Boys creating awesome art!

These photos do not give these awesome pieces of art justice! I absolutely LOVE these dragons.  They are so so cool, yet so different. 

These boys kept me laughing!

And, loved snack time!

Yes, your head is about 5 eyes wide.  We measured. In the summer! And, had a great time!

Before & After

 Luke did an awesome job drawing!  This rising 6th grader has a great eye and a ton of patience!  In a short period of time, these are some of the improvements he made.

You should have seen us measuring our faces with these cool bendable rulers!  There is a formula to drawing faces that can be helpful that we practiced.  Also, Luke worked on adding values, layering, blending, and placement.

I love this lion!  Awesome job!

GIRLS NIGHT OUT! (GNO!)

Girls Night's Out are SUCH A TREAT!!  And, so needed!  Time out with friends gives you a boost of energy, patience, and "I am not alone" when you enter back into "life!"  I would be honored to host your next (or first GNO) at the Art Shack!

$20/per person.  Bring drinks and snacks to share.  Paper products, glasses, and art supplies are provided!

So, what to create?!  If you have a "pinterest" idea you haven't made time to create, we could do that.  Have a specific theme, material, or color scheme in mind.....I can come up with a project for your group. Or, here are a few of my latest ideas:

GNO IDEA:  RE-PURPOSE remix 

*** Bring in a few pieces of art/notes/birthday cards that you cannot part with, or are meaningful to you.  We will decoupage them onto the canvas, create a background, and turn it into a new piece of art.  I will help you with composition, a color scheme and design ideas :)  

*** My (blue) example was made with my son's first art pieces. This could be done with a special old note/photo/ticket stub, or photo of a special event, or other "artifacts!"

*These are my latest 3 favorite art pieces.  The blue piece on the left has Pax's first paintings with the words he is saying now. (age 1)

* The middle is a painting by Charlotte (age 5) 

* And, the one on the right is a collage of art that Charlotte did when she was 4.

GNO IDEA:  AS FOR MY HOUSE...
***  Step by step, paint a house, landscape, and add text.  Change the colors, patterns, and text to make it work for you.  This was a reminder that I needed!  Or, this could be a simple house shape, with the text inside of the house.

GNO IDEA:  Cross on a hill...

***  Step by step you will paint a hill, clouds, flowers and a cross (or symbol of your choice).  Change the colors, patterns, and text to make it work for you.  Art is my therapy! What verse do you need to see everyday?  Bring that with you!

GNO IDEA:  CROSS with funky border...

***  Step by step you will paint a cross (or symbol of your choice) with a funky border.  You can add a quote or verse.  

GNO IDEA:  BIRDS on a branch...

***  Step by step you will paint a background, tree and birds! You pick the colors and the birds can represent your family if you would like!

GNO IDEA: MIXED MEDIA BIRDS

*** We will paint the background with watercolor--or tempera blocks.  Then collage the flowers and stems.  Paint the flowers and stem details.  And, add a collaged bird.  This is a fun art piece that experiments with different materials.

GNO IDEA: BLESSINGS BOARD

***This is my latest favorite that I can't wait to make with a group.  Similar to the first idea.  But, a functional piece of art that can hold to-do lists, reminders of what we can be thankful for, or a place to list prayers.  This could even be a family board that everyone can add to (on the clothespins).

***Bring a few photos you could use.  We will collage different papers, create a color scheme, and add text.

(Creating this was super therapeutic for me...layers of meaning I can share later!)

 GNO IDEA: SHIRTS for the KIDDOS...or you!
So, the Stroller Strength women made shirts for a challenge they were doing.  We created stencils & used spray tie-dye.  That idea would be SUPER cute on onesies/shirts for kids. (paint nicknames/month/year shirts)  Or, we can paint straight on shirts/onesies/or even shoes!

GNO IDEA: WALL HANGINGS
This is super fun, and pretty easy!  Collage a boarder with different papers, paint a border, and add a name, phrase or quote on the inside.  These are fun to hang in your house or create for someone else. These are on wood and ready to hang.

GNO IDEA: OPEN STUDIO!

