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