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Category Archives: books

Art Gift Ideas for a Child

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The holidays are quickly approaching!  While you are thinking about the kids in your life, consider picking up some creative gifts.  Please don’t buy those cheap art supply kits with a lot of different cheap crayons, markers and colored pencils.  Spending a little more money will allow the child to experience quality art supplies and they will last longer.  Here are some of my favorites. 1.  Watercolor Paints- Splurge on a better quality set than Rose Art.  The child will … Read more… →

Watercolor Sharks and Free Shark Drawing Guide/Coloring Pages

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Recently, I reviewed the book How to Survive as a Firefly and showed you a firefly art project to go along with the book.  I also received a free copy of How to Survive as a Shark from Innovation Press.  This book is illustrated in a similar style and is very cute and engaging.  There is a lot of great scientific information about sharks in this book. From the publisher’s description:  How to Survive as a Shark provides a unique take on fish … Read more… →

Yayoi Kusama Children’s Book

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Yayoi Kusama Children’s Book

I am in love with this new children’s book about Yayoi Kusama.  The illustrations are gorgeous.  I love Yayoi’s style and her artwork.  Known for her polka dot installations, polka dot pumpkins and mirrored rooms, this artist is sure to captivate your students. From the inside cover: “Growing up in Japan, Yayoi Kusama dreamed of becoming an artist.  In the fields of her family’s nurseries she drew flowers and plants and stones, imagining the world around her as streams and … Read more… →

All About Me Foldable Squash Books

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One of the first projects my 4th/5th grade students created this year were personal “About Me” folded squash books.  The kids were introduced to a simple foldable bookmaking technique and then they personalized them with drawings and collages about themselves.  Each section of the book had a prompt to get them started. I showed them a video demonstration of how to assemble the book and I provided square templates printed on card stock.  Both the video, templates and instructions are … Read more… →

Big Giveaway! Book and $10 TPT Giftcard, Book Review and New Stuff

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Big Giveaway! Book and $10 TPT Giftcard, Book Review and New Stuff

I have a lot of things to share with you today! First.  You have the chance to win a big prize for a special Back to School giveaway.  The winner will receive a drawing book, a $10 TPT gift card and my new Art History Icebreaker Foldable. First, this book by Mark Kistler! You Can Draw It in Just 30 Minutes: See It and Sketch It in a Half-Hour or Less. I am working with De Capo Press to share this book.  Mark … Read more… →

My Book of Beautiful Oops! Giveaway and Book Review

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Hi!  I’m working with Workman Publishing to share a new book and giveaway with you! Many art teachers use the book Beautiful Oops! in their classroom.   It’s one of my favorites!  It’s all about how even if you make a mistake, it’s an opportunity to turn it into something beautiful.  This link has some art projects I’ve taught using this book. BUT… there is a brand new companion to Beautiful Oops!  This a creative personal journal for young artists aged … Read more… →

Free Printable: Faith Ringgold Inspired Quilt Template

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Hi!  I’m here today to share with you a meaningful art project for your younger students.  This would be good as as a “getting to know you” activity.  The following examples were all made by kindergartners near the end of the year, but I would think this lesson would be suitable for kids through grades 2. Many art teachers have taught about the artist Faith Ringgold and had their students create paper quilts.  I have a free printable for you … Read more… →