarn, thread, old jewelry,
beads, shells, and candy wrappers.

Design with Markers

The altered book counts as a major test grade. This nine weeks the students are being graded on the cover design and three double pages. When I say “double page” I mean two pages facing each other when the book is open. The cover design is 40 points and each of the 3 double pages counts as 20 points each for a total of 100. I will grade the student on their creativity, originality, effort, following directions and craftsmanship.

Last year I gave my students a similar assignment but the students were allowed to pick their own theme. That did not work well because many of my students lacked motivation and self-direction. So I learned from my mistake. This year, not only have I specified a theme but I have also told them certain requirements for their pages. I have also set a deadline of October 7. This deadline will be the first of several since the students will work on their altered books for the full semester.

Pages of Texture

The three double pages required this nine weeks are:

• drawings that express the students interests and personality,

• a creative design using markers,

• and a page that incorporates collage with pictures and words.

I have quite a list of altered book pages that I will assign in the future. I will let you know how it goes and will post some of the pages from the books for you to see as they get turned in.

My husband loves to watch Do-It-Yourself programs.  I think some of the most creative people in the world take one thing and use it to create something else entirely.  For example you can install beautiful counter tops made from recycled glass.  We watched a show where a man built his own company turning old composite shingles into driveways.

Last weekend my husband and I were on a mini-vacation, and my mom kept our children.  While she had her five grandchildren for days, she opted to do fun things with them.  They played Wii games, they began putting together a hard puzzle, they made masks, and they made popsicles.  But the most incredible activity that she did with my children was making beads.

Jake and Kyla love to make and design jewelry.  Both of them have an eye for design and have sold several pieces.  They wait for places like Hobby Lobby to hold sales so that they can stock up on supplies.  Now they know how to make their own beads from reusing #6 plastic and/or #6 styrofoam.  If you are wondering what #6 means, simply look at the bottom of plastic containers, bottles, etc.  There will be a triangular shape with a number inside.  For making beads, you need a “6″ to be in the triangle.

You need your #6 plastic/styrofoam, markers, a whole punch, scissors, parchment paper, and an oven preheated to 350 degrees.  Your first step is to cut the plastic into the desired shape.  Decide where you want the hole, and then punch it with a regular hole punch.  Using markers, color the entire area or make a design.  Use as many colors as you want.  Highlighters work, but permanent markers make a more opaque color.

Know that when you are cutting out your plastic you need to make a large version of it.  It is going to shrink in the heat of the oven.  For example the hole might seem too large, but when the bead is made, the hole is perfect for stringing on wire.

Place a piece of parchment paper on a cookie sheet.  Space out your completed designs of plastic or styrofoam shapes onto the sheet.  Bake in the oven for exactly 5 minutes.  Then, they are ready to be used to make jewelry.

Not only is this a fun project for children, but it is reusing what would have been trash into something useful and beautiful.  Making beads is a great way to encourage recycling and creativity.  The possibilities are limited only to the extent of your imagination.

If you live in Burleson, Lee, or Washington counties or near Lake Somerville in Texas you might be interested in an organization called Arts at the Lake. The mission statement of the organization is as follows:

Our mission is to create a premier Texas art destination where creativity in all art
forms is encouraged, showcased and shared. We will achieve this by attracting
artists, artisans, musicians and performers in and outside of Texas.

The Arts at the Lake organization hosts many annual events throughout the year such as a Festival of the Arts. You can read more about the organization including how to become a member by going to http://www.artsatthelake.org. Monthly meetings are held to plan future events. The organization promotes a mentoring program for children and adults for a wide array of arts and crafts, providing classes, exhibitions and performances, and providing public events so citizens may enjoy, learn about and purchase quality items from artists and artisans.  They also plan to raise revenue in order to purchase land and build a facility showcasing fine arts events.

The organization is planning an Art Trail for this fall.  The Art Trail will run along Highway 36 from Brenham to Milano. The idea of the Art Trail is to bring people from outside and within the area to view, buy and appreciate the works of local artists.  The group is looking for musicians, sculptors, potters, dollmakers, and painters to participate in this two-day event.  There will be extensive advertising of the event.  They are in need of the sponsorship of local restaurants, B & B’s, hotels, and motels along the way.

Be sure to check out their website to get more information. The next meeting will be August 3rd.

Sculptor J. Payne Lara of Navasota, nationally recognized for his talent in sculpting bronzes; small bronzes, large bronzes, and MONUMENTAL bronzes, has added a couple more hats to his hat rack. Alongside his cowboy and artist hats, he now adds those of inventor and manufacturer. Payne has created a new line of products that I believe, someday, will become the standard in sculpture supplies, and this will happen in the near future.

This is not his first invention, but it is the first one to go into mass-production. Payne has improved, and made affordable, the sculpture armature for the human figure… and is working on one for horses as well. Now a sculptor can buy sturdy, flexible skeletons that give them the basic form for several different sizes of human figures, attached to a strong, adjustable steel post that holds the sculpture in a variety of positions. Each skeleton has been slightly reduced to anticipate the addition of clay that will become the muscle and skin and thus the final surface, making each sculpture as accurate as possible.

Long acknowledged as the premier bronze sculptor in the Houston area, Payne has always made accurate anatomy an essential element of his work. As he perfected his own requirements for a decent armature, he invented something other artists need as well.

Payne is understandably cautious about revealing the process he has invented which allows relatively swift molding of fairly fussy materials. The final result was the product of months of experimentation, and not a few beers, as he smilingly explains. He has now manufactured and shipped out scores of the new product, to artists and art supply distributors around the country. He presently employs two crafts persons who help in the molding and assembly.

