Stained Glass Fake-Out

To get students ready for the new school year, I planned a relaxing project for First Friday Art Club in September.  I've seen fake stained glass projects and had them on the "To Do" list for awhile, but a colleague highly suggested this technique, having recently succeeded in the same lesson with a mixed age group.

Blueprints, tracings and color

In order to create a stained glass project, an artisan will create a drawing.  The drawing will then get scaled to the size of the window or project they are creating.  The scaled drawing is called a blueprint and used quite like a blueprint for architecture.  My students were given some time to sketch out a plan for their blueprint using office copy paper.

Careful coloring

Once the blueprint was finalized, each student took wax paper to create their fake stained glass.  I tried to equate the simplified techniques to actual glass preparation.  Students were told to "cut" their glass by tracing their blueprint with pencil onto the less waxy side of the wax paper.  The less waxy side of the paper accepts the marker ink better than the shiny side.  Once their drawing was transferred, color could be added to the composition.

"This part is my favorite."

The coloring phase excited everyone like the coloring pages that have become very popular.  I had some concern that this project would be too simple and quick for this age group, so I planned to let any quick workers make another.  Luckily that was not an issue.  Each student took their time planning their projects and placing the color precisely inside the lines.

Bold lines and Big shapes

I suggested to keep lines and shapes big and less complex.  No glass maker wants to cut sliver sized pieces of glass.  Adding the lead came or copper foiling would make the process almost unbearable.  With that idea understood and coloring wrapping up, each project needed to be taped to a matte board frame with the fake lead came applied afterward. 

Puffy Paint to the Rescue

The lead came replacement for this project was puffy paint.  I showed the option to outline the shapes in each composition with black sharpie, but also showed the puffy paint example and everyone gravitated toward that look.  By framing the wax papers first, the projects were less flexible and easier to take home, even with wet paint. 

Simple instruments

This project is achievable for many age levels and has been proven successful with varied ages in the same class.  Sharpie markers are suggested for their ability to stay and not smudge on the wax paper.  Rulers, copy paper, puffy paint and pencils were other simple instruments used to created this relaxing project.  No glass means no fingers cut!

Hold it up to the Light

Holding these finished projects up to a window let them truly shine. 

Simple and Sweet

Larger shapes to give the viewer's eye more to view would 

make this composition even more lovely.

Simplified Landscape

This artist skipped the black puffy paint at first, but then added it later.  Good choice!

Color every Inch

This artist chose to color every inch of her composition. I feel this was the closest resemblance to stained glass and would love to see it in glass form....

any makers ready to take on that challenge?

This wraps up another month of First Friday Art Club.  Join us in October for harp & heART with Maryalice Little.  There's still time to register!

Thanks for visiting!

~erica

Coil Creations

Coil Coaster

First Friday Art Club in August went in stitches.  Coil Creations was the fiber based theme, which proved to be more of a struggle than originally anticipated.

Just getting Started

The process to make a vessel by coiling is to take a base cord (we had clothes line, paracord, and very thick yarns to test), then wrap the cord with a thinner string and stitch with a needle.

That's the method!

There were fourteen eager students ready to create something that afternoon.  Many factors lead to a struggle with this project.  In general, kids do not sew or even hold a sewing needle in these modern, technology laden days.  It was hard for the students to understand the flow of the thread through the cord.

Round & Round

Sewing is a skill prevalent in my life and I had the 

assumption that this knowledge is shared in school.  I quickly learned that our tutorial with terrific pictures lacked the simple steps of moving the thread through the coils, keeping the string fluid and avoiding knots.

A table surface was helpful

 Luckily there were two other adults ready to help with the process, but the string kept defeating these makers.  Poor quality embroidery floss continued to knot upon itself, causing loads of frustration.  Good thing we had persistence to finish the project.

Tons of Time

This project took lots of patience on the part of teacher and student.  My sample, seen at the beginning of this post, only grew to coaster size, but some students were determined to make a true container.  This little pink vessel above seemed fit for a fairy.

