Printable mustache cutout pattern for student art critiques

In order to teach art standards, I like to pull concepts right out of the students' work.  The students share their work in front of the class.  During our discussions, the students are learning to use fine art vocabulary about elements of design etc.

Well, in order to make this process even more fun, I showed them pictures of Salvador Dali and his mustache.  I printed this template out and placed it over several pieces of black card stock and cut them all though at once.  I handed the mustaches to the students to wear during our art critique.  I gave them little pieces of tape, but next time I would use dowels so the students could simply hold them up.  You would never imagine how excited the students were to have these paper mustaches.  It was so much fun!

In-Home Art Therapy lessons and classes for the elderly in Tucson (or Alzheimer's or Parkinson's)

Some moments in this job seem nothing less than miraculous.  I've always been drawn to working with children, but in the last few years I've also been given the opportunity to work with elderly adults.  I'm amazed by how much joy it brings!  My clients are often depressed.  They are frustrated by forgetfulness and loss of freedom.  In art class there's nothing to worry about.  It adds greatly to quality of life in the moment and remains as something beautiful as a reminder and inspiration.  One student set aside a whole room of her house as a gallery for her paintings.  It was beautiful!  The projects we make are also great gifts.  Last year we made Christmas cards out of the images.   I offer sessions in polymer clay and chalk pastel painting.  Many of the projects are similar to what you see on this blog, but I'll try to post more.  For my chalk pastel classes, I bring in a photograph and an example of how that image can be interpreted through chalk pastels.  Then we each make our own picture while I give step-by-step instruction.  This works even when my students can't hear what I'm saying.  My favorite part is when my student gets into the flow, stops paying attention, and continues with the painting, making all the choices on her own!

To try out a session or set one up for someone you love, call me at 235-8877.  Sessions are $30 per hour.  Feel free to invite a friend or two and split the cost.

The Dot (a note to myself)

Last week was my first day back at Cornerstone.  Our class meets after school in their art room.  As we all piled in, excited to get to know one another and start creating, one of the students saw the book, The Dot by Pete H. Reynolds propped up in the front of the room.  "Please read it!,"  he begged.  I did, and I loved it!  The book is about a little girl who learns complete confidence and freedom in expressing herself with paint.  It would be great intro to..., well any project really, but I was thinking about abstract expressionism.

This post is a note to myself because I want to get this book soon, and read it to all my classes!

Clay as Physical Therapy

Last month when I was visiting my grandma in Oregon, we spent much of our time going over exercises prescribed by her physical therapist.  Amongst the sparse collection of accessible belongings on the counter was a blob of what looked like silly putty.  She was supposed to press her fingers into it, one at a time, in order to strengthen her hands and fingers.  "If only I had my clay here!", I thought... and I came home with an idea.

Wednesday morning was very special.  I took some FIMO soft over to the house of an elderly friend in the first stages of dementia.  On her fridge in large letters was a reminder for her: "Do your hand exercises!"  I showed her, one step at a time, how to make sunflowers and roses.  It's wonderful because she doesn't need to be able to hear or remember more than one step at a time.  I made one right along side her.  Mixing and kneading the clay with both hands, she didn't even know she was doing "exercise".

I don't know anything about physical therapy, and I used to be very uncomfortable with elderly people.  If I can do this, anyone can.  Giving others a means to engage with, and create beauty is such a wonderful gift!   I keep discovering for myself why this blog is called Creator's Joy.

Cube Books!

I've spent the afternoon trying to organize some of my reference materials. I try to collect all the images I can. Calendars are GREAT! I also use old magazines and even catalogs. I've found some great books for under a dollar at local thrift stores. Often these are the gift or coffee table books that are full of beautiful photos. Some of the books are in poor enough condition that I don't feel bad cutting them up for collage.

One day I was in Bookmans and I found a "Cube Book" entitled FLOWERS. I was thrilled! Every page has a beautiful photograph! I started to wonder if there were more Cube Books so I decided to check on Amazon. These are amazing! I have all the pictures I could possibly want. I can't wait to get them all! A few of them aren't quite what I expected, for example, the HORSE book has mostly working horses rather than as many of the idyllic images children like to draw.

The pictures I used for the Georgia O'Keeffe lesson came from a Flowers Cube Book.

Teaching Art in the New Year

It's time to take a fresh look at the way I teach. My students and I have some very special memories of creating beautiful things together, and I think most of what I've taught has been valuable and helpful. Still, I can't help this nagging feeling that I don't always get it right. To be honest, I hate having the students copy my work. I DO believe structure is important. The type of structure needed will vary with the project and stage of development.

The other day I picked up Young at Art by Susan Striker. I started reading it right away. It was both inspiring and convicting.

Of course, it all depends on what my program is about. Are my classes meant to build technical skills, art understanding, or problem solving/creativity? Are my classes academic, recreational, therapeutic? I teach in such different contexts that I end up doing all of the above!

It's important to me that the projects I present encourage risk-taking, creativity, expression, confidence and problem solving. It's also very important that the projects are developmentally appropriate. I need to focus on the process, not the product. This is hard for me because I'm afraid the parents won't like the classes if they don't like their student's work. I also want the students to be proud of their work. It's time for me to be brave. There should be no fear in art. Neither creating nor teaching it!

Christmas Workshop

When I was little I wanted to be one of the elves in Santa's Workshop. What could be better than working all day to make beautiful things to brighten other's lives? As an adult I've conducted Christmas workshops every year. Christmas camps at Youth Haven Desert Ranch, Christmas parties at GAP Ministries, soup kitchens, and of course, special workshops for my students. This is an opportunity for students to make Christmas presents for their families. This year my workshops will be held at Trinity dance studio. I beautiful little boxes and bags at Tucson Store Fixtures for the students to wrap the presents they make.

Painting as Therapy?

Add the spray and the foam at the tips of the waves and the base of the rocks. Remember the spray in the background will be dull and misty. Save the bright white for the foreground.

Oops! I forgot to photograph a step! The atmospheric perspective is very important. Mix the dark brown in to the gray a little at a time. The rocks in the background will be lighter and smaller. They will almost disappear into the horizon. The rocks get darker and browner as the come forward until they are a pure, dark brown. They will also have thicker paint up close. The reflections are much easier than they look. Just a few smooth strokes back and forth.



Paint the blue sky at the top, the white clouds, and blend gray into the white as it get darker towards the horizon line.

I used water soluble oils for this, but acrylic would work too. I used white, light blue, brown, and gray. Ideally, the brown and gray will be mixed from the same blue as the sky.

This is what I came up with for yesterday's project. I feel like Bob Ross! All my students are children except one. Out of the blue a lady called and asked if I would teach her mom to paint. Her mom has Parkinson's and she said that it is important for her to keep using her hands. I don't know much about this yet, but almost all my life I've been passionate about the idea of using art as therapy. Both physical and otherwise. I'm not at all confident in my ability as a painting instructor, but I've found some projects that these ladies really enjoy!

Teaching Private Art Classes

I'm overwhelmingly grateful for the turn my life has taken this last year! I'm no longer substitute teaching, but rather working full time as a private art teacher. If only I'd kept a blog of the journey thus far!. There's no way I could have anticipated the challenges and blessings I've encountered working for myself. Every week I pour hours of work into each lesson. It feels like an extravagant luxury, but I keep telling myself that someday I'll use the lessons again. While I'm sure that's true, I also want to share them with others. At a time when so many people are out of work, I'd love to see other artists/teachers use what I've learned. Each post will have a new lesson or idea.