Check out some of our current projects happening in the art room and how they’re made!
Check out some of what we’ve been up to below!
This month students finished creating entries for the Ward Museum’s students art show – “No More Waste, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. Everyone brought in plastic bags from retail shops, grocery stores, and plastic bags that breads, potatoes, and other foods are packaged in. Using an iron, we fused layers of plastic together to create a thicker plastic, adding lettering, colors, and cut-outs (from more plastic) to make our works of art colorful and unique! Finally, we cut and assembled our plastic, fusing pieces together to turn it into heavier duty bags, pouches, cases, and artwork! Artwork will be on display through June 12th!
February was full of paint nights in Ocean City at the Princess Royale through the OC Art League. As well as some held at the Seaford & Greenwood Libraries!
This month I was able to complete my first pastel commission of the year – “Admiral”. As well as work on some new painted glass pieces that will be available at the Ward Museum’s gift shop and upcoming art events! I also created an entry for Tropical Moscato – Follow this link and vote by leaving a comment on your favorite entry!
Click here and leave a comment to vote for your favorite entry!
Students also worked on color wheels and creating artwork using warm & cool colors to help create or evoke certain feelings, moods, or ideas into their art! Many focused on hands and how we can also use them to communicate with too!
Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!
Our February spotlight is on:
Elijah Cockey
How long have you been taking art lessons? “I have been taking art lessons since 2012.”
Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “I began taking art lessons because, as a homeschooler, it is hard to find opportunities to do art.”
What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “Well, I have no muse, really, but (Ms. Jenell can back me up on this), I really like sharks and snakes, so I create a lot of art about them.”
What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “My favorite medium I’ve used in class is probably acrylics. My favorite medium I’ve used outside of class is probably blacksmithing.”
Is there anything else about you that you’d like us to know? “One thing I’d like you all to know is that the word “Lego” comes from the Danish term “Leg Godt,” or “Play Well.” I thought that was interesting.”
“Santasaurus” Acrylic on Slate – “To avoid seeming off task while looking at stencils, I somehow had to incorporate dinosaurs into my artwork. It turned out almost as lit as the meteorite that brought santasauru’s career to an end.”
Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “I am certainly into other art forms. I like music a lot. I play cello, upright bass, electric bass, and banjo. I’m considering learning bagpipes, but that’s still a work in progress.”
Why do you think art is important? – Why is it important for you? “I think that art is important for numerous reasons, but I’ll focus specifically on art’s historic significance. Art—whether that be paintings, carvings, photography, sculpture, etc.—has proved to be a key component of our understanding of history. For example, when we come across a culture whose writing system is yet to be deciphered, or a culture who may not have had a written language, their art is often one of the sole windows into their world that we have. Even in recorded history, images of historical events can give contextual evidence for historical events. Art is important to me for the same reason.”
What is your favorite thing about art? “My favorite thing about art is the wide variety of artistic mediums there are.”
What artist(s) from history do you admire most and why? “The artist I admire most in history is Caravaggio. Though he is underappreciated, he influenced other artists.”
Do you plan to have a career in the arts? “I do. I plan on becoming a musician.”
“Impossible Shape” Acrylic on canvas – “If it’s impossible, then how did I draw it?”
Do you enter your artwork in any shows or contests? “Whenever an opportunity comes up, whether that be through art class or through another organization like 4-H, I always submit my art. Did I say I win? No. But I submit.”
Is there a certain style, or type, of art that you’d like to someday try? “I’ve always wanted to try glassblowing. I’ve seen people do it at Jamestown, the Corning Museum of Glass, and Salisbury University. It’s a mesmerizing process.”
Do you have a favorite color? “My favorite color is orange. I like campfires, leaves, pumpkins, and all other things related to fall, so orange seemed like a natural favorite color.”
How long does it take you to complete your artwork? “My artwork takes as long for me to complete as I will stop talking in art class. Fact.”
“Sharkuterie” Mixed Media on Board – “It’s a picture of a shark because I’m a great admirer of sharks.”
What is your favorite thing you’ve ever created and why? “My favorite thing I’ve ever created in art class is a shark on a board. Kind of like a…Sharkuterie board. I crack myself up.”
When you’re making your art do like to listen to music or watch tv for inspiration (if so what)? “I like listening to music while I do my homework. I find it helps me focus.”
