My Summer Schedule is posted.

An Exciting Endeavor!

I feel like I have dropped the ball somewhat this summer on blogging about the different art classes I taught. It will happen. . . eventually. All of my free "art time" has been taken up by an exciting new endeavor that will require a temporary pause from teaching my Creative Elements classes. The PTO at the school my children attend has set aside a nice chunk of money to be used toward starting a volunteer powered art program. Any guesses who they asked to head it up? :) I was excited to jump on board with this project. I have such fond memories of my elementary art teacher. She was a huge influence in my life and I most likely would not have developed the love of art that I now have without the art education I received as a child. The whole reason I started Creative Elements is because I saw a huge void in the elementary school system. I knew I could teach art to my own children, but what about everyone else? This program will provide a once a month art lesson based on an influential artist for each grade that will be presented by a parent or grandparent volunteer. I have to give a huge thank you to Mary Mac Elementary who were so willing to share with us what they have already been doing. I was able to use that as a foundation and then build on it even more, applying my background in art education. It is a huge undertaking, but I feel so strongly about it. I'm excited to make a difference in our children's education! So please be patient. I will do other classes eventually and I do still have Clay studio time available at my home. And maybe, just maybe, when the kiddos get back to school I will actually be able to post some pictures from this summer!

Introduction to Clay

This was one of my favorite classes so far. There is something about clay that kids just love. It is such a long process of making the artwork, waiting for it to be fired, glazed, and fired again. But when they finally got to see their finished projects, they were all so excited. I have heard reports that many of the children have been using their mugs and pots at breakfast, to plant flowers in, and all kinds of fun things. I hope all the kids had a great time! I know I did!

New Potter's Wheel Workshop Scheduled

The next potter's wheel workshop will be held Saturday June 4 from 9:00-11:00am. The cost is just $10 and space is limited so let me know soon if you would like to attend. Email: creativeelementsinfo{at}gmail{dot}com.

Schedule Change

Due to several circumstances, I need to cancel the "Bounce into a Book" class this summer. I hope that doesn't cause any problems. If you were planning on registering, I still have three other classes available and registration is open on all of them. And just because there is no art class there, doesn't mean you can't "bounce" over and have a great time this summer at BOUNCE. They are offering some great deals right now for year passes to their facebook friends so head over and check it out!

Welcome Bouncers!!!

Welcome to all of you who saw the post about Art with Bounce on Facebook. Don't forget to like Creative Elements on facebook also so you can stay up to date on new class offerings and special giveaways!

The Class I will be teaching at Bounce is called "Bounce into a Book". It is a fun way to get P.E., Reading, and Art all in and your kids just think they are playing. Each day of the class we will highlight some children's literature and then use that as a springboard to create some wonderful art projects. One of the projects will be a clay sculpture that the kids will get to have fired and glazed! It is a great class for the whole family with special pricing for a family pass. We will have one class for younger kids and one for older kids. Your kids can follow up all the art fun with more fun playing at Bounce!

Follow the links above for details. You can email me at: creativeelementsinfo@gmail.com to register. Registration is open and I recommend registering early as space will be limited.

Also, go to auctionfrogs.org and click on the link to the Lake Hazel Elementary School fundraiser to bid on admission to all of my summer classes!

Summer Schedule

I can't believe it's time to start thinking about summer, but I know we are already marking dates for trips and other activities, so I thought I better get my summer schedule lined up. . . and let me tell you, it's going to be a good one. Last summer was the first for Creative Elements and I learned a lot. Thank you so much to all of you who were my guinea pigs. This summer I have tried to make it more accessible to the Treasure Valley by having one of the classes held at BOUNCE just off of the Meridian exit. I have also offered some classes that are designed for families with special family pricing. I know how expensive it gets to involve all of your kids, so hopefully this will make it a little easier for families to participate. Another change for this year is that I expanded the drawing and design class to include upper elementary as well as middle school aged children. Add in the ongoing Potter's Wheel Workshop and Studio for ages 14 and up, and there's a little something for everyone. I hope you find what you are looking for. If you have questions or would like to register email me at: creativeelmentsinfo@gmail.com

I Love Mud!!!

I just finished my first Potter's Wheel Workshop. I'm excited for this first group to get in the studio and give it a try. It is definitely one of those things that looks so easy, until you sit down and try it for yourself. It takes a lot of practice and patience but when you finally get there, it is so worth it. I had a rare moment of peace and quiet after the workshop before my crew came home, so I sat down at the wheel . . . heaven!!! Love it!

Proud Mama

"Lava Explosion"
Watercolor
Rylan, Age 5

"Owl Stare"
Oil Pastel/Watercolor
Camden, Age 8

"Toucan on the Branch"
Oil Pastel/Watercolor
Ethan, age 10


These are my boys' entries for the School District Art Show. I may be a bit biased but I think they did such a good job. They each had to do the work all by themselves. They worked so hard on them. I loved when they had to write an "artist statement" and they started talking about the techniques they used, positive and negative space, and of course Rylan who's statement was more along the lines of, "I like Lava." I'm so proud of them.

Excited for Spring Classes!

I've been doing some clay projects with some of my private lesson students and my son's scout den. It has been so fun. I also found time to get out on the wheel and throw some pots. I love it! I can't wait for Introduction to Clay and Potter's Wheel workshop to start up.

Some important dates to remember. . .

The early registration deadline for Introduction to Clay is this Friday, March 11. After that the price will go up $5, so hurry and register this week!

