the above photo is from my art journal-i love fish! (no surprise there….and part of my name means fish, so you see i really am a mermaid)

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alright lets talk art camp. i am so glad there are those interested in doing this too! yay! i am going to give you a simple first assignment and discuss a few more things…

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if you already have your own art journal, bring it to show the kids. (or kid) there is nothing more inspiring than someone showing you their own work. it is okay if you don’t have one yet, and the first class would be a great way for both of you to bond and do one together. that is how i started-i had a friend come over with her two girls, and we all started one at the same time. kids LOVE it when you do art with them.  it is also helpful to have some art journaling type books on hand. (or any collage book that is inspiring) i like anything by sabrina ward harrison, this new book i got is great, and i also show them swirly’s new book. if you have a computer at hand, suzi blu videos are always uplifting and inspiring!

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it also helps to tell them why you are starting an art journal (or wanting to) what is your story? mine starts with a stuffy 7th grade art teacher with a big blond buffant who used a piece of artwork i did as an “example of what not to do.” i was totally traumatized by it, and did not do art again until my early 20s. now art is my life, and i don’t believe that shaming a child with art has ANYTHING to do with creativity-in fact, creating is the exact opposite. creating is love. art is love. and mean art teachers suck! (okay i leave out that last part but its true)

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kids like to hear your stories, it brings an element of realness to you.

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now i realize not everyone is comfortable with this, and that is okay. these posts should be used as guidelines and inspiration. no one needs to teach art according to the world of mccabe. use whatever speaks to you, personally.

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the kids love to decorate the outside of the journal, which is an easy way to start. i get the tan colored moleskin journals, which are nice and smooth and plain. i am a obsessed with letters-i love love love em! i had the kids think of one word and then pick out their letters from my very large sticker collection. by choosing just one word, there is more thought involved, and they understand that this is a special word. (you can give examples-peace, love, friendship, joy) i tell them that they cannot pick the wrong word, because this is their journal, and they make all the decisions in it.

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speaking of which, i repeat the fact that it is their journal a LOT. most kids are not used to this much free rein with art projects (compared to what they do in school) and ask many questions-for example…
“can i overlap my pictures with the stickers?”

of course you can, it is your journal.

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this concept may take awhile, and some kids get it more quickly than others. another thing that i emphasize on a daily basis is these are fat, messy, fun books. you can’t mess up in them! they are not precious little pristine books-they are wild and complicated and layered and colorful-just like you. every time i would hear, “i messed up,” i would reply, “that is impossible! these are books that are fun and fat and messy.” messy becomes a positive word, as does fat. they love this.

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so they choose a word..(you don’t have to use stickers-you can use cut-outs, letter stamps, etc) and then they get to decorate. i always try to set the art products up in an appealing way…so the kids naturally are drawn to them. i found a bunch of vintage plastic bowls at a yard sale-all pretty colors that are fun to fill with beads and things. i also use those plastic kids lunch trays. they come in beautifully bright colors! you don’t have to set up this way…just trying to get you to think outside of the box. use what you have.

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i think it is important to not overload the kids with art products. i don’t like this for several reasons: first, they are not going to value or appreciate anything if there is an unlimited supply. quantity becomes more important than quality and they may focus on more! more! more! rather than their art journal. (i will get more into that in the online class) second, it can be just plain overwhelming. too many decisions can be hard, especially on the extra sensitive kiddos.

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i like to start with 2 or 3 products. example: oil pastels, decorative papers with glue, colored pencils. show them how to use each one before they use it-even the simple stuff. learning how to properly care for the supplies is an important part of the process. making art is a gift, and so is you teaching them. if they are being disrespectful with the products-it can be really frustrating. (for everyone) luckily, most kids LOVE to clean, love jobs, love responsibility.
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other things that are fun to put on journal covers-mermaid/fairy cut-outs (i take cards i have saved and copy them…they look great, and it is much less pricey then buying cut-outs) tissue paper, ribbon, shells, crayons, paints…you get the idea. i bring out the glitter and a few rhinestones as a special treat once they have finished.

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so this should keep you busy for your first art date. some of the more experienced folks probably will do most of this already-i just did not want to leave out the beginners. remember-these are merely guidelines…listen to your own voice of intuition more than anything else.
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and have fun!

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tomorrow (hopefully) i will be posting some new products in my etsy shop. i have a few new rocks sets and my first canvas to sell. (hint: it has fins.) see you then!