The American artist Jackson Pollock is one of the most recognizable painters of our time. His drip, splatter and pour technique is now so iconic, there is probably not an art teacher in the world who hasn’t adapted his action-centered art making in their classes at some point. But although his style in now ubiquitous,…
Artist Study
Chiaozza Inspired Paper Mâché Sculptures
I’m so excited to share these paper mâché sculptures made by my art campers back in 2019. They were inspired by the studio of Terri Chiao and Adam Frezza, a real-life couple who live in Brooklyn and have a young daughter named Tove, and who work collaboratively as CHIAOZZA. Let me tell you more about…
Clare Youngs Artist Study
Last summer in art camp, I introduced my students to artist Clare Youngs who lives and works in the UK. She trained as a graphic designer and now makes beautiful “handicraft objects,” as she calls them. I’m in love with her cardboard animals so we did a little artist study and made some of our…
Glue Batik with kids inspired by Anna Blatman
Last summer, I did a whole week of “Artist Study Camp” at my home here in Connecticut. It was geared a little bit more towards older kids, although I ended up with kids ages 5-10. They were complete sponges and took it all in, working so hard and using their new skills to create some…
Sculpture with Kids: Ugo Rondinone Artist Study (Part 2)
Ami from HANDMAKERY is back today to share Part 2 of her Sculpture with Kids: Ugo Rondinone Artist Study series! This time, she and her kids study Ugo’s Human Nature installation that was at Rockefeller Center in New York City in 2013. Using a similar technique to Part One, Ami explores paper mâché and magnets, along…
Sculpture with Kids: Ugo Rondinone Artist Study (Part 1)
Today I have the pleasure of introducing you to one of my favorite people of all time. Ami from HANDMAKERY in Carbondale, Colorado is here to tell us about the amazing sculpture project she did with her kids, studying the work of Seven Magic Mountains artist Ugo Rondinone. Ami’s projects always blow. me. away. She…
Paul Klee Artist Study with Kids
I’m so excited to share these Paul Klee artist study paintings that my students made in art class! When I was studying fine arts and printmaking in college, the posters on the wall of my dorm room spoke more about who I was than anything I could say. Paul Klee, Matisse, Van Gogh, Sonia Delaunay….
Dioramas with Kids // Inspired by Artist Mano Kellner
I discovered artist Mano Kellner on Pinterest and was immediately drawn to her “art boxes”. They are very curious, quite charming, and even a bit mystical. I was so inspired by this one that I immediately started to plan how I could make something similar with my art students. I decided on making dioramas using the…
Drawing with Kids: Oranges on the Table
My friend Samara from Purple Twig in L.A. always has the best ideas for drawing with kids. When I saw these still-life orange paintings on her Instagram feed, I knew that I needed to know more! I just love that she used a piece of fabric for the table, and how she had the children…
Acrylics with Kids
I’ll share a secret with you: I’ve always wished I was a painter. I envy artists who have their own painting studio where they can hide away and listen to music and paint whatever they want. I think it’s the introvert in me who loves this idea of solitude, and not having to please the…
