Marcia

Marcia

Marcia is an elementary art teacher and loves painting, drawing, sculpture, art journaling and clay. Her blog, Art is Basic, features many exciting art projects for kids.

Be Inspired!

Colorful, abstract artwork with the words "Be Inspired" and various whimsical designs, flowers, and shapes to fuel inspiration.

Art teachers:  Do you take time out of your busy week to make your own artwork?  Do you make it a priority?  Even though I’m not creating gigantic masterpieces, I really try to squeeze in some of my own art…

ATCs

Drawing of two figures walking hand-in-hand toward a large sun, with rays extending outward, on a light blue page.

Artist Trading Cards are a fun “extra” project.  These trading cards can be given to a friend or taped in your sketchbook.  These kids used shape stencils, markers, colored pencils and shape rubber stamps to make theirs.   I have a…

Beach Paintings

Childlike drawing of a person in swimwear on a beach with a blue ocean and flying seagulls in the background.

To make these fun beach paintings, we started off with a mixture of blue paints and the kids used forks to scrape wave lines on them.  Then, we used sea sponges to sponge prints shades of sand colors on the…

Sock Snowman

Sock snowman with a red hat, button eyes and mouth, an orange carrot nose, and a scarf, on a dark background.

Here is an easy, no-sew snowman that my after school art class is going to make.  I’m so excited to try it with the kids and of course I will post pictures to show you their results. 1.  Gather supplies: …

Frogs on a Lilypad with Monet– 1st grade

Child’s watercolor painting of a vibrant green frog on a blue background with red spots, saying "smak" in a speech bubble. It could be leaping off a lilypad in the whimsical style of Monet.

        In Art class, the 1st graders looked at Claude Monet’s artwork, especially his paintings of ponds.  Using a variety of painting techniques the 1st graders painted a pond with watercolors.  Frogs were drawn with crayons and markers. Lilypads were…

Needlework Inspiration

A smiling woman holding a happy baby dressed in a colorful outfit, possibly inspired by intricate needlework.

Inspiration Avenue’s theme this week is needlework, so I thought I would show you some of the things I have done that goes with this theme.  I have taught some needlework projects as well with my elementary students. Weaving on…