Monday, July 25, 2016

Deep Space Sparkle Workshop, 2016

This summer has been the summer of Doin' Stuff: finishing a book, creating two Art Scout Camps with my fellow Troop Leaders, working on a coupla top secret projects (I'm not trying to hide things from y'all, I promise. More details when I'm free to share 'em!) and, last but certainly not least: co-presenting with my buddy Laura Lohmann at Patty Palmer's Deep Space Sparkle Workshop!  
In BEAUTIFUL Santa Barbara, y'all. I've already picked out my Barbie Dream House on the beach. 
The theme of the Deep Space Sparkle Workshop was Latin Art and I loved that folks got dolled up for the part. I mean, how cute are these ladies in their handmade Frida crowns? 
The Workshop started at a comfortable California pace at midday on Friday. Everyone was greeted with a smile and a swag bag full of goodies. 
To jump start the Workshop, Patty opened by chatting about establishing a mindset of making in the art room. Many of the ladies in the audience traveled from all over the country (and one from South Korea!) and are all walks of teacherin' life: some where art teachers, classroom teachers, special needs educators and a yoga instructor who brings art into her studio! So many lovely ladies who have one thing main thing in common: the desire to teach creativity to children. Can you ask for a better bunch?
 I was up right after Patty (tough act to follow much?!) and, I'll admit, I was a wee bit nervous. I've presented on a much smaller scale before but nothing like this. I was mic'ed up, there was a film crew and close to 200 folks in the audience. However, being with such a wonderful group of ladies who quickly became friends really put my mind at ease. I shared with them something I do so love: fiber arts!
On our first day together, we prepped and painted our plates for circle loom and tree weaving. And look how pretty!
 Ohhhhh!
 Ahhhhh!
Oh my! I loved each and every one ever before the addition of the weaving!
Next up was the always-awesome Laura! I love her painted apron and Frida crown, don't you?
Laura shared with everyone her super spectacular technique of teaching painting to children...without the mess of water. I'm so ready to give this a go in my art room this year.
She also shared her love of Crayola's Model Magic clay. The ladies had a fabulous time exploring and creating with this medium. 
 Each creation was so much fun and completely unique.
Someone was loving the beach as much as I was!
The patterns was what struck me with this piece. 
To wrap up the first day, Patty hosted a lovely fiesta. Complete with delicious food, drinks and a chance for everyone to mingle and make new friends. It was such a pleasant way to end the first day.
The following day, we started bright and early with a fun Mexican tile printmaking project taught by Patty.
I've never tried printmaking with water-soluble oil pastels but now I am itching to give it a go!
Now that our plates were dry, we were ready to dive into tree and circle loom weaving. 
Weaving can be tricky to teach to a room 200 folks. To do so, I'm simply explained the process as I do to my students: slowly and simply. The weavings turned out so beautifully. 
What I love about teaching is that folks come up with their own unique ways to problem solve. We had fun sharing our different ideas and thoughts about approaching weaving with children.
From there, Patty did a wonderful portrait lesson featuring Frida Kahol.
And Laura shared two fun projects that were both colorful and bright: large marigold paintings and a still life collage. 
 The room literally blossomed!
 This is a project I so want to bring back to my art room. 
 So much happy!
Patty wrapped the Workshop with a final project (not shown) and a good ole Q & A session. Then, sadly, we had to say goodbye to our new friends. I managed to get a couple of photos...but many were pulled from Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Thank you for sharing those photos, new besties!
 Masters of the Art Teacherin' Universe (and weaving!).
 My Facebook buddies and I finally had the chance to meet in person. Loved meeting you, Cheri...
 and Charlene! 
And the super sweet and adorable Leann. Making new friends is always my favorite part of workshops!
It was such a fun weekend of connecting, creating and, well let's be honest, being in sunny So Cal. 

BIG THANK YOU to Patty for having me join her wonderful Workshop. Until next time, y'all!

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12 comments:

  1. Wow! That looks like such a fun and interactive workshop. :-) I really like the Frida portraits, everyone's flower bands and painted plates. Could you tell me more about how you found the pieces of your outfit for the first day? I LOVE all the beautiful embroidery! Everytime I look at shirts or dress like that they are out of my price range (and hard to find at thrifts so far too!).

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    1. Hi Maggie! You know, I have to tell you, my FAVORITE place to shop and scoop up fun finds is Buffalo Exchange. Both my top and my skirt are from there! B.E. is a resale shop that sells both vintage and contemporary goods. I find THE BEST vintage there. That skirt is vintage. The belt came from Olvera Street which is a fun Mexican shopping area in L.A. Sadly, I don't have a B.E. here in Nashville so I have to shop at them when I'm in SoCal. Hope that helps!!

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  2. Anonymous7/26/2016

    Love it…I want to go to there. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Hi Cassie! I would LOVE to attend one of your Art Scout workshops, and I'm sure my fellow art teachers (Athens City in Alabama) would love to as well! How can we sign up for your next one? Thanks!!

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    1. I'm so happy you are interested! You can keep up with Art Scouts shenanigans by finding us both on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/art_scouts/) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/groups/147108292367573/). We'll keep you up to date there :)

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  4. Anonymous7/27/2016

    So wish I could have gone! So many great projects! It just recharges the battery being around other creative people!-M3

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  5. Hello! I am a fellow art teacher and I love you blog and youtube videos. I was watching one the other day where you gave a tour of your classroom and LOVED your painting mats with the color one side and the elements on the other. Where did you find the elements for the mat? Is it a file that you would be willing to share? Thank you so much!

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    1. Hey there! I'll actually be sharing more about those mats in a video with AOE soon...so stay tuned for more info here on my blog :) The resources of what is printed and laminated to the tag board can be found here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Elements-of-Art-and-Principles-of-Design-Poster-Bundle-85x11-and-18x24-1715672

      Hope that helps!

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    2. Thank you so much!

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  6. Hello! Love love love all you do! I constantly read your blog and follow on Instagram and Facebook! I was wondering if you could share this "super spectacular technique" you mentioned about Laura teaching her kids to paint without water?! That would be a dream!
    How was the water soluble oil pastel printing done? I just bought a giant box of them and was wondering what to do with them!
    Thank you so much! We went back to school last Monday....and you are my inspiration to get my butt back in school mode! Lol

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    1. Hi Gina! Laura's method is fabulous! But she's really the best person to ask about it. Have you been to her blog? Leave her a comment at paintedpaperart.com and I"m sure she'll reply. The water soluble printing was done by coloring the foam printing plate, spritzing the paper with water from a water bottle and pressing the printing plate onto the wet paper. It gave it a nice watercolor effect. Another method would be to use water soluble markers! Have fun :)

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