Arts Projects For Anyone to create for your entire Wellbeing. !

Arts Projects For Anyone to create for your entire Wellbeing. !
Inspiring art creation for the home, at school, and community. (Above image from the school meadow in bloom)

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Happy Pet Appreciation Day!

Today is Cook-Wss Virtual Week's Pet Appreciation Day! 

The Picture is of Cyro, my husband, and I. Cyro lives at my parent's house as my mother and I adopted him 12 years ago. When I moved out he was already used to that environment with space, so I didn't take him. Plus, my first apartment was a tiny studio! Now I see him every time I visit my family. It's been a while. I miss them all so much. Be strong and Stay safe everyone!
#WeAreCookWiss #CWVirtualSpiritWeek


If you didn't know, yesterday was Vincent van Gogh's Birthday! 

The Philadelphia Museum of Art sent me a virtual tour link which walks and talks you through some of his amazing art pieces! What a treat! Enjoy! Vincent van Gogh Art Tour !



Art Project!

Every year around this time in April, I have my students study flowers, stems, leaves, and vases. We sketch out our ideas. Then, on large paper we draw our own version of Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers. Lastly we paint them and add finishing touches. Below are some examples from last year. 
 


















Monday, March 30, 2020

Fabric and Paper Dyeing Techniques





Hi Everyone! Virtual week day one! Favorite school shirt and/or sunglasses! I chose my new staff school shirt Mr. Lowe bought us at the start of this year. All the staff wore their shirt on the first day of school so the new parents would be able to identify staff for help. It worked wonderfully!

A few weeks later CW had their annual 5K to raise money for the school, exercise, and to welcome the community! We also had music and a tie-dye station! I decided to tie-dye my staff shirt and it came out amazing! I used the Shibori style- Dating back to the 8th century, Shibori is a traditional Japanese manual technique which resists the covered areas of fabric, thus producing a hidden first layer of the fabric once removed. Typically, under color= white and dye color= indigo. Many resist methods can be used- string, wood press, or even rubber bands! The trick is to stop the color from touching those hidden layers. Once you figure that out, you can create many beautiful patterns! I was really interested in this technique in college.

I hope everyone is staying safe. I miss you all.

#WeAreCookWiss #CWVirtualSpiritWeek



Bought this beauty at the Philadelphia Cherry Blossom festival last year 2019 for only $10 and cleaned it. Handmade from Japan in the Shibori style! Look at that incredible detail!


Dye Projects for Home:

1. Create a dye Swatch book for your reference.  

What is a dye swatch book? It's just pieces of paper or fabric that you pin to a board or put in a scrapbook or journal with notes. This way you can refer back to and remember what was used, how much, and what you did. 
  • First you want to collect fabric scrap pieces that you might have or different kinds of paper.
  • Next set up your natural dyes (see below) for you to test pieces with.
  • Keep a good log with the fabric you used, what dye you used and how log it soaked for.
  • This information is useful when creating a final art piece. 

2. Create natural dyes with materials from home. 

Did you know you can mix and create natural dyes with foods, plants, and spices you already have in your home? Simple items like leftover coffee grounds, tea bags, turmeric, and ground parsley can create beautiful colors for you to use to paint with or dye fabric with. 

3. Create your own dyed paper, painting, or fabric piece.



Now that you know the basics lets put all that information together!  (Disclaimer-online images used for dye examples were not my own)
  • Some ideas for fun could include dyeing old clothes to give them a new look (make sure you ask for permission first kiddos!) 
  • Dyeing White or off White Natural Yarn
  • Dyeing an old Bag or Tote
  • Painting on different kinds of papers. 
    • Use the papers for later for collage, gift wrapping, or drawing on!

Friday, March 27, 2020

ArtWell for the Entire Self

An Art teacher working from home. This is were we are now. 

Let's be positive and stay safe!
Cook-Wissahickon School has decided to have a Virtual Spirit Week March 20th - April 3rd!  Everyone is encouraged to post their pictures to class dojo or other school related social media!

Monday- Wear your favorite school shirt and sunglasses
Tuesday- Take a selfie with your pet
Wednesday- Best dress 80's
Thursday- Post your poetry/song/rap and Autism Awareness
Friday- Pajama Party!

I am back and have lots of time to post daily! Get ready for the fun arts activities anyone can do from home! I posted the "Found Objects at Home Color Wheel" on class dojo. Here it is again!
View color wheel example, find like color wheel colors from objects at home. Take a photo and post! Put the objects back! I even did one with neutral colors like, black, white, gray, browns, & tans. Have fun!