art

Family-themed art is a look into one's living room; it depicts celebration, crises, and the quiet moments of familial interactions.

After the Master
As an early childhood arts educator for a children's museum, I was always looking for ways to bring the work of artists I admired to life for my little artists-in-training. The more dramatic and hands-on the process, the better the possibility a project would result in an experience to remember, as well as a beautiful, unique work of art to take home. Some artists were easier to translate in this way than others: Jackson Pollock’s expressive drip and splatter paintings, Wassily Kandinsky’s mesmerizing concentric circles, Piet Mondrian’s electric geometry, the pinpoint dots of Georges Seurat, and the iconography of Andy Warhol's pop art. My favorite of all, Dale Chihuly, master of glass, presented a bit more of a challenge. Even if it weren't cost prohibitive for a small non-profit museum, I obviously couldn't bring in a furnace and fire it up to 2,400 degrees in the presence of small grabby hands. I needed a way to safely replicate the dynamic patterns and textures, the stunningly colorful translucence, and most of all, the whimsical beauty of Chihuly's glass towers, gardens, and chandeliers, at something significantly less super-heated. I tried a variety of different materials, which didn't work at all - plastic water bottles and opalescent paint; glass bottles, colored tissue, and glue - before finally hitting on the magic combination: shrink paper, scissors, permanent markers, a toaster oven, and a hot glue gun. Each child started out with five 8.5" x 11" sheets of shrink paper and several pairs of scissors, both regular shears, and a variety of craft scissors. Our little artists first cut out a variety of shapes in different sizes (shapes with rounded edges worked best). Some shapes had straight edges, courtesy of the shears, and some scalloped or jagged, courtesy of the craft scissors. The next step was to cut out an additional handful of shapes in spirals. Whatever scraps were left over would eventually be pressed into service as well. All of the elements now cut and ready, it was time to bring on the color. Big imaginations and a 48-pack of Sharpie permanent markers produced the most amazing combinations of colors and patterns. And also the inevitable child who was devoted to a totally monochromatic aesthetic. Color applied, it was time to head to the ovens. The toaster ovens, that is. As each piece heated up, it began to twist, and shrink, getting thicker and harder as it got smaller, the colors becoming brighter and more intense. When it was about midway through the shrinking process, and still pliable, it was time to pull it out, and give it a few more tweaks, twists, and pinches in the few seconds before it cooled and hardened into its final form. We repeated this with each shape. Then the spirals were pulled out partially straight, or the coils stretched out wider to create three-dimensional shapes. The scraps went in last, creating unique and funky bits and bobs to accessorize the sculpture with. The final step was to use the glue gun to attach the separate pieces into a cohesive whole. Watching little minds at work, the concentration evident in the furrowed brows, and a tongue sticking out here and there, was inspiring. Seeing the joy and delight building in them as they built their sculptures gave me so much joy and delight as well. When the glue cooled and the sculpture was finished, they held their sculptures up to the light, and were so enchanted to discover how it was transformed. The last step was to add a length of clear nylon wire and a paperclip and sent our little artists home with something beautiful to liven up their spaces, and, we hoped, a belief in themselves as creators.
By Molly Mix5 years ago in Families
Gifting Happiness in a Jar
How to Make a Jar of Happiness For starters, you want to try and muster up some happiness. Think of the people you love because this project will require some happy thoughts. Now open your mind. Relax and breathe. Began to think of the people or person who you want to bring happiness to. Ask yourself; will be using the jar? Capture an image of them in your mind. Hold on to it and think up all the things they like and who they are. If the jar is for you or your family, make sure you think about everyone. Any only positive energy…
By Opal A Roszell5 years ago in Families
Costumes
I have always been a highly creative person. I give credit to my mother’s sisters, and they, realizing that I was also a creative type, exposed me to many craft forms throughout the years. Some I liked, some not so much. I was always on the lookout for another outlet to satisfy the craft craving that was always gnawing at me. What are these crafts? Well, there is a list a mile long - well, that's an embellishment for sure, but there are quite a few. Let's see...there was knitting, tatting, crocheting, painting, sewing. I still sew because I really enjoy it. The others? Nah, they weren’t for me. I will, however, take the opportunity to brag loudly about my Aunt Kathy. She knitted, tatted, and crocheted some beautiful things and I admire her skill, as well as anyone else who mastered those skills for that matter.
By Carolyn McWhorter5 years ago in Families
Maybe art isn't what you think it is.