Is there an aspect of art that you don’t like, and why? “One thing that I don’t like about art is the fact that stick figures are often looked down upon. That’s kind of offensive…if you’re a stick figure, of course.”
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist or improve their skills? “Yeah, go take from Ms. Jenell.”
What do you think makes a good artist and/or piece of art? “I think that a good artist has a point to make with their art, and I think good art makes that point. It doesn’t have to be a deep, metaphysical point. It just ha to be worth making.”
How has your artwork improved/what have you done to keep improving as an artist? “My artwork has much improved over the years. One skill I have developed in particular is the ability to look at a picture and draw from that picture.”
Elijah brings fun and humor to class every week – he enjoys making others laugh (as well as “cracking himself up”), his sense of humor reflected in his artwork; bringing a smile to the viewers. He also likes to think outside the box and add his own perspective or take on the given subjects, mediums, & styles, creating unique and personal pieces of art!
Have fun with warm and cool colors, creating simple & meaningful pieces of art that also make perfect Valentine’s Day cards!
What you need:
Watercolor Paints
Watercolor Paper x2 at least 8″x10″
Paint Brush
Masking Tape
Gluestick
Crayons
Course Sea Salt
Plastic Grocery Bag
What are warm and cool colors? Warm colors are reds, oranges and yellows, while cool colors are, blues, greens, & violets. Warm colors often make us think of warmth – fire, sunshine, heat. Cool colors tend to be more calming and make us think of water, sky, or ice. For this project we have three different elements: Your background paper, your hand, and your heart! We created a pattern by layering warm and cool colors for each element; Background in warm colors, hand in cool colors, heart in warm colors, or the reverse; background cool colors, hand warm colors, heart cool colors. Next to one another, warm and cool colors are very contrasting and make one another stand out! Decide if you would rather have a warm heart and cool hand or cool heart and warm hand!
Prepare your papers: You will need one piece of paper for your background and one piece to share for your hand and heart. Tape one piece of watercolor paper down to a work surface for your background with your masking tape. Cut the other piece of watercolor paper in two, trace an outline of your hand one piece, and draw a heart shape on the other (make sure your heart will fit in your hand outline). Tape your hand and heart pieces of watercolor paper to your work surface as well. Taping helps to keep your paintings flat while you work on them! Keep in mind the tape will resist the watercolor – try to apply the tape evenly around your background paper!
Listed below are three different watercolor techniques to make your warm and cool color hearts and hands! You can use any of the three of the techniques for any portion of your project – background, hand, & heart, or combine techniques or create your own! For each technique we will be using “wet on wet” – where we brush your paper with water, then add our paint. This helps our colors flow and mix around, giving us some really fun effects! Have your watercolors prepared and ready!
Crayons & Watercolor – Use warm or cool color crayons to draw designs or patterns on one of your elements (background, hand or heart). Brush water on your element, going over the crayon designs, then use watercolor paint to fill in your element – the crayons are waxy and will resist the watercolor!
Salt & Watercolor – Wet your element by brushing it with water, then dab splotches of watercolor on top! Watch as the paint flows and mixes on the paper! While the paint is still wet, sprinkle a little bit of salt on your element – notice how the paint pools around the pieces of salt! Let your element dry completely and then gently brush off the salt pieces to reveal the finished technique!
Plastic & Watercolor – This technique is made by using a plastic grocery bag – you may need to cut the bag open so it’s bigger and can cover your whole paper surface! Wet your paper with water and then add color to paper – in the example below we dabbed color on the paper but you can use almost any method for this technique! Once you have your whole piece of paper covered with color, and while it’s still wet, place your piece of plastic over the wet paint, pressing gently, and being sure to “scrunch” or “crinkle” the plastic on your paper. Let this dry completely (this can take some time!) and then remove the plastic to reveal a very cool technique!
Once you have all your elements painted, let them dry completely – it’s best not to use a hair dryer to speed up the process for the salt or plastic techniques as it may not allow the techniques to work well. When they’re dry and ready, remove the tape and cut out your hand and heart! Glue all of your elements together! Turn these into cards or pictures for Valentine’s day!
Change it up and make multiple hands – add something instead of hearts!
Check out some of our current projects happening in the art room and how they’re made!
Happy New Year! Check out some of what we’ve been up to below!
