This webpage was created in 2020 to help stay in touch and bring art to students while we weren’t able to hold in person classes. It’s become a great platform to keep others up to date on classes, projects, and “happenings” from the art room.
I hope, even when we’re able to be back in person, to keep posting projects and “happenings” here for others to enjoy as well! If you’ve completed any of the projects, or used any ideas from the site, please let me know – I would love to see what you’ve done and feature your artwork here! Tag me in your posts or send me a message!
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Currently all content on the site is free – any donations are welcome and will be used towards keeping the site up and running!
Create these fun and super easy tile coasters with a few Sharpies and some rubbing alcohol! Ceramic tiles make an inexpensive substrate to make these wonderful abstract designs on – I find tiles from our local Re-Store in all different shapes and sizes! Perfect for inexpensive & unique gifts to give!
What you need:
Sharpies or permanent markers
91% Isopropyl Alcohol
Clear Coat spray – I used Rust-Oleum Gloss
Ceramic Tile
Adhesive Felt pads
Small paint brush
Step one: Gather all your supplies and clean your ceramic tile surface with the rubbing alcohol, you can apply it to a cotton ball or paper towel!
Step two: Make sure your tile is dry from the rubbing alcohol, then start coloring your tile with your Sharpies or permanent markers! Keep in mind your colors are going to get moved around and colors will blend together – it’s best to just create abstract designs here, don’t try to create a picture, as it will get messed up in our next few steps!
Step three: Continue to color in your tile – you can leave some areas blank if desired, however, I find that the more color the better!
Step four: Dip your rush in the rubbing alcohol and gently “dab” the alcohol on the tile – a little bit goes a long way. You will immediately see the alcohol have an effect on the color.
Step five: Continue to add rubbing alcohol, I did mine in all dabs, creating a droplet effect. You could try splattering, brush strokes, or a combination to achieve different effects!
Step six: I continued to add dabs until all of my marker lines were gone. Be careful not to add too much rubbing alcohol as it moves and spreads your colors out, making the colors lighter and allowing more of the white to show through (this is why I find the more color the better in step three).
Step seven: Let you rubbing alcohol dry completely and then spray your tile with a clear coat – I used Rust-Oleum Gloss. Start with a very light layer of clear coat as sometimes it can effect your design. Let the light layer dry and then add a second coat to finish your tile!
Step eight: Let your tile dry completely – you can tell the clear coat effected my colors, making them a bit more muted!
Step nine: Once your tile is dry flip it over and add felt pads to the corners so your tile doesn’t scratch any surfaces! I used self adhesive felt pads but you could also hot glue cut felt pieces or cork as well!
Step ten: Enjoy your coaster! Or make and give as gifts!
These window stars are easy, fun, and sure to brighten your home! Made from kite paper, also known as colored wax paper, these stars are vibrant and translucent, letting the light shine through and overlapping colors combine to create new colors! Perfect for color mixing lessons!
Step one: Cut 8 squares of kite paper – all the same size. Try various colors! I started with 4″ squares for this example, however, you can make them any size you’d like!
Step two: Fold your square from corner to corner, crease, and unfold.
Step three: Fold the opposite corners together, crease, and unfold – your square should have a crease line from corner to corner, forming an X on your paper!
Step four: Fold one corner into the center of the X.
Step five: Fold the opposite corner to the center of the X.
Step six: Fold the right top edge to the center line as shown.
Step seven: Fold the left top edge to the center line.
Step eight: Repeat with all remaining 7 squares!
Step nine: Once you have all your squares folded, begin to glue them together – the point you just created in the last step will be the outside points of your star! Use a glue stick, starting on one side of the center line, from the wider tip of your origami, up to where the folds begin.
Step ten: Place a second folded piece on the center line and lining up the tips.
Step eleven: Continue to glue 7 pieces of your star together, making sure each one lines up on the center line of the last one and all tips meet in the middle.
Step twelve: Your eighth, and final piece, will be placed with one half on top and the other half underneath your star (or under the first piece you started with) to complete the pattern.
Step thirteen: Complete your star by punching a hold and adding a string or ribbon to hang it from!
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 July spotlight is on:
Akosinachukwa Norbert
Hi my name is Akosinachukwu Norbert, I am 5 years oldI have been taking art lessons for 6 months! I like art because I can create things. My favorite thing that I have created is my Cuckoo clock because I can make the pendulum move and make my cuckoo bird come out! I look forward to creating more with Miss Jenell and our next project is to create a musical instrument! I also look forward to seeing Tux every week!
