New Ceramics Class
We have a new 2-Day Kid’s Ceramics Class starting Wed, Feb 15th!
I’m excited 
Working with clay is great for sensory development, motor skills, self expression, developing confidence, problem solving skills, discipline, and pride. Clay also has a therapeutic quality and can retain a child’s attention for hours.
Kid’s Ceramics $45
Wednesday 5:30-6:30pm (see dates below)
Must Pre-Register, Space limited>>
(Age 5-10) In this class, students will explore handbuilding construction techniques; making functional items such as mugs, bowls, and picture frames … or imaginative/sculptural creations like animals, masks or a wind chime. Each child will take home glazed/fired pieces.
Classes taught by working ceramist, Kathryn Heaton.
We have 2 classes on the calendar to start; adding more as demand grows…
• Feb 15, 22 = Make a Coil Bowl
• Mar 07, 14 = Make an Animal
Click here to register, Space limited>>
December
The studio was busy during the month of December. Classes made holiday themed art, kids had gift-making in mind during Open Studio and we also participated in a couple community events. Here are a few pictures I have to share…
class: Beginning Art (Age 6.5-9)
project: Glitter Winter Paintings (click image for large photo)
Students learned about abstract landscapes, composition, planning a design, monochromatic color, tints/shades; used acrylic paints, oil pens & glitter on 9x12 canvas board. This project took 3 sessions to complete.
what: Open Studio Re-cap
I usually don’t take many photos during Open Studio, but I snapped a few this month…
Gingerbread Lollipops, Free Card Swap, open-ended art & gift making, natural ornaments, recycled snowmen & more.
class: Little Picasso’s (Age 4-6 years)
project: Poinsettia Collage
Students used collage technique to make poinsettia pictures. Talked about how flower petals radiate from the center, worked on fine motor skills.
what: First Fridays Community Art Walk
The Girl Scouts had a homemade bake sale at the studio for December First Fridays. "Bixby Belle" stopped in with candy canes while the kiddos made holiday canvases.
Favorite Photo Friday
NYE @ Noon Party - Limbo Stick
I’m going to try and post about the holidays & our NYE party over the weekend, but in the meantime, please enjoy this picture of my son. He thought this move would be easy (notice the hands in the pocket), but his face tells us otherwise 
Favorite Photo Friday – 2nd Place!
"I am diversity...."
I recently provided private lessons for one of my regular students. She’s only 6 and had the challenge of creating artwork for a PTA Reflections project that showed what “Diversity” meant to her. That’s quite a word for a 6 year old… during our sessions we talked about the word & talked about her own cultural diversity (Indian / American). She decided she wanted to make a self portrait & continued from there. I exposed her to different styles & taught her about facial proportions, acrylic paints & image transfer technique…. She also decided she wanted to add bits of sequin from one of her Mother’s saris. Her Mom sent me a picture of the final painting that was submitted & found out she won 2nd Place in her age group for the Visual Arts category. She was the only 1st grader who won in her entire school. Great job!
Thanksgiving Indian Corn
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday!
Here’s a cute project our “Little Picasso’s” made (age 4-6)…
I purchased some Indian Corn at a pumpkin patch last month wanting to tie it into a class. I love the colors of the kernels & had originally wanted to do a drawing/watercolor project with the Beginning Art kids, BUT as usual, I changed my mind
*This* was an opportunity for a sculpture project with the 4-6 year olds!
Real Indian Corn
First we built the armature. (1) Crunch up newspaper into a long oval shape. (2) Wrap w/ 1 more pc of newspaper burrito-style & add a few pieces of tape to help hold together.
After you have your newspaper form ready, wrap it in a piece of heavy duty aluminum foil (sorry, not shown). Once wrapped, start to sculpt the corn shape. Pinch in one side to make it smaller than the other. This is also a good time to let the kids feel the real corn, so they can make their armature feel similar.
Next, paper mache the armature with brown paper. We used torn up recycled paper & faded old construction paper. Torn up paper bags would also work. *Let dry.
Paint the kernels with a cotton swab or the end of a pencil. Provide a variety of Fall colors and also talk to the students about patterns.
For the final finishing touch, hot glue a small bunch of dried corn husk to the large end. I've had a bit of corn husk lying around for a while & finally got to use it up! Tie together beforehand with a natural piece of twine or raffia. It makes gluing quicker & adds extra cuteness.
This is a 2-day project. If you plan properly, the kids can bring home a lovely handmade decoration for Thanksgiving.
One last note… I was happily surprised that the painting kept the attention of the students for about 30 mins. Sometimes tedious, repetitive tasks can bore this age group so you may want to break things up with a Thanksgiving story.
Halloween Projects
Hope everyone had a fun Halloween! Here’s what we worked on in the studio last month…
class: Pee Wee Art (Age 2-3)
Spider handprints, pumpkin puzzles, and mini pumpkins
class: Little Picasso’s (Age 4-6)
Goofy Pumpkins (color mixing, cutting skills) & Autumn Spider Webs (patterns in nature, lines, cutting/pasting).
class: Beginning Art (Age 6.5-9)
Witch Legs, Haunted Castles, Finish the Spider Drawings, Black Cat Portraits
class: Halloween Art Party
Halloween Art Party: bug goo, free art, storytime, bat puppets, yarn monsters, & squishy eyeballs!
Pee Wee Art – Gustav Klimt
Our morning Pee Wee Art Class (Age 2-3) will be starting up again on Tuesday Nov 1st, 10-10:45am. You can register online or call 562-912-4800.
Here is a Gustav Klimt theme we did a few weeks ago in Pee Wee… The projects focus on process, while exposing children to art history, shape/form/texture and harmonious colors.
Pre-prepped materials.
Working on those fine motor skills.
I love all the different results that were achieved with the same materials. Wish I had time to post them all! See you class!!
Nature Display Wednesday
Hubby found this SKULL shaped leaf while gardening. Thought it was appropriate for the season
nasturtium leaf
Favorite Photo Friday
"This photo was taken the day after your superhero class. They got out there and kept our street safe! Thank you for inspiring young minds!" ~Rebecca
