Is It Me...

...or are these new paintings beyond great?  I think this project is an example of how talented, committed and brave my group of artists are. 

Maggie "Dance" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Chaney "Strength" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite. Chaney at work drying his first undercoat, below.

Sky "Joy" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Topher "Tastes Like" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite. 

Topher at work sketching his outlines, below.

Jesse "Omnipotent" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Aoife "Key" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite. Below, Aoife at work. 

Amelia B. " XOXOXO" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Gemma " I See You" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Simon "Every Day I Love You" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Beau "Transform" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

  

I created this project after looking through a recent Sundance catalog that came in the mail. The catalog featured a collection of small folk art style paintings that had simplified imagery, strong neutrals, and a word, or words in them. 

Annie Louise "Lie" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Faith  "Possible" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Hady "My Secret Wish" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Clara "Fantastic" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Zarinah "Capture" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Lukas "Dream" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite, above. Lukas at work below. 

Marco. " Dream" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Katie "Expected" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Michelle "Yes" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite. And the beaming Michelle, below, with her finished painting.

Zeah "Yes" 2' x 2' Acrylic on Masonite

Ellie "My Secret Wish" 2' x 2' Acrylic on Masonite

Johnny "Alliance" 2' x 2' Acrylic on Masonite

Charlotte "Wish" 2' x 2' Acrylic on Masonite

Leah "If' 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Kassi "Yes" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Juni "Hello" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

I knew that the kids talents lent themselves to this project if I could help them to edit their ideas, understand the importance of neutral colors and to think about words and how when combined with imagery they can create a whole new "image" or "story." 

AiLi "Contact" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Thalia "Yes" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Ummi "My Secret Wish" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Ilana Rose "Comfort" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Liam "I'm on My Way" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

James "Before" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Raziah "Company" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite, above. Raziah with her work below.

Sumayyah 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite. Below, the fabulous Sumayyah with her painting. 

Amity "Expected" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Charlotte "Wish" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Amber"Family"  2' x 2' Acrylic on Masonite

Liris "Secret" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

 This was a hard project for kids! I was a toughie that insisted on following the parameters. I shot down a million ideas! Miss Monique and I worked separately with each artist at almost every stage of their planning and painting. We supported, talked through choices, and delighted in all the success. I am very proud of the work. Each artist is too. I hope you enjoy.

Ivy "Free" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Sumayyah "Love" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Izzy "Dream Love" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite. Below, Izzy touching up her outlines, below.

Maya "Discover" 2'X 2' Acrylic on masonite 

Love is Everywhere

Using empty toilet paper and paper towel rolls and a little paint and ribbon, we created these hanging sculptures to enjoy for Valentines Day. There was a huge amount of variety and vivaciousness to each sculpture, although they were very hard to capture with the camera lens. Here are just a few;

Beau's piece above turned out very close to his initial sketch. Hearts and spirals!

Katie above, wearing her project like a giant necklace.

Each artist also wrote on a heart about something they love, pinned it to the dress form and that itself became a work of art and love! By the end of the week the dress form was covered.

"Grandma & Grandpa"  "My Dog," "Star Wars," "Music," "Magic The Gathering," "Money," "Iggy, my dog," " My cats, my fish, my hermit crab," "Chocolate," "Mama & Dada," "Candy," "Halo 4," "My dog Foxy," "World of Tanks," "Life," "My friends," "Turkey Bacon," etc.

 Way to go Chaney (above)! Cool the way the flower seems to be bursting with hearts!

I love the way AiLi added a pig face, above!

Amelia created a wonderful bunny, then decided to keep it separate from her piece.

 Topher (piece above) can always pull of an amazing piece, and do a whole bunch of playing and running during break and have a full snack. How can he fit it all in?

Introducing the fabulous Zeah. A natural artist and so much zest and personality!

Love is everywhere!

Zarinah perfectly dressed for Valentine's Day!

 Lukas is a innovative builder, always finding a new way to construct and create! This piece had a lot of movement too (above).

 Aoife created a unique 'window to the soul' with hearts and a spray of flowers! See the heart on the right? I love the way it's bursting out of the frame!



I love Jesse's colors, style and enthusiasm!

 Ellie created in an Alice in Wonderland inspired tea party theme. Wow! Love it!

 The studio wall with my samples and plenty of hearts!



Raziah with her masterpiece. Love her style! See her details below?

 I like the way Johnny added words to his layered flower and heart motif, above.



Charlotte finished hers in time to leave a little early! Have fun at Disneyland!

AiLi and Leah and I waiting for paint to dry.

Amelia B. tops hers off with a pretty bow, above.

"F" for  Faith! Or is the "F" for fabulous?  (Detail below)

Maya with her colorful "Hearts & Flowers."



I'm such a lucky Mom to receive this piece! Thank you my darling Annie!

Amity rocks the design and pushes the envelope with all the materials! Above and below.

Clara above, covered in hearts!

Sumayyah with her finished piece. No fear of glue gun's for this little gal!

Hady's piece was full of fun. A flying cat, her families initials and so much more. Hady, below, showing off her work!

Bene enjoying the sunshine at pick-up time. What a fabulous week.