giant chalk

I have wanted to try this for ages after seeing it here... it was just as fun as I thought

turn this...

into this...

with these giant chalk instructions...

camera trouble

Here is the last and admittedly adorable photo my brand new excellent camera took before one of those drops of water landed on it and short circuited the flash unit. It is off being repaired and I am making do with my old one with a broken screen which means I can't change any settings. So excuse my image quality for the next week or so. Thanks so much!

angelica mesiti the calling

oooh I have just realised that Angelica Mesiti the artist who made the video I loved and wrote about last week has one on exhibition here in Melbourne at ACMI, it is about the use of whistling as a ways of communicating in disparate cultures. I can't wait to go and see it. Here is a video of her talking about the project

vegetable stamps

turn this...

into this...

with these super easy veggie stamp instructions

apron

Today we will be having class at AKA studio. Just a heads up we will be using paint so bring a smock or apron or wear old clothes, it won't be too crazy and we have a sink so you can wash off if you need too. I will have a few little aprons if you don't have one. Hope to see you there!

angelica mesiti

I saw works by a lot of artists when I was in Brisbane at GOMA and one of them was so truly mesmerising I can't stop thinking about it. It was part of an exhibition called Everyday Magic which explored elements of the everyday and the way they can be elevated into an other worldly experience through art.
It was a video installation by a Sydney based artist called Angelica Mesiti called Citizen band.
It consisted of four screens that faced each other with a seat in the centre. In secession each screen would show a person performing a traditional song from their country in an urban environment where they lived. The music was amazing and the thread off history, culture and displacement so poignant. I watched it through about three times. It was beautifully shot and executed. You can see a video of Angelica discussing her work here.

twig weaving

this is a great sensory exploration to do with children when you are out in nature it may look a little crazy as a finished object but it is the entire process of collecting assessing and making that is important...

turn this...

into this... 

with these twig weaving instructions...

March 13th Art Class venue change

Our studio is in a state of flux at the moment as one rental finishes and we finalise plans for the next one. There will be a bit of movement over the next few weeks with our Art Class. I am endeavouring to keep the day and time the same whilst finding a place to settle into. Unfortunately I was told at late notice that the planned studio we were going to use this Friday is double booked so tomorrows class will be held just around the corner from our first place in Phillips reserve. We will be doing some nature exploration so it will be the perfect location. It is a five minute walk from the corner of Blyth St and Nicholson. I will be in a shady spot near the play ground so come along between 10-12 if you are around. The weather is meant to be beautiful.

falling back to earth

I spent the weekend on my own firstly up in Brisbane and then in Sydney. It was wonderful.
I went to Brisbane to see Cai Guo-Qiang's exhibition  at GOMA.  I won't do it justice to describe it but if you have the chance to get there it is a wonderful experience. There are three spectacular installations and you can spend hours lost amongst them. The whole gallery was really good there were a few fantastic shows up stairs as well which I will show you another day.

pesto

 I was away for the weekend and there was no Art class on Friday and there for no children's activity to document. So instead in honour of Autumn and a garden full of basil here is one of my absolute favourite things to make and eat...

turn this...

into this...

with these  barely a recipe pesto making instructions....

New Space

all art work by my son

Just a reminder there is no Art Class today but they will recommence next Friday from 10am-12pm. All details except for the address will stay the same so click on the link if you have any queries.
 I have found a new spot to hold the upcoming classes for the next month or two until we get set up in a new studio.
The  address is 130 C Nicholson St. It is just across Blyth St on the same side of the road as the other studio, five shops in from the corner next to a Pizza Restaurant. It is called AKA Studios just follow the hallway and there is a big lovely room out the back where the class will be. I hope that will work for everyone and I can't wait to see you there. Thanks for you patience with the change of plans this week too.

gregory euclide

I was checking in on Elsa Mora's website as there is always something interesting there, and I found this post about Gregory Euclide. It perfectly combines my love of miniatures and landscapes. Just lovely.

Autumn leaves...or a quick lesson in why leaves change colour

turn this...

into this...

and find out why leaves change colour in Autumn with these

 Autumn leaf play dough instructions...