Texture is the feel or appearance of a surface or a substance. It may be the soft fur on your cat, the rough feel of a carpet, or the slimy liver you’re having for dinner. Everything has a texture, and just about anything can be used to create it. This project is all about stretching children’s imaginations by allowing them to explore different textures, using a variety of materials.
This creepy little garden was inspired by Tim Burton, whose wonderful characters and swirly landscapes have always been part of a Halloweenesque world. A terrific exhibition just wrapped up at MoMA and will be coming to the Tiff Bell Lightbox in Toronto in November, offering a selection of paintings, drawings, shortfilms and so on, spanning his career. While it won’t be on time for Halloween, it’s still a great idea to take your kids so they can enjoy his work, and the many activities that will be offered.
Filed under Halloween
The glorious days of summer are almost upon us, but let’s keep our enthusiasm in check shall we? Keep in mind the multitude of ailments the sun’s harsh rays are responsible for, leaving us to reap its benefits from pills in a bottle rather than a stroll in the noonday sun. And don’t forget those cottage visits, where hopes of a little R & R are dashed by a variety of blood-sucking insects that make the three hour trek not worth ANY amount of engaging conversation or wine. When we finally nod off, we are plagued by memories of garbage strikes, liquefied rubbish and fruit fly infestations. Back to the urban jungle and we’re forced to cross paths with humans unschooled in the fine art of deodorant use. We are worn out by relentless sweating, and subjected to olfactory distress caused by the ongoing stench. Goodness, that’s starting to sound a bit harsh. Shall we begin again? The glorious days of summer are almost upon us. Heavenly scented lilacs have just finished blooming, followed by a magnificent display of rhododendrons. Spring showers have greened the landscape and provided the perfect backdrop for the abundance of colourful flowers whose petals flutter in the breeze and provide delicate landing pads for those busy little bees collecting pollen, like the little bugger who stung me on the leg yesterday while I was sweeping… Let’s just make the fan which will enable us to cope with the heat in style.
Filed under fan
Spring Rain
by Matsuo Basho
Spring rain
leaking through the roof
dripping from the wasps’ nest
Filed under Chile, Multicultural Art, rain stick
All cultures have some form of good luck charm, like the rabbit’s foot or four-leaf clover. In Ancient Egypt, charms were known as amulets and were usually in the form of plants, animals, or sacred objects. They were thought to provide protection against evil or danger, as well as bringing good luck. These ornaments or jewelry were even placed with the deceased to ensure they had a safe afterlife. Some amulets are currently on view at the Art Gallery of Ontario. I had children make these clay necklaces, inspired by the exhibition King Tut: The Golden King and The Great Pharaohs.
Filed under clay, Egypt, jewelry, Multicultural Art
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