Name: “Twitter” Medium: Paper Mache
When you’re making your art do like to listen to music or watch tv for inspiration (if so what)? “Sometimes I do and sometimes I don’t!”
Ako creating his “Twitter” in paper mache!
What is your favorite thing about art? “My favorite thing about art is that I can make things that I like!”
Ako and his “mycoocoo clock” that he made!
Is there anything else about you that you’d like us to know? “I like music a LOT! I play the musical instruments; piano, acoustic guitar, drums & bongo. I am still learning how to play the acoustic guitar, I am best at the piano. My newest music that I play is All of Me.”
Name: “Ako’s Fish” Medium: Mixed media
What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “I am inspired by my mom and Miss Jenell to keep creating and look forward to making more projects!”
Why do you think art is important? – Why is it important for you? “It’s important because I can create what I like!”
Name: “Apple Tree” Medium: Acrylic Paint
Do you have a favorite color? “My favorite color is Red!” “My favorite color for my mom is Yellow, and my favorite color for Miss Jenell is blue, and my favorite color for Tux is black and White.”
Ako creating his foil embossing “
How has your artwork improved/what have you done to keep improving as an artist? “By taking art classes with Miss Jenell and mainting a weekly schedule”
Ako is always excited to create and make art! He enjoys the process of taking an idea and turning it into a finished piece. The enthusiasm and joy he brings to all of his artwork is inspiring – Keep up the good work Ako, can’t wait to see you grow as an artist!
A fun, simple & easy project to brighten your day! Create these fun flowers from basic supplies and give your decor a fun burst of colorful flowers!
What you need:
Tissue Paper in multiple colors
Green Pipe Cleaners
Scissors
Button
Step one: Cut out circles from your tissue paper – I use a roll of masking tape to trace and cut for size. You will need approx. 5 circles per flower. I chose to use shades of one color but you could do all the same color or multiple colors for one flower!
Step two: Thread about an inch of your pipe cleaner through your button.
Step three: Bend the inch piece of pipe cleaner in half and push back through another hole in your button. Twist the end to your stem to secure!
Step four: Cut your circles to give your flowers different appearances – here, I cut slits in a radial fashion to make my flower look more ruffle like! For the red flower I cut waves around the edge of my circle. I did this step to all 5 of my tissue paper layers. *Note: don’t have cuts too close to the center of your circles – this may cause them to tear easily in the next few steps!
Step five: Poke the end of your pipe cleaner through the center of your tissue paper circle, gently push your tissue paper all the way up the stem so it’s under your button! Gently crinkle your tissue paper around your button, repeat with all your other layers!
Step six: With all 5 layers on your stem, crinkle the papers up around your button, being careful not to tear your paper! This helps give our flower some more dimension!
Step seven: Carefully “fluff” out your flower petal layers so your center is visible again. You can go back and crinkle individual layers more if needed! You can also add a drop of tacky glue, hot glue, or wrap some floral tape around the stem where the tissue paper is to help hold it in place.
Step eight: To create a leaf, use another piece of pipe cleaner, place across your stem and twist it tightly around a few times to hold it in place. Bend each end back to the stem, creating a loop, and twist it to the stem to secure.
Step nine: Make more flowers! Try different cuts to achieve even more variations of flowers, use larger or smaller circles and create different size flowers! Give as a gift, use as a gift topper, make into pins, hair clips, or just place in a vase and enjoy!
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 June spotlight is on:
Eden Rush
Hi my name is Eden, I’m 17 years old and I’m going into 12th grade. I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember and I’m happy to be developing my own art style. Besides art, I love horseback riding, the beach, music, and antiquing.
Name: “Louis Tomlinson” Medium: Gouache and watercolor I found this picture of a artist that I like on Pinterest. I really liked the lighting in the photo so I painted it with a gouache set from hobby lobby.
How long have you been taking art lessons? “I have gone to art classes here and there ever since I can remember. My mom is an artist so I have also learned a lot from her. I have been taking Ms. Jenell’s classes in the art room for about two years now.”
Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “I have always loved art. I guess my mom saw that in me from a young age so she put in several art classes when I was younger. My love for horses has also helped to develop my art since horses were the only thing I drew for a while.”
Name: “Butterfly and Giraffe” Medium: Acrylic paint This is a piece that I completed last year after Christmas. Since I had done so many art pieces as gifts for others I wanted to make one for myself, so I did.
What is your favorite thing about art? “My favorite thing about art is the uniqueness of every artwork and artist. If you tell a group of artists to draw a cow each artwork produced would be totally different.”
What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “My favorite art mediums are graphite pencil, watercolor and gouache.”
