Drawing With Children (and adults too!)

When I was a little girl, one of my most favorite pastimes was drawing. I LOVED art! It was one of my most favorite subjects in school. When I had my son and knew I would be homeschooling him, I was very excited about the prospect of instilling a love for art in him. Although my son does enjoy looking at artwork, unfortunately, he does not share my love for creating artwork.

In the latest issue of Altered Arts, Jeni Calkins wrote an article entitled, Teaching Mixed Media & Altered Art to Children. This brought back to light my desire to teach my son how fun creating art is and how it's one subject he doesn't have to worry about getting any wrong "answers" (since we all know that there is no "wrong" in art - it's all in the "eyes of the beholder").

I found a book entitled, Drawing with Children, by Mona Brookes. I haven't read the whole book yet, but in skimming through the pages it talks about how anyone, children and adults alike, can draw, you just have to know the five basic elements that can create shape. The examples in the book of artwork drawn by children as young as two are amazing!

When we create altered art we tend to use the artwork of others, whether it be rubber stamps, paper, etc., but why not do this instead? (Okay, can you tell a challenge is coming up?) Create a piece of artwork that only entails artwork created by your own hands. Let the words be in your writing; let the art be drawn by you; only use embellishments made by your own hands.

To help spark your creativity, I'm putting this challenge up to our design team members and asking them to post their artwork on their Altered Arts blogs. Let's see how creative we can all be. Oh, and Cyndi, let's see what you can create too! What about me??? Well, I suppose it would only be fair to have me do the same.

Deadline: November 3. (I work better with deadlines.) :-)

Let's create!

-Clara

The Packages Are In! Design Team Search

It's that time again - our new Design Team Search. This is always something worth looking forward to - to see the creativity of various artists. Although I have received packages, I have not opened one yet. In order to be surprised, I want to wait until the actual day of judging.

It Must Be Summer!

Ahhh, the first day of summer has finally arrived. As I read the dates on our blogs I realize that we have been pretty quiet lately. I know for me summers tend to be more busy than any other season. Being a homeschool mom you would think that the school "season" or school year would keep me more busy than my summers, but that is not the case.

Having a 7-year-old and a 2-year-old means spending a lot of time outdoors taking advantage of all of that Vitamin D that the sun provides. It's funny how before having children I hardly ever spent much time outdoors during the week, but my how that has changed.

What season(s) do you tend to find yourself to be most creative? Obviously, summer is not my most creative season, fall and winter are. Spring, all depends on the weather. :-)

-Clara

Hey Subscribers - I'm Inviting You To A Meeting!

Hi subscribers! Guess what? It's time for us to brainstorm ideas for themes and/or article subjects for Altered Arts magazine's 2009 issues. Yes subscribers, I did say "us" - I am officially inviting you to this meeting.

Take this opportunity to share your ideas. We've heard from our designers, but now it's time to hear from you!

Now you do have a deadline. You need to get back to me with your ideas (either via email at clara@alteredarts.com, or you can post your ideas here) by May 7, 2008.

Can't wait to get your inputs!

A Masterpiece!

I have the March/April 2008 issue of Altered Arts in my hand, and I have to say that the cover artwork, as far as I'm concerned, is a rare masterpiece. Rare in the sense that I have never seen anything like it before.

As the Managing Editor of Altered Arts, I view artwork for each individual issue many times over; I see it in its scanned or photographed version; I see it in person; and I see it in its printed form. This is the case with the March/April cover artwork as well; so you would think that by now it would not have the same effect on me as it did when I first saw it. This is not the case. I am still "Wowed!" by it.

And guess what?! I have a surprise - one day this masterpiece could be yours... You'll have to keep coming back to my blog for more details at a later date.

Altered Arts E-Magazine - It's Finally Available - FREE!

Well, by now those of you on our email list should have received an email stating how you can download our new Altered Arts E-magazine. If you have had a chance to download and view it, share your thoughts about the e-magazine with me. Either email me directly at clara@alteredarts.com or post your comments here.

Folks, this e-magazine is FREE. If you haven't downloaded it yet visit www.mailboxmuse.com to do so. You will be given a coupon code which you must input in order for it to show up as free. If by chance the coupon code does not work, put "pay by check" and then DON'T send in a check - - the e-magazine is FREE! (Did I say that already?)

Hope to hear from you.

What I Like Most About Altered Art

You have probably heard people sharing the various reasons why they enjoy altered art, including the "no rules" part of it. Besides that, one of the things I enjoy about altered art is the fact that it can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be...you're in control. And the nice thing is that either way is OKAY!

My boys are really into trains so I decided I would create a couple of train themed canvases for their bathroom. These were two very simple pieces but hey, the boys love them! It fills me with joy whenever my 20 month old son points at them with pure pleasure.

So remember, it doesn't have to be extravagant to be considered a piece of artwork...just ask my 20 month old.

Happy New Year!

Altered Arts subscribers should have received the Jan/Feb '08 issue of Altered Arts by now. I hope you all enjoyed the new look. How many of you are now anxiously awaiting to see the new Altered Arts e-magazine? Guess what? I haven't seen the full copy yet either.... can you believe that? I get to be surprised! (Remember from my last post how I love surprises????)

I'm very excited about the e-magazine! I do know this, there is going to be some pretty cool stuff in it from what I've heard. If you're not an Altered Arts magazine subscriber yet, what are you waiting for??????