If there’s one thing I love, it’s starting a piece of writing with a seeming non-sequitur (that of course will actually be a clever and delightfully relevant hook into the heart of the prose). Here, I’ll start by owning the fact that I HATE playing with my six-year-old daughter. HATE. Like, I would rather stay up all night dealing with a stomach bug than play dolls for half an hour. I love her so much, but I find basically all play intolerable. I hope she doesn’t read this someday (Charlotte, it’s nothing personal).
By Julia DiPrete5 years ago in Families
Sound of Scissors
Sound of the Scissors Six year old me gets off of the school bus and walks up to Mom, looking up, completely innocent. Mom looks at my dress, now well aerated with small holes all around the skirt of the dress, front and back. Holes obviously cut with those safety scissors I must have had at school. To this day, I have very little recollection of actually cutting the holes. They must have been quiet, making no sound at all, or the teacher would have noticed, wouldn't she? Apparently, I did not like the dress. So, I fixed it, with my scissors. It would not be the last dress I would fix with scissors.
By Annie Adams 5 years ago in Families
Creating My Happiness with Alcohol Ink Art
My mother is the most creative person I know. Growing up she used to make clothes for her dolls from fabric scraps. If the scissors in their house were missing, her mom would call out, “Kristie, go clean your room!”. She has instilled that same creativity (and love of scissors) in me, so ever since I can remember, I have loved art. I love to draw, and make things. I was scrolling through Instagram one day and happened upon an artist’s account @_ksenyart_. She was creating the most beautiful pieces using a medium I had never heard of or seen before- alcohol ink. Alcohol ink is a highly pigmented ink mixed with alcohol. Once the alcohol dries, and it does so rather quickly, it leaves behind the dye and some incredible designs! I was immediately inspired to try it out for myself. I guarantee that once you see it, you will want to, too! Alcohol ink was a new and exciting challenge, and I was up for it!
By Kassie Harrison5 years ago in Families
Blessing of Being a Fire Horse
Trotting along with a flick of mom's wrist, Blaze's glowing body and wild flowing mane moved across the tiny stage ...the laminated paper flames lapping along beside her.
By Temple Willoughby5 years ago in Families
They can skate, I will sew
I've always been a bit of a tomboy; I grew up with just my dad and two brothers- all of whom spent their free time skateboarding, spearfishing, bridge jumping, wakeboarding, etc. I didn’t play with dolls, and I assuredly never sat down to draw or do any arts and crafts at the table with them. Although for a short period, I had a step mum who once did a fabric crafts project with me when I was seven. I enjoyed it so much I can remember the exact project we did to this day. This ended abruptly and I was back to fitting in with the boys. I wanted to join them at the skate park although we all knew I didn’t fit in. Ultimately, what I wanted was an avocation of my own.
By Schyler 5 years ago in Families
Love & Acceptance (re: your own art)
Art, in any form, is a funny thing. We all know that an artist is their own harshest critic, right? Based on my experience, I believe this is because they have a very clear vision in their head when they begin a project. They start out with certain expectations for the finished product, maybe a certain message they hope to convey, and a very specific end goal in mind regardless of the art form or medium.
By Jessica Anderson5 years ago in Families
She created a life she loved!
When the sun rises, I rise with it, I open my eyes to a new day of possibilities, With new projects to explore, And creativity to be discovered,
By Melanie Rose5 years ago in Families
A Gift of a Lifetime
My diningroom table has been turned into a construction zone. Begun during Covid quarantine, my latest project is a Victorian 45" tall dollhouse, complete with gingerbread, period furniture, and all the details any diehard crafter could imagine. For many years, I had seen dollhouse kits and wished I had someone to make one for. My son was never the dollhouse type. In April of 202, my wish was granted in a perfect little granddaughter named Ely. This blond bundle came into my life bringing smiles and laughter and dreams of how will spend time together. Always happiest when I'm working on a project, I knew it was time to start a doll house.
By Rebecca Sullivan5 years ago in Families
Underwater Basket Weaving
In the early days of the pandemic, with not much to do outside of my work and wanting to find some alone time, I found myself in a stuffy closet pondering how much joy I might have for an old pair of jeans. I recognized my old faded friend and remembered the good times, but that was at least 20 pounds and 2 kids ago, so into the discard pile they go. This process continued throughout the whole house and I slowly filled the corners of my garage with the unjoyful discards of my family’s past. As the weeks and months passed in the house, I also immersed myself in a weird collection of hobbies and crafts, including but not limited to: making masks for everyone I know, raising monarch butterflies, canning jam, making pickles, spoon carving, growing sprouts, keeping a pet sourdough starter, turning rocks into paint, and making baskets. That’s right, my free time had become a course in underwater basket weaving.
By Lisa5 years ago in Families