Visit to the Museum | Sculptures

My goal this month was to visit more museums. There is a wonderful exhibit at the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. called "Power and Pathos".  Click on the link  for more information on the exhibit.  It presents 50 bronze sculptures and related works, dating from the fourth century BC to the first century AD.  I couldn't believe I was walking so close to works of art from thousands of years ago! 

 


This gave me an idea of sculpturing using modeling clay. I made a bird and an Easter Island-like sculpture (it kind of looks like one of the current presidential candidates).  - JM

Around The Home (Christmas Edition)

I used material around my home: 1.) green yarn +  bare wreath = winter wreath; 2.) old wooden sign + acrylic paint with holiday phrase + snowflake stickers = holiday sign;  and 3.)  cards  + pipe cleaner + shiny stickers = Christmas cards.    Happy Holidays! ~ JM

Cinnamon/Vanilla Candle

I made this candle by using a hot glue gun to attach cinnamon sticks all around a vanilla candle.  I tied a pretty ribbon on and added some scrabble letters.  With supplies only from the dollar store and a thrift store...this is a very inexpensive and good smelling gift!

Fall Painting Series

I painted a series of fall theme paintings and sent to my blogging buddy where she made a lovely display in her home!  Materials: small canvas boards and acrylic paint and with the middle picture I used paint, plastic color leaves, and glue dots. ~ JM (picture credit: Nancy)

Peg the penguin

I have found so many fun ideas on Pinterest for things to make with the simple wooden pegs you can buy at craft stores.  I thought this one was the cutest :)  I used only orange and black sharpie markers.

Hodge-Podge of Fall Activies

I love autumn and there are so many fun creative things to do with this beautiful season!  I couldn't decide on one project so here are three:
1. Leaves: Turn leaves into art.  I saw this idea on Pinterest where they used real leaves to create animals or silly faces. I used felt leaves with a sticky backing and a dark pen.
2. Fall Cards: I used stock cards, fabric leaves and glue dots to make my own cards to send to friends.
3. Fall Sensory Jars: Use this link to follow the directions of using organic materials (leaves, sticks, and pine cones) plus other ingredients (water, glitter, vegetable oil and food coloring) to make this beautiful fall art in a mason jar.   ~ JM





    

 

Fall wreath

This month I made a wreath for our front door.  We grew sunflowers this year, so I was excited to find some artificial ones.  I think I may still add a small chalkboard and write "welcome" or "hello" on it. This would be easy to switch out to match each season.

Reuse and Upcycle!

I bought a "fancy" sauce pan and it came in a canvas bag.  I didn't want to throw the bag away but it was just sitting there in the closet.  For this month's project I upcycled and created a purse using old items that included a cloth belt, left-over buttons, and scraps of ribbons. Of course other items can be used for decoration like felt flowers, beads, and embroidery. - JM

Before Upcycling

After Upcycling

Coasters!

Coasters!

This month I made coasters using ceramic tiles.  I used modge podge to adhere them and an additional 3 coats over the paper.  I used a sealant spray to make them water proof.  I also used a glue gun to add felt to the bottoms, so they won't scratch the table.  I made a set of 4 of each design as gifts for my family.

Art History Class: Art Nouveau

One of my creative goals is to further my art education.  I am working on a World Art History certificate. I attended a lecture called "Art Nouveau: New Style for a New Century".  This form of art is noted for its organic, sinuous, and seductive styles which centered in France at the very turn of the last century.  This art movement can be found in paintings, jewelry, furniture, and buildings. Below are pictures from the lecture.  I also found online an art nouveau stain glass template that I colored in with color pencil (coloring is a great stress reliever). ~ JM

Posters from Jan Toorop, Henry van de Velde Tropon, and Jules Cheret

Philippe Wolfers Dragonfly Brooch (right lower corner )

stain glass/coloring template

Writing Excercise: Short and Sweet (Everyday)

  In the latest issue of Bella Grace there was an exercise to encourage writing everyday.  It provided two pages of a calendar-like outline with space dedicated for 2-3 sentences reflecting your day.  I wrote almost everyday for the month of June. My handwriting is not the greatest, therefore I typed out three of my entries below.  ~ JM

_____________________________

 

Wooden Letter

I made this letter by using paper that looks like wood and using modge podge to glue it and also over the paper.  I got this idea from Pinterest. The possibilities are endless with all the fun kinds of paper!