Practice Makes Perfect

Some students learned this process on their own time at home.  After several attempts, they discovered their mistakes and were able to cruise through this class.  Practice makes perfect with any skill.  Pushing forth can lead to a beautiful final project, but I admit this time-consuming process is not for most.  Hands can cramp, needles can disappear on the floor, and string will always knot.  

Keep trying

While we put our struggles behind us, check back in September when we make Stained Glass Fake Out drawings.  This should be a relaxing project to prep the mind for the first days of school.  It will be a colorful experience.

Thanks for visiting!

~erica

Steampunked Costumes

Our annual Library Unmasked event occurs at the end of July.  In order to pump up excitement, we hosted a Steampunked Costumes First Friday Art Club.

"Antiqued" Apothecary Jars

To create some Mischief, I worked on antiquing plastic bottles to look like old apothecary jars.  The tutorial I found was perfect to create some decorative elements for the after-hours party.  Taking any bottle from home (Listerine became Mischief Powder), writing a label in marker, tracing it with hot glue for raised lettering, then painting the whole thing with acrylic paints and sponges created a mottled looking bottle perfect for any Halloween or Steampunk party.

Laser Cut Cogs

Cogs and Gears are pertinent elements in Steampunk.  A library staffer discovered how to laser cut using the Steele Memorial Library maker space. We made pins and had enough masonite left over to create some gears for this program.  Quite a lovely and easy necklace.

Cuffs for Protection

Cuffs were easy to create using toilet paper tubes and hole punches.  After cutting the tube in half to open it, this student covered it in gray duct tape, then punched holes and laced it up like a sneaker.

Geared up Gear

This hat was going to the thrift store donations, but was rescued to make Geared up Gear.  

Upcycled!

These plaid shorts were upcycled pajamas.  This student never created steampunk gear, but quickly caught the punking bug by transforming the shorts into a skirt with lace, trims and even made a hat to top off the ensemble.

Can't Get enough Cuffs

Taking old items and making them new, Upcycling, is the best way to create a costume on the cheap.  I stash trinkets and unusual items for programs like these so that there is something to inspire everyone.  Spray and acrylic paints also take those old items to a new level of cool.

Paint and Glue makes New

The kids who created in this program got excited to attend an after-hours party at the library.  Most were not familiar with the Steampunk theme, but quickly caught on and were ready to bring their best cosplay to the event.  We look forward to seeing their final look on July 28, 2017, 6:30-9 pm.

See you There!

Thanks for visiting.  Check back in August to view our Coil Containers.

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Cyanotypes

The SSC Library First Friday Art Club explored cyanotype printing on June 2.  Special guest instructor, Marnie Lersch, led the exploration.

Cyanotypes, GO!

Marnie defined the term cyanotype by breaking down the word.  Cyan is blue and type meaning print, so you can say this is like a blue print.  Having worked in a blue printing facility, we were lucky to NOT smell the diazo process, which can knock out a person with the ammonia fumes.

Chemical Overview

Students who arrived early got a chance to peruse the sample and supply table.  Marnie showed interested parents the chemicals which we would use to complete the process.  These chemicals are light sensitive, meaning they need to be kept out of sunlight.  Since they are hazardous, everyone was instructed to wear gloves while applying the liquid mixture to the fabric being used.

Safety First when Working

First step in this class was to prepare our fabric with the light sensitive chemical mixture. Using foam brushes, rubber gloves, and table cloths, each student was responsible for this step. We often remind our students that safety is always first when making art.  We only get one set of lungs and the skin we're in, so they have to last a lifetime.

Time to add the Goodies

Once the chemical application was dry, it turned a pea-green hue and it was time to get creative.  Using items we collected from the garden and an array of interesting shaped goodies, each student took time to compose their image.  This required a bit of thinking about positive and negative space, as well as transparent versus opaque density.

Wrapped and Protected

After composing their imagery, the students wrapped up their fabric on a cardboard sheet sandwiched by bubble wrap and secured with clothes pins.  There was a whipping wind to contend with outside and we did not want all of the loose items to go flying!

Waiting for the Sun

Once outside, the sun was in control of this project.  

Each student was a watch-guard protecting their projects from the wind.

