Friday Finds: Abstract Art Project Ideas

I've been working on a new article, Abstract Art with Children.  Here were my top 3 project picks I featured in the article:

Abstract Stamp It Art, I did this project beginning of last summer with Cy.  Using kitchen tools/ utensils & recyclables and toys Cy dipped them in paint and stamp them on his paper making a composition.

DIY printmaking using styrofoam meat trays, dull pen or pencil to draw on.  Haven't done this one with Cy yet but it's on the list- photo/project link tinkerlab.com

If you have a salad spinner in your kitchen you HAVE to do this project with your kids.  I've done it with Cy and the EXPLORE ART class- haven't posted about it yet sorry.  Cut paper to fit and drop paint into spinner let the kids go.  So much fun, image/project link A Little Bit of Sunshine Blog.

EXPLORE ART: Sage's 1st Art Video

I've been waiting to share this short video clip of Sage making art.  It was a pretty successful art session, he didn't try and eat the brushes or paint and had fun exploring what they could do. 

EXPLORE ART: Mini Wassily Kandinsky Lesson

betsybear-artist.blogspot.com

Wassily Kandinsky is a largely recognizable artist, many have seen his artwork- repeated circles in squares reproduced in many doctor offices and ideas for this project are all over the web.  Here's a little mini lesson, with a little background about Kandinsky with some fun facts for working with children.  He was a truly influential artist if you can take the time to read more about him, his theories and his influence on modern art. 

Kandinsky is quoted for saying Color is the keyboard, the eyes are the harmonies, the soul is the piano with many strings. The artist is the hand that plays, touching one key or another, to cause vibrations in the soul.

Kandinsky is known for his associations of art/color with music.  He saw the opportunities that art had to make the impressions music can have on a person. Kandinsky was fascinated with the emotional powers of music and how they can be interpreted and transformed by one's imagination and emotional response. 

Kandinsky was one of the founders of the art movement the Blue Rider, which focused on revealing the properties of line, color and composition.  It also had ties and influences with cubism, fauvism, primitive and medieval art. 

paintinghere.com

Kandinsky related spontaneous paintings to "Improvisations" as titled the piece above and more concentrated works "Compositions".  Take a look at his abstract art work and open up discussion with your child.

What type of colors does Kandinsky use in his art work?  How does he use line?  What do you think of his composition and how he uses lines, colors, shapes throughout his art work?

And then get into some fun questions: What type of music does this work remind you of?  Is it real fast, loud music, maybe soft and slow?  Ask your child what type of music do they like and how do they think they could paint it?

If you have the opportunity turn on some music and let your children paint what they feel, hear in the music.  This would be a fun "Improvisational"  Kandinksy piece.  Cyrus and I worked on more of a "Composition" Kandinsky project last weekend.  I showed him several examples of his work and we reproduced his version of the circles in squares artwork.  

Cy used paper, crayons and watercolors.  I folded the paper in half width wise and then into equal quarters, to have eight squares.  I demonstrated how to draw different color consecutive circles in each square.

Talk about the different types of colors you can use in this project and the type Kandinsky used.  Kandinsky developed many theories about colors, their energies and spirituality in art.  While you don't have to get too deep in philosophical discussion with your child talk about the calming nature of the circles they are making.  Children like the recognizable shape, as it's something they are comfortable with they get to repeat it throughout this project gaining more familiarity with it.

Once they have drawn their desired amount of consecutive circles in each square with the crayons get out the watercolors.  They can paint their choice of colors over the colored circles.  This is a great opportunity to talk with your child about how colors relate and for them to experiment with how different colors look next to each other. 

Music and art are two great avenues for children to learn, explore and express themselves.  While I can't play a note or even hum in tune I'm  glad my husband is a "music freak" as he likes to say and presents the opportunities for both kids to be exposed to different types and kinds of music.  I know art isn't everyone's thing but like music you don't have to be able to create a masterpiece yourself to appreciate it.  

 Cy's developing his own appreciation for each, Saturday by his request he was listening to Sean's dub Pandora station and making sticker art pictures on the living room floor.  Pretty neat, unique 4 1/2 year old and I'm glad I can say he's mine! 