Our first Potter's Wheel Workshop will be Saturday, March 12 2:00-4:00. I would love to add a few more people to that workshop, but if that time doesn't work for you let me know when you can do and we will get another workshop scheduled!

Check the schedule here and the Registration details here and the course descriptions here.

Potter's Wheel Workshop

The first date for the Potter's Wheel Workshop is set for Saturday, March 12, 2011 from 2:00-4:00. It will be a two hour workshop in which I will teach the basic techniques and procedures for throwing a pot on the potter's wheel. Once you have completed the workshop you can sign up for studio time to make your own creations. The workshop is for ages 14 and up so pass the word along to your teenagers and spouse.

I have to admit that pottery can have it's frustrating moments, but even then, it is so therapeutic. There is nothing like getting your hands in the mud and creating something you love. And hot cocoa tastes even better when you sip from a mug you made with your own hands. So fun!

To register just send me an email at creativeelementsinfo@gmail.com.

$30 Cift Certificate

"LIKE" Creative Elements on Facebook, leave a comment on the post about the $30 Gift Certificate and be entered to win a $30 Gift Certificate good toward the current schedule, studio time, private lessons, or any summer classes--schedule TBA. Winner will be randomly selected Friday Feb. 25 at 6:00pm. Make sure to let your friends know!

Creative Elements is on Facebook

After you check out the new schedule, don't forget to "Like" Creative Elements on facebook. It took me long enough to figure out how to get that button on my blog, so if for no other reason, click it so I don't feel like I wasted my afternoon. (Turns out I was doing it right all along, just had to close my blog and go back in before it would show up.)

Time to Play in the Mud!

Spring is just around the corner and that means one thing . . . it's time to play in the mud! Thanks to my wonderful husband, my kiln is ready for some action. For the kids, I will be offering an after school class at Lake Hazel Elementary teaching hand building methods with clay. For ages 14 and up, if you have ever wished you could try your hand at the potter's wheel now is your chance.

Schedule, Course Description, and registration information are available by following the links above. Register early and save money! Start spreading the word!

Leaves are Falling all Around

This week in Introduction to Watercolor we found our inspiration from the fall leaves. Finally after two weeks of learning the color wheel and painting techniques we were able to see the kids' individual creativity shine through. We learned about warm and cool colors by drawing our leaves in oil pastel with only warm colors and then painting in the background with cool colors. We were able to use two of our new watercolor techniques-- wax/oil resist and wet on wet. We also talked about composition and how we can make choices about size, shape, color, and space to make our composition more interesting.

Everyone works at such a different speed that some finished and others will continue working next week. The paintings that were completed have been added to the "Gallery" so make sure you check them out.

Watercolor Week Two

This week in Introduction to Watercolor the kids were able to finish up their color wheels from week one. This may look simple, but the children had to mix many of the colors using their primary colors. I was pleased at how well they all did not only mixing secondary colors but also the tertiary colors. We also spent some time experimenting with different watercolor techniques. The students each made a booklet showing 6-8 different painting techniques.

This week we had a new addition to our class. Mariam is a Mountain View High school student who is currently working at an elementary school teaching art as part of one of her classes. She has volunteered to come in and help the kids. She is so great with the kids and we are lucky to have her. The kids can now get twice the attention during their class time. We are also happy to have Mrs. Linda Hess, an LHE teacher, joining the class. I think it is wonderful for teachers to brush up on their art knowledge so that it can spill over into the classroom. I am so happy to have them both.

Next week we will talk about some principles of design and put them to use in a mixed media Leaf Painting. It will be fun for the kids to apply the knowledge they have gained in an actual painting.

October Art with Bounce

Don't forget that you can still register for the October-December Art with Bounce classes up until a week before each class! We had tons of fun last month. For the October class we will be learning about warm and cool colors. We will create some fall leaf mixed-media art work using oil pastels and watercolors.

October: Leaves are Falling All Around
November: "Stained-glass Windows"
December: Once there was a Snowman

Wonderful Watercolors

This week we started our Introduction to Watercolor class after school at Lake Hazel Elementary as well as the Adult Watercolor Class. The first session in both classes was mostly getting familiar with the color wheel and using the watercolors.

It is so fun to see the kids as well as adults experiment and explore color. Next week in both classes we will learn some specific watercolor painting techniques and put them to good use in some mini-landscapes. Students, make sure you are starting to collect some photos that you can work from for your upcoming paintings.

Red, Yellow, and Bounce

Last Friday was the first of four Art with Bounce classes offered this fall at Bounce in Meridian. (You can still register for the last three!) The kids' ages ranged from 2 -5. They were so sweet and we had a good time together. We learned about artist Piet Mondrian. We learned about what things in his paintings were the same (repetition) and what parts were different (variation). All the shapes were rectangles, but some were big, some were medium and some were small. We also learned that when it comes to glue, a dot is a lot. The kids did a wonderful job using their glue properly.

I always like to emphasize to the children that they are all different and that is good. When we looked at the finished art work, we noticed how everyone had different pictures even though they all started with the same tools. Each picture was special and unique, just like each child.

Fall Registration Deadline

Friday, September 17 is the deadline for fall classes. That's tomorrow folks, so get it in today!!!

If you missed the registration deadline, and there is still room in the class, I will accept a late registration for an extra $10 late fee.

I will still take registrations for the remaining Bounce classes up to one week before each class.