As a sculptor myself, I cannot wait to try this new product. In fact I will try to keep you posted as I use it in the near future!

So, an exciting product has hit the market that will revolutionize the sculpture process. Congratulations to Payne for years of diligence and successful product development, and for sharing his improvements with the art world!

Artisans craft lifelike foam skeleton parts, stored here until final assembly.

Underneath every figure he sculpts, Payne begins with the armatures like the ones he now manufactures.

You can learn more and contact Payne about these products on facebook. Just go to facebook and search for TruForm Armatures.

Andrew and his new handmade stick horse.

The Grimes County Fair begins Saturday, June 4th.  For one week, the county is extremely busy as kids show off the best of their animal projects, cooking abilities, and creative arts entries.  The community comes out to support the youth as spectators and as buyers of both animals, food, and art.

As the mother of five children, this up-coming week is going to be hectic.  The weeks leading up to the fair are just as busy at my house.  Why?  Because I have two children who like to enter all sorts of creative arts entries.  Kyla and Jake are busy knitting, crocheting, making jewelry sets, matting original art work, mounting photography, and trying out new recipes to enter in the county fair. 

I have felt like I live in a creative workshop for the past two weeks as they finalize their projects.  I have different colors of yarn sititing on top of our entertainment system.  I have a collection of crocheted coasters from which each child will pick out his or her best one to enter.  Crocheted dishcloths fill my kitchen drawer.  Beautiful jewelry sets are being mounted on black felt. 

Kyla made a wall hanging with silk flowers which now hangs on my dining room wall replacing the painting I once had there.  The only reason it is hanging on the wall right now is so that her little brothers do not destroy or harm it before Saturday.  It does not match the decor of the room so she said, “Mom, we need to repaint the walls.”  Oh, she has to be joking.

 As crazy as these past weeks have been, it has been so nice to see my children engrossed in what else they can make.  To explore other skills they have to showcase at the fair.  Their hands have been very busy.  They have not been idle at all.   

Every entry that they are entering is creative yet practical.  Every kitchen needs a dishcloth.  Why not a handmade one?  One that is soft and exactly the size and color you want.  Coasters can save the finish of your table.  Why not one made with love?  Do you have a bare spot on your wall that is calling for a decoration?  Fill it with a photograph, painting, or a flower arrangement. 

During this fair week, my two youngest boys are participating in a Kids Rodeo.  They will compete in three events.  Dummy Roping, a Boot Scramble, and last but not least a Stick Horse Race.  I realized yesterday afternoon that they had used their stick horses so much that they were both broken.  I had to find two more stick horses.

My step-dad heard our needs and delivered.  He made the coolest stick horses for my boys.  Using what he had on hand, he was able to create a one-of-a-kind stick horse for each child.  I was impressed! 

Sometimes we think of creativity as this lofty thing.  Something only the extremely talented can atttain.  We think of it in terms of masterpieces like Michelangelo or DaVinci.  In the musical world, Bach and Mozart come to mind.  These men were creative.  They were also geniuses in their area of expertise. 

As great as their creativity was, it is easy to feel inadequate.  Why even try?  If you are like me, you will not be invited to paint the Sistene Chapel.  However, do not knock practical creativity.  It is what makes a house a home.  It is way you express yourself.  It is rewarding and freeing. 

The county fair encourages practical creativity by having a huge creative arts section of the week long event.  The fair is not only about raising animals.  It is a way to showcase your creativity in many different areas.  From welding to baking, from quilting to watercolors, children, teens, and adults enter their best creative entries. 

Check out your local county fair.  Plan to enter it next year.  Spend the next year exploring areas in which you can be creative in practical ways.  Practical creativity makes great gifts.  Most importantly, it gives you an outlet to be more creative in your everyday life.

The best way to educate children is to induce interest through something they love – toys. Children have a natural tendency to adore toys. If we can incorporate educational value in the toys that we give our children, we can teach them so many things without making it burdensome for them. Much of the aversion to studies that older children develop is due to the non-creative ways in which education was imposed upon them. But when the natural inquisitiveness in children is kindled using innovative and novel their creativity and their quest for knowledge will develop at a rapid pace.

There are a number of educational toys available in the market these days. The toys need not be very expensive or highly technical either. Even toys like simple blocks of wood can instill creativity and wonder in growing children. Of course, a talented teacher can further kindle their imagination with the inventive use of the toys and educational material at hand. Numerical skills, literary skills, spatial skills and a number of other aptitudes in a child can be effectively developed using simple and innovative toys. All it takes is a little commitment and interest on the part of the teacher to bring out the best in the children under their care.

It is also important to provide as much positive reinforcement as possible to instill a sense of confidence in children. At the same time, negative reinforcement should be used as seldom as possible. When children break something or make mistakes while learning, they should not be immediately reprimanded as long as it was not an act of defiance or disobedience. Elders might sometimes unwittingly tell their children to avoid mistakes, believing that this might help them, but it might however restrict them from learning freely on their own. Just as we learn by trial and error, children too can learn through trail and error. We need to warn them only when the mistakes they can make might prove to be too costly.

It sure takes some initiative and innovativeness on the part of teachers, parents and elders at home to come up with interesting ways to develop their children’s creativity. But with the abundance of toys and edutainment kits available in the market today, it is just a matter of getting to knowing your child’s interests and buying a toy or kit that is appropriate for the child. That is all it takes to develop a child’s creativity.

About Amy C.

Amy enjoys designing novel items with her kids.  To learn more about designs inspired from Amy’s activities with her kids, Amy invites you to browse her bamboo fountain designs.