Bubble Writer Give-Away

A few posts back I shared a review and artwork made by me and the kids for  How to be the Best Bubble Writer in the World Ever! by Linda Scott. This is a brilliant workbook style book that introduces us to and guides us through the world of the bubble writer. I hope you've had a chance to do some bubble lettering art of your own. If you haven't and need a little guidance, here's your chance. I've received a second copy of this awesome publication and will be giving it away to one of you!

 Please leave a comment on this post with a way to contact you to enter. One entry per person. I will select a winner at random on or about September 5th. Good luck everyone!

My first Teaching Position

Well it's finally official. As of next week I will be teaching full time! I have just been hired as a leave replacement from September through November. One of the teachers I had subbed for last school year just had a beautiful baby girl and is taking maternity leave. And she has been incredibly helpful and supportive beyond my dreams! She has given me lesson plans, notes on classroom management and given me free reign in decorating the art rooms. I wish everyone could have this kind of experience. Thank you Emily!

So I have helped her unpack art supplies for the year, set up art rooms, started writing lesson plans, and have been reviewing notes, schedules etc. I have two days of new teacher orientation next week, and one professional development day for staff meetings etc. Oh, and then the real work begins. I have more and more respect for what teachers do every day! And my excitement is growing as well.

I wish you all the best for the 2011-12 school year, teachers, parents and children!

Zen Pandas

 I have been working on more lessons using children's books as inspiration. They make great cross-curricular projects, and highlight careers in the arts. I recently saw this one on MaryMaking and had to use it! Thanks Mary.

Students created mixed media works based on the children's book Zen Shorts by John J. Muth. The background combines pastel, ink and tempera techniques. The pandas were drawn in pencil, then sharpie, and color was added with watercolor washes. Each work depicts Stillwater the panda floating with his paper parasol. Enjoy!

Recycled African Masks

I love giving my recycled art classes during the summer. I hoard during the school year in hopes of having enough egg cartons, paper tubes, straws, or whatever I might find interesting to have enough for a group class.

I saw examples of these African inspired masks at Fem Manuals, one of my favorite art sites ever! They always have incredibly creative projects, recycle often, and really capture the adventure that their young artists are constantly having.

Our masks are created using recycled laundry soap containers, bottle caps, acrylic paint, and other materials from the studio. I assisted with construction using a hot glue gun. We discussed the stylized geometric forms and special uses for masks in Africa, as in many cultures of the world. Here are some of our creations.

Bubble Writing Review!

Laurence King Publishing contacted me and asked me to check out some of their upcoming books for use on my blog. The first I received was How to be the Best Bubble Writer in the World Ever! This is a brilliant workbook style book that introduces us to and guides us through the world of the bubble writer!

It is great for kids and adults alike. It can also be quite addicting! Author Linda Scott suggests minimal materials and a fun attitude to begin you on your journey. Oh, and she reminds you that there are no rules when it comes to bubble letters and creativity! The first three types of bubble letters are the foundation, so to speak, and then you can venture on to the more complex.

Use this workbook to create fun doodles, complete pieces of sketchbook art, or even design your own alphabets! Typography and design, pattern, color, composition—all of these themes are inherent in art lessons designed for children, when using this book as a guide. Here are some things we tried in class at the studio, using just pencil, black sharpies, and crayola markers:

Name Assignment: the students and I  went over the 3 basic bubble alphabets (freestyle, block, and shaded block) and created an art piece based on our first names.

Typeface Design: we designed our own bubble alphabets using our favorite animals as inspiration.

Comic Words: and for my manga/comic students, we used Scott's alphabets to illustrate examples of emotional dialogue.

Check out this video of Linda Scott demonstrating her genius! Thanks to Linda for such a wonderful book, and to Debra at Laurence King Publishing for sharing it with me and my students.

How to be the Best Bubble Writer in the World Ever! on Vimeo