This morning concluded Art Camp. We had a blast! Although I only had a few students that attended (all girls), it was really nice having such a small group. We were able to do a lot more than I originally had planned and all the girls really got to enjoy being with each other. Super super fun! I am really sad the week had to end. Like the girls, I probably would have done Art Camp all summer :)
Everyday of Art Camp, we read a book when we first arrived. The book acted as our inspiration and theme for each day. Needless to say, I took a ton of pictures of what we did. Below, you will find an explanation of what we did throughout the week, as well as a slide show with pictures of our activities and creations.
Monday our book was "Pinkerton, Behave!" by Steven Kellogg. After reading our book, we looked at numerous other examples of dogs in art, specifically looking at portraits of dogs. Afterward, we created our own dog portrait paintings. Since the book we read was all about Pinkerton the Great Dane attempting to respond to commands, we also played Art Simon Says.
Tuesday our book was "The Dot" by Peter H. Reynolds. In the book, Vashti creates a dot "by not painting a dot". We did the same. After tracing a bowl creating a circle, the girls placed painters tape around it. Since their circle was now protected by the tape, the girls explored mixing and blending acrylic paints on the other areas of their canvas.
While our paintings were drying, I talked to them about Wassily Kandinsky and his circle paintings. Inspired by his artwork, the girls created layer after layer of circles on a piece of transparency with Sharpies creating an almost stained glass type artwork.
Tuesday, we also created CD spinners. After recently seeing these awesome inventions on Mini Matisse, I knew that we had to try them! We had sooo much fun spinning them and watching the colors all swirl together!
Wednesday our book was "Dragons Love Tacos" by Adam Rubin. I absolutely love this book! This is the second time I have used it for a project this year and could probably use it many, many more :) Anyway, the girls created an oil pastel resist of foods that they love. They drew the food first with pencil, traced it carefully with a black oil pastel, and then painted them with watercolors.
We also created what I called "texture cake" collages. I have a lot of different texture plates in my art room. The girls created several different texture rubbings with these plates. Afterward, they cut them into various layers and decorations for their cake.
This week has brought some really nice weather, so Wednesday I could not resist letting them go outside to play. We decided to break out the side walk chalk and make a few artworks outside the school.
Thursday our book was "Grandpa Green" by Lane Smith. After reading the book and talking about South Carolina topiary artist Pearl Fryar, the girls created topiary prints. They began by cutting a shape out of bubble wrap. They painted a thin layer of green tempera paint on the bubble side of the bubble wrap and printed it onto a piece of card stock. After it dried, they added details using colored pencils.
While our bubble wrap prints were drying, the girls created a still life on a round wooden plaque. They thought it was pretty cool not only drawing on the wood, but also creating an artwork on something that is round. I didn't realize it until they were talking with one another, but it seems in many art classes, even the ones that I have taken, you always seem to use rectangular paper. The change was refreshing!
Recently, I took a trip to the local Botanical Gardens and learned about creating prints utilizing the natural dyes founds in plants. After exploring the school grounds gathering flower petals, leaves, and clovers, we came inside and printed them. To do that, the girls placed their plant onto a piece of watercolor paper, placed three pieces of paper towel on top and carefully hit it with a hammer to release the dyes. The process creates some really cool prints!
Today our book was "Pete the Cat: I Love my White Shoes" by Eric Litwin. After reading the book about this cool cat and his shoes, we created shoe charms. The girls created a ping pong size ball of Model Magic and carefully flattened it slightly on the bottom of their shoe. When they removed the clay, it left an imprint of the pattern on the bottom of their shoe. They painted them with acrylic paints and created a necklace to put the charm on using wooden beads and cord.
We also created cat sculptures today. The girls bent and twisted neon pipe cleaners to create the body of their cat and used a ping pong ball and paint pens to create the head. I helped them glue on the construction paper ears with hot glue.
Since we did a lot of art this week, the two tables we worked at were really dirty. In order to clean them and have a ton of fun while we did, the girls were able to make shaving cream art. I sprayed a TON of shaving cream ALL over the two tables. The girls had sooooo much fun spreading the shaving cream around and drawing pictures revealing the black table underneath.
I am so proud of all the work that was created this week! I had so much fun and cannot wait to do it again next year!