Is there anything else about you that you’d like us to know? “I love the Beatles and Fleetwood Mac and a lot of my art is inspired by songs.”
Name: “The Queen of Hearts” Medium: Alcohol markers I did this drawing in one of Ms. Jenell’s paint draw sculpt classes. We were doing a playing card theme. I’m really happy with the colors and look of this picture.
What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “Honestly something that inspires me a lot to keep making artwork is displaying the finished pieces in my room. I’ve also always been really inspired by my mom who is an amazing artist. I grew up seeing my mom’s artworks everywhere and wanting to be like her in that aspect.”
Why do you think art is important? – Why is it important for you? “For me, art is so important because it is a way of expressing yourself. If you’re mad draw about it, if you’re happy draw something happy. There are endless possibilities with what you can create.”
Name: “Strawberry Teapot” Medium: Ceramic This is a tea pot that I completed in one of Ms. Jenell’s ceramics classes. It is the first ceramic piece that I have done. I love how it turned out.
Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “I love music! I often wish that I was a better singer but for now I’ve settled with learning the ukulele.”
Do you have a favorite color? “My favorite color changes pretty often but right now it is forest green.”
Name: “The Statue Graphite pencil” This is one of my favorite drawings that I’ve done. When I started it I almost gave up because it looked so rough in the beginning! I’m so glad I finished it! I also almost cut off the empty space above the people but I feel like it really adds to the completed drawing.
When you’re making your art do like to listen to music or watch tv for inspiration (if so what)? “I almost always listen to music or audio books when I’m working on an artwork.”
How has your artwork improved/what have you done to keep improving as an artist? “In the past year my ability to draw faces has improved a lot because I started drawing in a sketchbook way more often. I like to challenge myself with weekly goals depending on how busy I am.”
Eden is a talented artist who is always up for trying out new mediums and techniques. She takes on artistic challenges, and works hard with determination, to achieve what she set out to accomplish in her artwork – all while enjoying the process! Keep up the great work Eden!
Create your own magnet or key-chain of your furry friend on shrink film! Use a photo of your pet to trace an outline on shrink film, color you pet in, and then place your shrink film in an oven to shrink! Turn these mini pet masterpieces into a key chain or magnet! Learn more about Shrink film here!
What you’ll need:
A sheet of sanded shrink film (Learn how to make your own here)
Magnets and/or Key-chain pieces
Colored pencils
A fine point permanent marker
A photo of your pet approx. 3.5”x5” or 4”x6”
Scissors
Hole punch & Pliers if making a key-chain
Oven or Craft Oven
Step one: Print a picture of your pet – a head shot will work best, with clear details & good lighting. If you don’t have a pet or picture of your pet you can use a picture from a book or magazine! The photo should be at least 3.5”x5” or similar – I wouldn’t go much smaller as it will make details more difficult!
Step two: Place your shrink film over your pet’s photo with the rough/sanded side facing up. We will want to color on the sanded side!
Step three: With your permanent marker trace your pet; Tracing from a photo can be tricky – we want to include some details but not EVERYTHING, especially with shrink film as our artwork will become very small and details become more condensed. Focus on outlining the main features of your pet (like the eyes, nose, coloration spots) and the main outline.
Step four: Slide your outline off you photo to see what it looks like without your photo! Sometimes this helps us see what more we need to add! If needed, finish up any lines or details with the marker. You can also use the marker to color in any black areas (such as the pupils). *Tip: When making eyes be sure to leave a little white dot to help make them look more alive!
Step five: Color your pet in! Use the colored pencils to add color to your pet – you can make your drawing any color you’d like or similar to your pet’s real colors! The colored pencils will look very light on the shrink film – this is okay, when we “shrink” your film the colors will become more vivid and bright!
Step six: Be sure to color any white areas of your pet in with the white colored pencil – it’s hard to see on the shrink film before it’s shrunk but if we don’t add the white colored pencil these areas will look grey! You can also layer and blend your colored pencils to create different shades and shadows!
Step seven: Once you have your pet colored in you can add a background or outline!
Step eight: Cut out your pet – I like to leave a little border space around my drawing but you don’t have to do this. If you’re going to make your piece into a key-chain, make sure to leave an area where you can punch a hole!
Step nine: If you’re making this into a key-chain or anything else that you need a hole for, use a hole punch to create your hole before baking!
Step ten: Bake your shrink film! Place your shrink film in an oven @ 325* F for just a few minutes – You can bake it on a piece of parchment paper or tin foil on a baking sheet. You’ll notice your shrink film crinkles up and then will flatten back out as a much smaller and thicker piece of plastic. Once flat remove your shrink film & let cool.
