Art Show Collaboration… with a 10 year old

In October of 2013, I participated in an art exhibit titled “Relationships and Collaborations” held at Viewpoints Gallery Maui. Invited artists were asked to choose one or more collaboration partners who worked in different mediums so each artist would stretch their boundaries and explore new creative territory. We were also asked to observe and reflect […]

9 Stages of a Shield Volcano

This is a 4th / 5th grade lesson plan I designed to teach students how to identify the 9 stages of a shield volcano and to give them a dynamic mixed media experience. They loved it and so did I! Prior to beginning the art activity, I projected a “9 Stages” reference guide onto the […]

Mixed Media Portrait for Grade 5

As a teaching artist for the state of Hawaii, I create arts integrated unit plans for elementary and middle school students. In designing lessons for kids, I’m always thinking of how to engage them in ways that are high on the fun meter while skill-building in the chosen areas of study. An added benefit is […]

Threshold

I’m intrigued by unusual doorways and windows, and like to explore them in my work. Sometimes I’m inspired by doorways I’ve seen; sometimes they evolve out of my imagination. This particular piece, “Threshold”, was inspired by a passage I read in “Traveling with Pomegranates”, a book written by Sue Monk Kidd and her daughter Ann […]

How to Organize Images for Collage

Why I store my collage images in Ziploc bags… Over the years I have collected an enormous trove of images that I use in my personal art and journals as well as in my workshops and private sessions. Being able to find what I need when the inspiration strikes is the biggest challenge, so I’ve […]

Finding Images for Collage – Part 1

I use a lot of collage in my work, primarily in mixed media pieces, visual journal pages, and in my SoulCollage® cards. Before you start collecting, let me give you fair warning… it’s addictive. Once you develop an eye for spotting great collage imagery, you’ll be knee deep in pictures, patterned papers, and other things […]