Mad Monster Masks....well, Maybe

October is the month for monsters, masks and mayhem!  I LOVE HALLOWEEN!  I also love making my costumes, so I planned First Friday Art Club around making masks this October. I wanted to share my skills and love of costume design, but I was not thoroughly prepared to teach the techniques, just reintroduce the method.   My mask intention involved paper mache', the white glue and paper strip technique.  Technical difficulties abound held back our mask making mode.

It turns out, the Corning Chamber of Commerce asked to introduce their YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS ACADEMY to my group.  I always welcome new ideas to share with my teens, and this program has tremendous value.  I welcome you to further investigate this amazing opportunity.  There is a fee, but certainly a worthwhile program for youth in Corning, NY. 

The mixed media mask (image above) was the intended goal during program planning. Paper mache' is time consuming, extra, EXTRA messy and very difficult to transport while wet.  These hindrances were evident within the first 10 minutes of the program.  What is one to do when faced with too many problems at once?  IMPROVISE!

With less than adequate time to produce a paper mache' masks, I told all participants to make what they wanted with the supplies available.  Cardboard masks, prepped and painted can be a wonderful form of self expression.  We had a flurry of madness and a ton of mayhem by the end of the program.  I had been pulled in more than 20 different directions in 10 minutes, so pictures of projects are lacking.  I have one memory that will always remain.

Clean up is necessary for my programs.  It is expected that attendance lasts the duration of the planned program.  For the kids who follow those expectations, they enjoyed the ever fun shake-the-parachute (a.k.a. camping tarp) game (a.k.a. dry that tarp quickly so it does not mold!)  The giggles and camaraderie involved in this simple step remind my of the innocence of youth and that a little mayhem is good for the soul.

Colorful Crayon Creations are on the calendar for November.

Bring a t-shirt and your imagination, we will provide the rest!

Thanks for stopping over at the First Friday Art Club.

.e.

Paper Beads

Now that I have a chance to focus and reflect after the 6 crazy weeks of Summer Reading Program, (*SRP is FUN, but very busy!!) I can recap some programs that passed.  

Way back (those two words always remind me of the Way Back Machine, have you ever tried it?!?--oh I've digressed)...

Way back in May, I honored Mother's Day with the First Friday Art Club.  I like to consider holidays as opportunities for my teens and tweens to make gifts to give, rather than keep.  Considering May is for Moms, we learned how to make beads with simple materials and instructions, so the techniques could be copied at home.

I collected maps, magazines, weekly grocery ads, even paper from recycling bins to supply the program.  Very cheap inexpensive program potential.  Beads like our examples are available for sale in fair trade stores and online, but whenever I can DIY, I need to share and not shop!

simple supplies and instructions led the way to complete creativity

I began the program with this simple handout showing 3 main bead shapes to give inspiration.

After a few minutes of demonstration on cutting the paper on a protective surface (we want to keep our tables forever and ever) everyone chose their paper and were on a roll, literally.

Bamboo skewers provided a great tool for rolling and drying the beads.

Aside from scrapbook paper, which I purchased for another program, Mod Podge was the critical element used to seal these beads.  We wrapped the paper around a stick, sealed the end with glue, then slathered the bead in Mod Podge to give it a hard feel and glossy appearance.  

Participants got creative with other accessories, like beads purchased from a craft store.

This craft was quick, easy, relaxing, and, best of all, cheap inexpensive nearly free!

The results were just like items found online or in specialty shops.  It's always gratifying to have successes as simple as this program.

The few beads that were left will be saved for another time,

but I did have fun putting them to use. :-)

Watercolor with Laura Charles

In March, I invited Laura Charles to instruct a drawing lesson in my young adult First Friday Art Club.  The house was PACKED!  We had planned to draw and produce a watercolor scene in just an hour and a half program.  Needless to say, we had to extend the session into April. 

Many of the students were given quality watercolor paper to take home and finalize their character and scene sketches.  Then they were expected to return one month later with said paper and drawing, ready to paint.  I am proud to say, they did it!  I am the ever forgetful student who loses the paper, forgets the date of the next session, or cannot recall the lesson.  Good thing my students were better prepared than me.

Laura gave a very brief introduction to the watercolor painting process, which was not a new technique for many of the students.  We then gave paper palettes and small dabs of paint for everyone to create their masterpieces.  Despite the shade of red in our packs being more of an orange, neglecting the ability to create a purple or more cool colors, the kids really enjoyed themselves and created beautiful paintings.  

Ancient Battle Scene, check out the audience!

This Animé Pilot is being submitted in the 4H Fair.

These girls love dogs.  Is that Zena the Warrior Princess?

And so after several minutes of editing issues (have I mentioned I am new to blogging?- do you have editing issues after inserting some photos?) I can continue to brag about these kids and their amazing creations.
There were less kids in this session than last month, which allowed Laura more time to guide each student.  These paintings were well thought out and executed.  I am very proud of the efforts of each student, even the kids who participated as a result of sibling peer pressure.

Here are a few others that I really enjoyed.  

Art is often about the process, not always the final product. 

Skateboard Girl

Mystery Girl and Who Horse

Eagles and Run the Race

With so much talent and creativity in one room, I want to cover the library walls to exhibit these masterpieces.  Eventually.....
For now, I will focus on the next program, Beads for Mom.  We will make gifts for the most special lady in our lives, just in time for Mother's Day.  There is room to register, in case you have an interested student.  (607)936-3713, xt. 503.

Until next month, I will close with a collage including one of my favorite paintings from this session.  The subject is a sleuthing librarian, perusing the stacks to solve a mystery.  Two girls worked on this project together.  Although they would not claim me as the subject, I'm taking the claim.  I am a ninja-near-librarian, hear me "Ssshhhh."  :-)     

I spy a Ninja-Near-Librarian

See you next month!

Young Adults LOVE to Draw

My First Friday Art Club has existed since 2010.  It is designed to entice young adults, ages 10 and older, to explore artistic avenues.  Each month I create a new theme, usually inspired by my own interest at the moment.  Drawing is the basis of most art and design, yet I only visited this theme once, way back in the beginning of this group's existence.

On October 1, 2010, a dear artist friend, Gretchen Halpert, facilitated one of the first FFAC (First Friday Art Club) sessions with a "Drawing from Nature" theme.  It was a small group of 11, more adults than young adults. 

That was the beginning of a club that has since grown strong in numbers and following.
 I now have a steady 25 participants, at least, each month and long waiting list

Nearly four years later, my students requested a drawing and painting class, so I honored popular demand and hired another local artist whom I met at 171 Cedar Arts Center.

Laura Charles is a very talented illustrator.  Her drawings are whimsical and magical, quite like a storybook page, and perfect for a library program.  Talents such as Laura's speak to kids.  We planned a "Character and Scene Drawing" theme to be painted in watercolor.

This class was so popular, I had to stop registration at 30 participants, but 4 more slipped in, and how could I turn them away?!

Over 30 kids crammed in a library community room, little elbow room available, but the results are fabulous!

 Our goals for the students were higher than time allowed.  Drawing is a fine skill, requiring much more than two hours to perfect a character and scene.  These kids were so engaged in the process, I look forward to seeing their finished drawings in April, when we will introduce watercolor and finalize these masterpieces.

 

See you again in April....until then, Happy Pi Day!