Step eleven: Finish your shrink film! Add your key-chain piece by connecting the jump ring to your shrink film and key-chain part with pliers. Or adhere magnets to the back of your piece to create a magnet! These could also be made into zipper pulls, ornaments, hair clips, pins, necklaces, earrings, etc.! Check out other ideas for shrink film projects here!
Check out some of our current projects happening in the art room and how they’re made!
Having some fun at Roaring Point Campground the past month with kids crafts! We’ve created Thaumatropes, Embossed metal designs, String art, & origami hopping frogs!
Monthly classes have been working on ceramic pieces using hand-building techniques. They’ve created unique fun pencil holders and personal creations! We were also inspired by Alberto Giacometti: Students were asked to create a tall, lean figure depicting and action or movement with wire & tin foil armatures covered with paper mache!
Students finished up and created many different things this past month…..
Paper Mache & Paper Clay Sculptures! Students created an armature out of paper, cardboard, wire or tin foil, and used either traditional paper mache or are working with paper clay, to create 3-D sculptures! These are then finished with acrylic paints and extra details such as feathers, eyes, and more!
Charcoal water drops: Students created a watercolor wash and formed waterdrops with charcoal! Special attention was taken in creating shadows and highlights to give a 3-D appearance.
Watercolor & Pen: Using pen to give texture and shading to their drawings, students then used watercolor to add color!
Mixed Media & Collage: Using several different mediums and techniques in these pieces to create some fun, one of a kind, pieces of art! Expressing personal style and technique!
Painted botanicals on wood with acrylics – creating designs and patterns with shapes, colors & textures in a botanical theme!
Polymer clay faux taxidermy! Using polymer clay, students created miniature sculpted taxidermy pieces and turned them into magnets!
Students have been busy the past month working on creating collages inspired by children’s author and illustrator, Eric Carle. We have finally finished them all up and they are awesome! Students chose an animal as their collage subject, then drew the animal out. Using crayons, watered down acrylic paints, and stamps, they painted sheets of rice paper – incorporating several colors, textures and methods into each piece. Students then use their drawn animal as a template for cutting out their colorful papers and apply their cut-outs to their final paper. Finally students incorporate smaller details and design elements to their collage with crayons and/or pens.
Check out these projects you can do at home! And if you’re interested in upcoming classes check out the new session and summer art here!
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 May spotlight is on:
Isaac Clayton
I am a 14yr old homeschool student in the 8th grade. I enjoy art, soccer, spending time with my family and friends, eating, and the beach. I enjoy my church, have fun at youth group, and love to go to camp in the summer.
Pencil Sketch “This was just a rough sketch I made when I was working on more realistically showing movement in my art.”
How long have you been taking art lessons? “I started art lessons with Miss Jenell when I was about 9 years old.”
Why did you begin to take art lessons/how did you become interested in art? “When I was little, I always enjoyed art and crafts. As I got older, I started to work on more projects. One of the fun things I did with my friends was make up stories and illustrate them.”
What is your favorite thing you’ve ever created and why? “My favorite creation so far is my Mandalorian helmet. I made it out of just plain cardboard boxes, hot glue, wall spackling, and paint. I think it turned out quite well.”
Mandalorian Helmet “For this I used cardboard, hot glue, scissors, and wall spackling. I came up with the blueprint from some things I found online, and then scaled it to the correct size. After I finished, I painted it. For the visor, I used a covid face shield, so that’s kind of neat. I did this project during the shutdown, and I will always remeber that when I see the face shield visor.“
What are your favorite mediums and/or subjects for your artwork? “My favorite medium is just simple pencil and paper because I love to sketch. I also really enjoy painting and ceramics.”
Is there anything else about you that you’d like us to know? “I like cool t-shirts.”
Besides visual arts are you into any other art forms? “I really enjoy making costumes, especially superhero themed ones.”
Wall Mural “I was going stir crazy during the pandemic, and my mom wanted to repaint my room. I begged her to let me do a mural on one wall, and she agreed. This took me a long time to complete, but I love it! We went to Lowes and got several sample sized paints in the colors I needed. I sketched on the wall with my pencil first, then I began to paint. It was a long process, but it was worth it.”
What or who inspires you to create your artwork? “I don’t really have a specific thing or person that inspires my art, but some of my pieces are inspired by things I have seen or experienced. “
Why do you think art is important? – Why is it important for you? “I feel that our world without art would be boring. Art is fun, and it allows me to express myself even though I’m not a big talker.”
