IT WAS AS SIMPLE AS BLACK & WHITE

With a few pieces of art inspiration from my past,

{These charcoal on paper art pieces I made in a required beginning art class in college ~ abstract, Matisse inspired, organic landscapes.}

and channeling Ed Emberley's critter magic,

using some chunks of organic charcoal left over in our Big Green Egg,

the Camper Kids drew dozens of whimsical creatures and imaginary gardens.

They were fearless and it was hard to get them to put the charcoal down, so that we could work on the next project ~ midnight cityscapes.

Using scraps of wall papers, vintage sheet music, old catalogs and books, buttons, keys, and other found objects, villages were built one by one.

City blocks were planned.

Buildings were constructed.



The stars came out in the night sky to illuminate the tiny towns.

Awesome architects,

who each had a key to their city.

But we were not done yet.
On this very last day of Summer Arts Camp 2015, the Camper Kids were unstoppable!

Our final project was painting with black ink and creating abstract works of art using brushes, string, straws, and other funky objects which were dragged through the paint.  
So much fun and imagination!

Then the day was done and we prepared for the Celebration of Our Arts {those photos will come in the next post}.

The littlest Camper Kid was more than happy to help clean up our work space, and she made me this happy owl charcoal drawing before leaving for the summer.

LOVE.

What a great day.

IN AND OUT OF THE GARDEN

Our young Summer Arts Camper Kids put their garden gloves on, grabbed their trowels, and were landscape designers for the day during GARDEN ARTS DAY this June.

With a little inspiration from me and my muse, Matthew, we all created charming fairy and bug houses.

  
Using a collection of petite bird houses as the fairy and bug cottages and Spanish moss, tiny terracotta flower pots, paper flowers, pine bark, mossy twigs, and a garden full of other supplies and critters, the garden homes were embellished and the lovely little landscapes were planted.

Proud builders, designers, and first time home owners!

Ladybugs, bumble bees, dragonflies, and butterflies all seemed to find their way into these sweet imaginary gardens.

When the yard work was finished we then took our plants inside and created miniature terrariums using up-cycled jars and treasures from the garden and elsewhere.

  
The inspiration for the children were these buggy terrariums made with pebbles, moss, twigs, tiny picket fences, artificial flowers {so they would last forever!}, and other natural elements.

Some of the Camper Kids selecting the perfect vessel... 

...and then getting to work!

Each and every glass garden was unique and when they were complete, we wrapped natural raffia around the top of the jars and added garden markers made from punched Kraft paper and Popsicle sticks.

Bird gardens, butterfly palaces, lazy ladybug retreats, flower gardens...precious pieces of Mother Nature.

We loved getting our hands dirty during GARDEN ARTS DAY!

AND THE PEACOCKS PRANCED RIGHT INTO OUR CAMP!

It was a kaleidoscope of creativity and color when we celebrated Rain Forest Arts Day.

  
Warmed up from our Doodle Arts Day, the Camper Kids took their pens in hand, each first drawing the outline of their peacock.

 Then as they dipped their brushes into a rainbow of watercolors, they painted dazzling peacocks.

Each one was unique and beautiful.

Some were painted in all the colors of the color wheel.

While others were cool monochromatic tones.

After the paint dried in the sunshine, we embellished the birds with fancy feathers, sequins, and glitter.

The peacocks pranced into the lush rain forest and some even posed for a photo.

This momma peacock was very proud of her flock.

DOODLE DAY ARTS ~ PART DEUX {Pronounced "do" as in "doodle!"}

Our second week of Summer Arts Camp could not have been better. 

{Our doodle tools for the day.}

Again, many of our SAC Alumni were with us, as well as our new favorite SAC Camper Kids!   {But you know by now that we love them all, and they are all our favorites!}

It's tradition to begin each Summer Arts Camp week with "Doodle Day Arts" and this year's projects were fabulously wonderful.

Each Camper Kid put their hand prints all over us...

...with LOVE and JOY...

...and watermelons and strawberries!

We doodled on plates with Sharpies and created marvelous monograms, a riot of rainbows, and some serious sports designs.  

We even created a memento with all the Camper Kids' autographs {from both weeks...which we will keep forever!}.

We made "selfies" and had fun getting to know each other.  

I even had a minute to create my own "selfie" on a plate with a black Sharpie.

It was a wildly creative day and great start to our second week of Summer Arts Camp 2015!