Mother's Day Family Tree Collages

I held a collage class a couple weeks ago to create a special Mother's Day work of art. Each student brought 3-4 pieces of coordinating scrapbook paper, so the papers would be something their mother liked.

First they painted a 16 x 20 stretched canvas with an acrylic paint that complemented their papers. Then, using a rubber texture tool they created their background designs.

While the background was drying, students used templates to trace and cut their shapes. Tracing was done on the back of scrapbook paper to minimize tracing lines.

I had pre-printed the text boxes ahead of time-Bible verse and family names.

After cutting out the shapes, students arranged the pieces on the canvas before glueing. Mod Podge was used to glue down the paper, layer by layer, being careful to remove bubbles. A coat of Mod Podge was applied over the top of everything when finished. This process took 2 hours.

At our next session students painted accents (scalloped edges, etc.) and outlined everything with a Sharpie marker. This process took about an hour.

Isn't it amazing how the designs are all the same, yet they are each are so unique.  Girls wrapped these up before taking them home so they surprise their mom on Mother's Day. Special thanks to Things With Wings for being our artist inspiration.

Matt McLeod Workshop

(12 x 12 oil-California Koi)

Well, it's been awhile since I've posted, I know. April was a busy, but productive month for me. I've had several children's painting workshops, completed a huge commission, donated to the Baker Elementary Auction, and had the opportunity to attend a Matt McLeod Painting Workshop for three days. I also entered in my "California Koi" oil painting in the Arkansas League of Artists Spring Show and received third place in the wildlife/animal category-woo hoo!

I wanted to post some highlights from the Matt McLeod Workshop. Matt is a very talented Arkansas Artist, known for his innovative use of color. He mostly paints in oils, and I was so intrigued to learn how he keeps his colors so vibrant. He has amazing drawing and hand skills, and really emphasizes the importance of these in his workshop, so it pushed me a little out of my comfort zone. Be sure and check out his artwork at www.MattMcLeod.com.

Photo of Matt's dog that he used for inspiration.

Here's Matt's underpainting in black gesso.

His finished piece-amazing detail and color!

Here's my thumb nail sketch and painting I completed during the workshop.

You can see the photo I was working from taped above the painting in the photo.

Finished piece