Do you plan to have a career in the arts? “I haven’t really thought that far ahead as far as a career in art goes. I want to be a missionary, but I’m sure that I could use my art in some beneficial way.”
Vans “I got into customizing my white vans. I did the first pair with one of my favorite shows, Avatar: The Last Airbender. I sketched with pencil first, then when I was happy with that, I used fabric markers to color them in. I used the same process with the Gravity Falls vans.”
Do you enter your artwork in any shows or contests? “I have entered two contests, and I won one. I have also had several pieces in the Ward Museum student art show.”
Is there a certain style, or type, of art that you’d like to someday try? “I’ve always wanted to get into digital art. I also think it would be awesome to use spray paints, kind of like street art or murals.”
Isaac takes his time, mindfully working on his creations with passion and determination. He always puts forth his best effort and focus into his work. It’s this perseverance and calm manner, along with openness to new mediums, ideas, & techniques, that help him grow and evolve in his artwork, and his humble personality is sure to inspire others!
Create some cool sand clay sculptures and pieces of art with this simple recipe! This clay recipe dries hard as a rock when left exposed to air or can be wrapped in plastic to save for another time! Finished sculptures can be dried out and displayed as is, or painted with acrylics! Gather shells, rocks, sea glass to press or encase in your clay. Make ornaments, wall hangings, or fossils!
What you need:
2 cups of sand (I used play sand but any sand will work!)
1.5 cups of all-purpose flour
1 cup of salt
Warm water (approx. 1-1.5 cups)
Mixing bowl & wooden spoon
Step one: Gather all your supplies!
Step two: Measure the flour, salt & sand in a mixing bowl.
Step three: Mix your flour, salt & sand together!
Step four: Add a little bit of warm water to your bowl at a time (around 1/2 cup at a time) and mix, then add a little more water & mix. Depending on if your sand was super dry or a little damp you may need more or less water – we want your clay to hold it’s shape, not be too crumbly, and we also don’t want it to be too wet and soggy. You may find it’s also easier as you get started to mix with your hands instead of a spoon! If you add too much water you can always add in a little more sand, flour, & salt, to firm it back up. Once completely mixed, the sand clay should not be too sticky and hold its shape!
Step five: Create with your sand clay! Make sculptures, faux fossils, hand print impression plaques, or draw a picture in the sand! Some examples of what I’ve done with the sand clay are below – get creative! Let you creations fully dry – this can take several hours to several days, depending on how thick & wet your clay is. Place it in the sun or use a fan to help speed up dry time! Once dry, clay becomes very hard and can be painted (I’ve used acrylics)!
Press shells and other beach finds into your sand clay!
Encase toys and add a little black acrylic paint to make a fossil!
Mount your sand clay art on foam board or painted cardboard – place in a shadow box frame!
Use cookie cutters to cut shapes into your sand clay & use a straw or skewer to add holes before it dries & string a ribbon to hang artwork with! Perfect coastal ornament & gift!
Put together a cute little table top garden complete with a handcrafted toadstools! Add your own finishing touches to your garden – like fairy houses, gnome houses, rocks, signs, etc.! These gardens are great for small indoor plants (these are not meant to be kept outdoors) and make great additions to desk, counter, windowsill, or sunny table centerpiece!
What you’ll need:
Decorative bowl or dish for your garden (I use a ceramic cereal bowl from the Dollar Store – it’s approx. 5″ wide)
Soil
Pebbles or rocks to add a drainage layer to your bowl
Faux moss – I use reindeer moss
Polymer clay (I use Sculpey III)
Toothpick or jumbo paper clip
Tin Foil
Chalk pastels
Soft paint brush
Wire – 18 gauge or similar, cut to approx. 2″ (this is only needed if you decide to use the paper clip – see instructions below!)
Scrap paper
Pliers for cutting & twisting the wire
MAKING YOUR GARDEN!
Step one: Place a layer of rocks or pebbles in the bottom of your bowl – this gives your plants some drainage so you’re roots aren’t sitting in water!
Step two: Fill you bowl with soil and top with your faux moss.
Step three: Make your toadstools! Use the directions here for a polymer clay toadstool bookmark to make your mushrooms! You can eliminate the paper clip and wire and replace it with a toothpick or wooden dowel instead (or the paper clip will also work as a stake for mushroom too)!
Step four: Plant seeds or small indoor plants in your bowl and water! Add you sculpted toadstools and any other creations or adornments!
Use a toothpick or wooden dowel instead of the paper clips if desired!
Get creative and add fairy houses, pathways, signs, rocks, shells, gems and more!