Tux was super excited to help us with our first project of the year; creating entries for the Ward Museum’s students art show! Students are creating a piece of upcycled artwork for the upcoming show “No More Waste, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. Everyone brought in plastic bags from retail shops, grocery stores, and plastic bags that breads, potatoes, and other foods are packaged in. Using an iron we fused layers of plastic together to create a thicker plastic, adding lettering, colors, and cut-outs (from more plastic) to make our works of art colorful and unique! Finally we cut and assembled our plastic, fusing pieces together to turn it into heavier duty bags, pouches, cases, and artwork!
This month I was able to visit Parkside High and create mini succulent gardens out of polymer clay with students there!
We were also able to hold a painted wine glass class at the Seaford Library!
I’ve had some time this month to work on a fun commission project – painting a wooden Noah’s Ark set! And have also been working on adding some new polymer clay bookmarks to my Etsy shop! Check out this post on how I create my “Put a Fork in it” bookmarks and see them all in my Etsy shop!
Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!
Our September spotlight is on:
Guinevere Cockey
My name is Guinevere Cockey, I am 12 years old, and I have been taking art with Ms. Jenell for 10 years. I started taking lessons in about 2012. My siblings had been taking art with Ms. Jenell before I started, and I was so excited when I was allowed to start! Other artists’ works as well as animals—domestic and wild—inspire me to create art. I enjoy painting with acrylics and watercolor, but I enjoy fabric arts like knitting, crocheting, and sewing, equally. I also love riding horses.
“Christmas Slate” Acrylic on Slate
What is your favorite thing you’ve ever created and why? “My favorite thing I’ve ever created is a roof slate on which I painted a Christmas scene. I enjoyed creating it because the focus was on the trees, but, beyond them, is a small snowman, smiling in a winter storm. Also, the slate had been used for many years on the roof of a house and, itself, had seen many Christmas storms. Now it was being turned into a work of art about a Christmas storm!”
Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “Besides visual arts, I dance, act in community theater, and play many different instruments in my family band.”
“Impossible Square” Acrylic on canvas
Do you have a favorite color? “My favorite color is probably light turquoise. Light turquoise is my favorite color because it reminds me of the water in a beautiful beach in Pensacola, Florida my family and I went to on our summer vacation.”
Is there an aspect of art that you don’t like, and why? “I don’t like modern art. Not like Andy Warhol, but other types of modern art. Like the kinds that just are, for example, a blank yellow page that represents all the rain in the clouds.”
“Flowery Dots” Alcohol inks on Yupo
Do you plan to have a career in the arts? “When I go to college I might double-major in Equestrian Studies and Photography or Performing Arts.”
Guin is always excited and cheerful when taking on projects, trying new mediums, subjects, & styles! She’s open to new ideas and thoughts – and never goes into any project thinking she can’t do it! Being able to enjoy the process of making and creating along with her positive outlook, makes her a successful artist who spreads happy qualities through her art; inspiring others!
Check out some of our current projects happening in the art room and how they’re made!
Happy Holidays! Check out some of what we’ve been up to below!
Students had fun creating a gingerbread ornament from polymer clay or painting on slate for our final project of the year!
Fun at the Westside Community Center Annual Christmas Dinner Making crafts and playing games!
Students finished up working on their line drawings this month, focusing on line & form, pen techniques and watercolor! They’ve been working on creating forms and incorporating line and pen techniques to create shading! Their final step is to add watercolor in a fun way!
Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!
Our September spotlight is on:
Caden Pavese
Hello, my name is Caden Pavese and I am 13 years old. I am home schooled and in 8th grade. I have been taking art classes with Ms. Jenell since 2nd grade. I began taking classes because I enjoy it and both of my older siblings were attending classes too. Two of my favorite art mediums to use are pencil and acrylics. Some of my other interests include: woodworking, hiking, camping, Boy Scouts and VEX robotics.
“Sunrise Through The Arch”, Mixed Media
How long does it take you to complete your artwork? “It depends on what I am doing, but if I am drawing it usually takes me a few hours.”
“Nature”, Watercolor on Plaster Cast
Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “Yes, I like creating stop motion movies with Lego’s, woodworking and wood burning.”
“Snowy Owl”, Pastels
Do you have a favorite color? “My favorite color is dark green or blue.”