Garden markers

We recently planted our garden and I found this free way to make signs on Pinterest.  I used paint stir sticks that I had, painted them and used puffy paint to write the names on them :)

Sketching (Part 2)

As I mentioned last month my goal was to bring my sketch book everywhere. The nice part of living on the East Coast are the many opportunities to do quick day trips to beautiful places from Lancaster, PA to southern Maryland where the Patuxent and Potomac River empties into the Chesapeake Bay. Drawing is a skill and practicing makes it better. I will continue to practice ;-)  ~ JM

Franklin & Marshall College Campus
Lancaster, PA

Solomons, MD

Solomons, MD

Frank Lloyd Wright's Pope-Leighey House
Alexandria, VA

Freer Gallery of Art
Washington, DC

A cobblestone alley in Old Town Alexandria, VA

I Finally Painted My Living Room!

My project this month was to finally paint my living room!  Here is the before and after.  I love it so much and it feels so much more cozy :)

Sketching

I typed in "how to sketch" on You Tube and found great mini tutorials.  This coming month I will try to take my sketchbook everywhere since I live in a picturesque city that is begging to be sketched!  Here are two simple drawings I did from You Tube: 1.) a beach/sand dune scene with chalk pastel and 2.) a vase. - JM

 

Travel Legos!

Travel Legos!

I love finding uses for empty mint containers and this one is perfect.  I saw it on Pinterest.  I decorated the box and then glued a base on and my son filled it up.  It is perfect for taking to restaurants etc.

Bingata

Since it is cherry blossom time in Washington, D.C. I wanted to do an additional project for the month.  While the blooms are not quite out the cherry blossom festival has started and I attended a Bingata workshop at the GWU Textile Museum.  Bingata is an Okinawan traditional resist dyed cloth, made using stencils and other methods. Below is what I made.  ~ JM

Themed Photo Project

There was an article in the magazine Bella Grace (Winter 2015 issue) about tips on themed photo projects. My theme is churches since there are wonderful old churches in my neighborhood of Old Town Alexandria, VA and nearby Washington, D.C. Some tips to look for are shapes, repetitive patterns, interesting reflections, emotional connection, diversity, etc.. Noticed how the churches sit prominently against the backdrop of bare trees waiting for spring to come. ~JM

 
 

Valentine's Day Project

This month I decided to make a Valentine's day project.  I found this dark cork board at Michael's. I used red pins to make the shape of the heart and then wrapped it with red string.  I have seen similar ideas on Pinterest, although the examples used wood and nails.

Romare Bearden

A few years ago I took a mix-media class about the artist Romare Bearden (1911-1988).  He was known as the master of collage and his art focused on African American culture and issues. Reflecting on Black History Month I wanted to bring attention to this talented artist. The first image is by Bearden.  I created collages of my own with a similar style to Bearden. The female image I used in the third picture is from Rapunzel by Mequitta Ahuja. - JM




"Gospel Song" by Romare Bearden

"Welcome In" by Julia Martin






"Why I Sing" by Julia Martin

Colorful chalk pens

I have always wondered how the people at coffee shops could make such pretty drawings on the menu board.  I found out the secret is chalk pens. I found them at Michaels and they are so fun.  This is the inside of my son's lunchbox, I think he will love it.  They are nice because they don't rub off like regular chalk.

Wire Sculpture

A museum recently had a family craft activity involving wires and common household items such as an empty spool of thread, Styrofoam, and string to create sculptures.  I googled "wire sculpture" and found wonderful ideas. Materials: pipe cleaners, cloth scraps, and ribbon. ~ JM



Wire Face



Wire Hearts



Wire People