We're finally getting back into the swing of things for 2012, I've updated the EXPLORE ART page  with direct links to our last projects. We're even up to two baby/toddler art projects with Sage!  I'm excited to share another with you next week, a big first for Sage my 18 month old. 

Cyrus' 2012 Valentine's

The evolution of Cyrus' valentines for Pre-K

Stick with me, that's 12 silly mustaches........

on 12 cooky glasses........

 

with 12 goofy faces............

 

and what will they make with 12 kissy lips?

Cyrus adds in the finishing touches and .....

12 very silly, cooky, goofy, kissy "mustache" face valentines!

Happy Valentine's Day 2012-- may your day be filled with love and lots of little smiles!

Friday Finds: Valetine's

 We're finishing up Cy's valentine's for his Pre-K class this weekend.  I'll have to post pics, because well they're pretty awesome.  But in the mean time here's some other great ideas I've seen out there. Enjoy:

thecraftingchicks.com

 love this idea, it's easier than it looks at makingitfeellikehome.blogspot.com

skiptomylou.org

 skiptomylou.org

Explore Art: Mini Marc Chagall Lesson

I introduced Cy to a new artist this weekend.  Something fun that I knew would inspire a little art making.  Marc Chagall is a modernist painter who dabbled in a little bit of everything from expressionism, symbolism, cubism and fauvism.

Chagall is a great artist to look at with children.  His work is often "fancy free" and at times "childish" it is inspired by his own childhood, scriptures, Russian folk art and icon paintings.  Chagall provokes thoughts of fantasy, dreams and childhood imagination.

wikipedia.org

Chagall's Me and My Village is one of his most recognizable paintings.  It also illustrates a few of his styles, Chagall wastes no space in using every portion of his canvas, he is also well noted for bold, bright and vibrant color reminiscent of the Fauvist.  You can see Chagall's interest in Cubism in this image, his use of multiple view points and geometric shapes to create an image.

wikipedia.org

wikipedia.org

Chagall considered his style and images part of his own personal language, symbols and images that were meaningful to him.  He is also recognized for his everyday scenes and quirky motifs like the fiddler.  

Chagall is just a fun artist to look at with children, it gets down to their level. Images and scenes are recognizable while also being fun and playful.  They provoke creativity and imagination as children see it's okay to express yourself and dream in the world of art.

Google Marc Chagall and take a look at some of the images that come up from his paintings.  Let your child look on and open up an art discussion. 

What do they think of the artwork?

How does it make them feel?

What do they see?  Does it look like real life or a dream?

How would you make a dream/ fantasy picture?

What colors would you use?

-and so on, see where the conversation goes and if they'll be inspired for a little art making when you're done.

Here's Cy's Chagall inspired art work:

His pink circus girl who later turned into the ballerina.  He was using "mixed media" something else new we were talking about- crayons, markers and watercolors. 

You never know where art or life will take you -- enjoy the moment

Friday Finds: ART BLOGS

Some other blogs focusing and children's art.  Enjoy!

Art for Small Hands great project based ideas from an art teacher with 25 years experience.
"This website is for any adult — teachers, parents — looking for step-by-step guidance in how to instruct and develop, without overwhelming or dampening, the artist inside every child."

Dilly-Dali Art blog by a stay at home mom with two young daughters, who holds art groups.  Focuses on the process over the product of art.

Artful Parent is pretty well known.  I like her approach and project ideas.  She also gives reviews and engages discussion about views on art and children.

Deep Space Sparkle is a very organized art teacher site.  Offers tons of free art project ideas, she even sells full lesson plans. 

Crafty Crow- craft collective I love this site.  Sign up for their daily email newsletter, I get excited for the morning email with tons of craft/ art ideas. 

Growing up creative someone who shares my thoughts it's okay to draw/paint on the wall- not so sure my husband would agree!

Laugh Paint Create, fabulous site for famous artist, structured projects! Teaching artist and mom who works in art museum doing children's art classes.

Teach Kids Art a site for teachers or moms with project ideas.  Art is part of a well rounded education!

 Preschool Picasso I friend from high school who just started a children's art blog.  Lindsey's an art teacher and mom.  Love your projects!