“Trash Into Treasure”, Mixed Media
Is there a certain style, or type of art that you would like to someday try? “One style of art I would like to try is charcoal drawing.”
“Geometric Bear”, Watercolor
How has your artwork improved/ what have you done to keep improving as an artist? “I like to watch video tutorials on YouTube because watching people draw helps me to learn new technique.”
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist and/or improve their skills? “I think practicing daily is a key aspect to help you to become a good artist.”
Caden takes his time and puts forth determination, effort, and thought, into all of his artwork! He’s excited to utilize new techniques and mediums to achieve the goals he sets out to reach within each piece of art he creates. It’s this focus and willingness to learn that will allow Caden to continue to grow and improve as an artist!
Check out some of our current projects happening in the art room and how they’re made!
Happy Thanksgiving! Check out some of what we’ve been up to below!
Students finished up work on their awesome landscapes and we were able to see all their finished artwork on display at a local restaurant! They completed their layered landscapes in acrylic and oil pastels to achieve these awesome pieces! Everyone did such a great job on these and they look awesome on display!
Wreath making at the Greenwood DE Library this month was a lot of fun!
Students are starting new projects this month, focusing on line & form, pen techniques and watercolor! They’ve been working on creating forms and incorporating line and pen techniques to create shading! Their final step is to add watercolor in a fun way!
Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!
Our September spotlight is on:
Elana Pavese
Hi my name is Elana, I’m 10 years old and in the 5th grade. I like playing outside, being with friends, gymnastics, camping and Legos!
“Sunset Mountains”, Mixed Media
Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “I started liking art because you can express your feelings in a way besides telling them.”
What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “Painting & coloring.”
“The Walk Of The Elephant”, Watercolors
What is your favorite thing you’ve ever created and why? “My geometric shape elephant because it has all my favorite colors and is my favorite animal.”
Do you have a favorite color? “Bubble gum pink & Lavender purple.”
“A Day in Nature”, Metal Tooling
What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “My art teacher Miss Jenell, her artwork is really inspiring!”
Is there a certain style, or type, of art that you’d like to try someday? “Origami – I just love the way the shapes come out in different things.”
“Sports”, Paper Mache
How has your artwork improved/what have you done to keep improving as an artist? “Keep practicing and the art homework helps me.”
Is there an aspect of art that you don’t like and why? “It’s really messy and sometimes it doesn’t come out the way you want it.”
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist or improve their skill? “Keep practicing to get better.”
Elana is careful in her artwork, taking her time and coming up with ideas before executing them! She puts a lot of thought into her work but is open to make changes or adjustments if needed! Elana is also very dedicated to accomplish what she sets out to do and continues to work on a piece until she’s happy with it! Keep up the great work Elana!
Each month I will be spotlighting one of my students – past or present, and their artistic ventures! I work with students of all ages and abilities and you’ll get to learn a little bit about these amazing artists and their work!
Our October spotlight is on:
Gage Smartnick
“I’m Gage and I’m 15 and in 9th grade at James M Bennett High School. I like swimming and I swim on the YMCA swim team, running, playing on the computer, and art classes. I was adopted from China and have 3 brothers and 1 sister.”
“This is a paint by number on canvas. It took me a long time to finish.”
How long have you been taking art lessons? “8 years”
Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “To get more creative.”
What’s your favorite thing about art? “I like seeing the finished product from all my hard work. “
This is my favorite art work and I won an award for it at the Ward Museum.
What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “I like painting landscapes the most.”
When you’re making your art do like to listen to music or watch tv for inspiration (if so what)? “I like it to be quiet when I work on my art. At home, I usually paint in my room because it’s away from all the noise.”
What is your favorite thing you’ve ever created and why? “The picture of Marty, my sister’s dog, that I painted her for her birthday.”
Do you have a favorite color? ” My favorite color when I was younger was green, but now I like blue.”
“One of my walls full of my art.”
What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “Ms. Jenell”
Is there anything else about you that you’d like us to know? “I’m an uncle already.”
Do you have any advice for someone who wants to become an artist or improve their skills? “Follow your dreams and never give up.”
Gage always has a positive outlook on his art – even when his work isn’t quite going the way he’d like! Instead of getting frustrated and giving up, he takes his time and carefully continues to work on the piece until he’s able to reach his artistic goals! His perseverance and determination is inspiring! Keep on creating Gage!