Make your Mark

I tested this process and teamed up with a student with a bubble wrap experiment.  "What will happen if we leave the bubble wrap on?," we wondered.  As the sun processed the image, this student took a chance to use her body as her signature!

Expose in the Sun for about 10 minutes

After about 5-10 minutes of bright sun exposure, the chemicals on the fabric turned a slate gray/ green tone and Marnie told us to wash our fabrics in clean water.  This was a fast action of tossing materials into bins and rushing to the water tubs to process the image.

Leaves and Seashells were flying!

If you can imagine the flock of leaves, seashells, glass nuggets, and macaroni literally flying into storage bins, the mad rush panicked everyone to make sure they finished their projects before the end of class.  Washing the fabric in water surprised everyone at how fast the fabric turned from green to blue.  The imagery everyone composed was so gorgeous.  This project offered immediate gratification.  Who doesn't like that?!

Success

The variety of blue tones this process offers is quite lovely.  I have a blue love-affair and believe I will further explore this process in my home studio.  One parent who enjoyed the results of this process envisions a Cyan Family Room.  She took notes on the chemicals needed and borrowed some books to further investigate.  If you have interest to learn how to make cyanotypes, visit this Alternative Photography for more information.  

Check back in July to see what Steampunk Costumes our crew creates as they prepare for the ever-epic Library Unmasked: Steampunk Edition cosplay event.

Until then, thanks for visiting!

~erica

Earthscapes with The Rockwell Museum, part 2

We played with clay for the SSCL First Friday Art Club in May.  If you take a moment to read Part 1 of this Earthscapes project, you will know that this clay portion represents a topographical view of a landscape for which our dream homes will be placed.

Amy's and My Earthscape Sample

Amy Ruza from The Rockwell Museum and I met earlier in the month to make the sample you see above.  There are forests, fresh water, mountains and fields within our landscape. 

The clay is terracotta, which has a beautiful brown hue, lending itself to the Earth-like feel.

Roll out a slab and create dimension

The students were instructed to roll out a 1/4" thick slab of clay cut to the size of a sheet of paper.  Then, they placed the clay slabs over crumpled paper to give the clay dimension.  

It was required that each slab touch the table surface on two sides in order to provide

holes meant for hanging vertically on a wall.  

A river runs through it

Once the slabs were rolled out and placed on cardboard sheets for transport and holes were prodded, students had their own choices to make.  Including a fresh water source was HIGHLY encouraged.  It was fun to watch these lumps of mud transform before our eyes!

Rivers, valleys, caves, and VOLCANOES!

Land features such as rivers, valleys, caves and even VOLCANOES developed over these lands.  These adventurous artists represented their own ideas, but also shared their expertise as other students showed interest in certain elements

Let the Underglaze Begin

After the clay landscape was approved, it was time to add color with underglaze.  Blue represented water and the sample above shows a lovely winding river, accessible throughout the land.  Forests for food and exploration were a popular feature.

Each countdown made them frantic

We only have an hour and a half in First Friday Art Club and every minute is precious.  To keep students aware, I give them incremental countdowns until cleanup.  They are always so shocked and disappointed when I say we only have 20 minutes left.  "TWENTY MINUTES?! How did class fly by so quickly?!"

Countdowns make them Hustle!

As you can see, the before and after show how these kids can hustle to get the job complete.  Green grasses, white capped mountains and streams of blue covered our tables.

Fallen Tree

This student considered having a fallen tree available for fire wood when he moves his house here this summer.  The river will be a helpful form of transportation to get that tree to his home!  I'm impressed by that thought process for such a young student.

Off to the kiln

Now that the Earthscapes have been created, they must get fired in the kiln.  The Rockwell Museum has their own kiln and will provide this service.  The items will take two weeks to dry before being fired.  Many students wanted to take these home next week!  

There was a minor lesson in how ceramics get processed.

The SSC Library will exhibit these Earthscapes in July and August as part of the 

summer reading club theme, "Build a Better World."  

Accessibility to art always helps create a better world!

Thanks for visiting this month and checking on our progress.  I'll be sure to show you the Earthscapes on display, but until then, seek the First Friday Art Club blog in June to see what we make with a little help from the sun with Cyanotypes.

~erica

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