Here We Go!

Well, it's been unusually cooler the past two days and there's that certain something in the air that almost smells like fall is right around the corner. Which can only mean one thing... school is almost back in session! Though it may be sad to see summer vacation come to a close, it's great to be back in the art room. Unpacking my big supply order is like Christmas morning for me- seeing the crisp blank canvases stacked up in piles on the shelf, putting out new clean brushes, unsharpened pencils and full bottles of paint, organizing the reams of white and colored papers just waiting to be turned into a masterpiece... It's all just a reminder that it is time for me to return to the amazing job I am so lucky to have- sharing with students the joy, importance and significance of art in the human experience.

I hope you're as excited as I am, and I do hope you'll check in often to see the unbelievable work of Calvert's talented artists... Here we go!!!!!!!!!

Art Camp- Week 2

Here are some highlights from our exciting second week of art camp! We painted wooden frames with colorful designs and summer themes:

Campers made a cool vase using two bowls, a balloon and paper mache, then painted and decoupaged with fun designs on top. We also created tissue paper bouquets to go in the vases- I love these!!

Glazed ceramic ice cream bowls were a big hit!

Campers created a stamp using styrofoam squares and used colored tempera paint and paper to make a set of stationary complete with envelopes!

We made carp kites using watercolor resist (crayon outlines resist the watercolor) and added tissue paper streamers- this was my favorite; I think they're awesome!

Campers lined up on the last day with their creations!

Art Camp- Week 1

I know, I know... it's August and I have yet to blog about my other camps after Jewelry. The busyness (and laziness) of summer got in the way! So, here are some highlights from Week 1 of Lower School Art Camp in which I had 20 campers ranging from 7th-10th Age!
We made marbled paper using shaving cream and swirled watercolor paints, which we later turned into laminated bookmarks:

Campers used Venetian glass tiles and glass "globs" to mosaic terra cotta flower pots which they later grouted:

Campers also made seed paper using paper pulp, seeds and tissue paper that would later become the center of a big flower to be planted in the mosaic pots (scroll down for pictures):

We glazed ceramic mugs for Father's Day (which fell the Sunday after camp)- there were lots of different "Dad" designs:

Campers used acrylic paint to decorate oval plaques to hang on bedroom doors or walls. "Keep Out" was a popular theme!

Waiting in line to clean brushes, goofing off:

Once the plaques dried, we attached a thick ribbon for hanging:

Here are the completed mosaic flower pots and seed paper flowers:

Some of the glazed mugs after being fired in the kiln:

One of my high school counselors celebrated her 17th birthday during camp- the kids were excited to tell her how much they loved her!

And of course we had cupcakes too:

One of our biggest projects, I have few pictures of. The campers made these paper mache piggy banks using 2 liter soda bottles, egg cartons and acrylic paint- they are very cute!

One of my favorites- Students were inspired by the artist Wayne Thiebaud and painted the quintessential summer treat (ice cream cones!) using acrylic paint on canvas boards. I taught campers to apply highlights and shadows to their pieces and they turned out great!

We used Sculpey polymer clay and wire to create these whimsical and colorful insects!

Last but not least, campers also tie-dyed their white camp t-shirts to create these unique works of wearable art!