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.

AMERICAN GRAFFITI

Beyond the walls of the city buildings and under the full moon and stars...

...is a village in black and white.



This is where tall tailored, buttoned down hound's tooth and pin striped houses dance with the made-by-sheet-music houses and gigantic blooms that loom above.

Who holds the key that unlocks this mysterious village?

Does he?

Or does he?

We think that they both do...

...and when they turn the key to unlock the village gates, their imagination goes wild!

Using all the ways they can think of painting and inspired by Picasso, Matisse, and others of their era ~ they grab sponges, string, found objects, and bamboo paint brushes...

...all dipped in black ink and they begin to paint the city.

Finding some charcoal bits and corks left behind from last weekend's festivities, they continue to draw figures and shapes...

...and leave their graffiti art for us to enjoy and appreciate.

Sharing with you a sneak peek into our "BLACK & WHITE ARTS DAY" which we will be doing this year at SUMMER ARTS CAMP!  

{In honor of Guss, our black & white mascot, of course.} 

We cannot wait to see how the Camper Kids paint our city.