*** I will have out paint, watercolor, collage paper, markers, pencils, and more.  YOU PLAY.  This is more about the process.  Experimenting.  I will help you but without a specific "plan", your group may or may not complete something "finished."  This is very stress-free.  Being with gals, chatting, and having busy hands is so so so therapeutic! 

*** You could also bring a project you have been working on, or want to start.  I will help as much as I can.

GNO IDEA: SCHEDULE A PARTY with friends in place of exchanging Christmas presents!! BOOK NOW!!  

Build memories AND leave with a piece of art.  And, no stress of searching for a present.

So, who do you want to invite?  

When do you want to schedule it for?

What are you itching to create?

** I LOVE to come up with new ideas.  Give me an idea of what you want to make...and we can brainstorm a project!  I want you to have fun! Relax! Enjoy your company! AND, enjoy creating art!

See "Adult Art Night" for more info or E-mail Elizabeth at creativeandcolorful@yahoo.com

or 336-399-0707 to figure out the details!

360 Degree view of the Art SHACK

It is neat to see how this place changes each year.  

It is a 'shack'.  And, cram-packed with art.  

This is what it looks like, today.

3-D Art in Action!

 So, Ben loves origami, building, inventing, and details.  His ideas are unique.  I see a future engineer or architect without a doubt.  He likes rulers, problem solving.  And, to see it in an art form, is just cool!

 Painting the background for his 3-D origami picture.

Assembling the origami

Planning the scene 

TA-DA!  I just think this is a neat concept!  I love how he made the origami into a new art form.

I am proud of this kid!

Planning. 

And, a neat little car he quickly created. Yup, it rolls.  Well done!

Learning to See

I firmly believe in kids creating their own art. I do not draw on their work.  I will not do it for them.  I want it to be THEIR WORK! It was so fun watching Nini and Charlotte learn to draw a little better in two days this week.  CZ, of course, is not totally interested in listening to me.  But, both girls make a lot of progress!

 I had the girls (rising K & 1st) draw a flower on their own.  They were supposed to be looking at the flower.  (the flower on the right).  Then, I step by step, helped them to draw it again.  LOOKING at the flower.  (see the flower on the left)  Pretty good, I say!

CZM drawing a My Little Pony.  Her first attempt at an "animal." 

 People time!  On the left, this was Nini's person without instruction.  On the right, with instruction. WOW! 

And, then My Little Pony's!

I am proud of these girls and their willingness to work on drawing! 

Well done.  With practice anyone, (yes, you adults too!) can draw!

Birthday Party Ideas at the ART SHACK!

Birthday Parties are fun at the Art Shack! Kids get to make a mess & create art.  Parents don't have to clean up!  And, kids have an art piece to take home.  This birthday party lasts a lot longer than the goodie bags us moms loose sleep over!

Parties are each customized! Together we come up with a project idea ahead of time.  1 1/2 hours are for art, leaving 30 minutes for presents or snacks (that you provide).  

Art with hidden meaning!  Pick a color scheme and create this abstract piece of art!

This sweet artist brought in the elephant she collaged at home.  We could collage any animal and create a great background!

Funky flowers created by these cousins!  Suitable for all ages! 

Tissue paper collaged flowers with a watercolor background and painted flowers too!

Personalized resting cat :)  Or, another animal!

Perfect for the youngest artist that loves Popsicle sticks! This turned into a sweet little piece of art that will help us parents remember these young child days :)

Cupcakes! Cake! or Ice-cream cones! F-U-N! And, ready to hang!

Art with initials :)

Guests need to be reminded to "dress for mess!" The Art Shack is a "shack" (a transformed garage which now hosts lots of fun) and is at the house of Elizabeth Miller.  There is a bathroom inside her house of polka dot walls!  Also, parents, I LOVE KIDS ART!!! When they are creating at the Art Shack, I let THEM do the work.  The tree might be crooked, or might not look like a tree....but this teaches THEM that THEY are artists!  This gives us a chance to brag on what they are doing.  I do try to guide them to make good choices, and I will touch up small places if needed.  I know you have to look at these pieces of art for a long time :)  But, I want you to see your child's art. (I do adult classes too!!)

See "Birthday Party" in the above section for pricing.  And, photos more photos of the studio!

Call  Elizabeth at 336-399-0707 to book a party or if you have questions!