Painting Italy now 27% funded!

How about that? Just one week and a few days after launching my kickstarter project I am nearly 30% of the way to my goal- woohoo! I'm getting so excited for the trip and the painting process and have started making lists of the things to take- thankfully I have all my art supplies and it's just a matter of bringing the bare essentials (after whittling down the must-have list some more!). I am allowed one checked bag that weighs no more than 50 lbs, and one carry-on not more than 22 lbs. It's a good thing summer clothes are light!
If you haven't had a chance to check out the project, please do- and then spread the word! Only 17 more days left for me to get to my $3000 goal, and you can help by pre-ordering my art. That's what the rewards are- paintings and prints of my Italy trip! Join the fun and push me over the top!

Kickstarter project is launched- choose your rewards now!!

I'm SO excited!! I did it- I launched my project on Kickstarter.com and am making the video this afternoon! (the video will hopefully be up by Monday night) I hope you have a chance to look at it and choose a reward (or two!) for yourself, or at least share the opportunity with the people you know- you know the drill... if you tell 2 friends and she tells 2 friends.... Soon my project will be funded and you will have helped! :-) check out the link!
Thank you in advance for your part in making my dream a reality!!
Kristi

Artistic Exploration of Italy

If you've been following my website at all, you know that I no longer have the paint-your-own pottery shop, but continue to paint and teach classes. I am excited to have more time to focus once again more fully on my own painting, and with that in mind I have an exciting plan for the summer!

On July 26th I will be leaving for a 2 week trip to Italy to make a life-long dream come true and paint in Italy! I will be traveling with my 16 year old daughter, Abbey, and together we will explore the sights, sounds, tastes and relationships that make Italy so special.

We will be visiting 5 towns/cities and I plan to do 14 paintings during this trip- of everything that in my mind is quintessentially Italian. We will visit Rome, Florence, Siena, Lucca and Naples. I'm sure we will hit some other places along the way, but those are the ones where we will stay at least a night or 2.

When we return I will be working on making larger paintings from the small studies I will do there and putting together enough to do a show all about the experience. I would love it if you would join me in this journey of a lifetime. There will be ways for you to support this trip and own some of the artwork created from it as it continues to evolve, so stay tuned!

Fingerprint Valentine's Day Card

Happy Valentine's Day! I know I've fallen down on my job to Blog and show you fun kid's crafts as well as new art, but what can I say, life happens! Anyway, here is a fun, easy and sweet way for your kids to make their own Valentine's Day cards. Just a couple of steps and you're done. Enjoy!

1. Fold card stock (cut if necessary to fit an envelope you have if you plan to mail it)

2. pour out a small dab of tempera or acrylic paint onto a paper plate- white + red makes pink, or just use pink or red. Other colors are fine too- message hearts are lots of colors, right?

3. have your child dip their index finger or thumb into the paint and press it onto the card stock.

4. Have them re-dip the finger and press it down again overlapping the bottom of the first print and angling it out to the side a bit at the top- see the heart shape?

5. Repeat as desired- do lots of cards if you like! Clean off the fingers with a damp paper towel between colors.

6. Let dry and draw around the hearts if you like with marker or crayon.

Have Fun!!

What is it? Doodle Waiting Game

Here is a fun game I played with my kids whenever we had to wait quietly somewhere. All you need is something to write with and something to write on. The first person begins with a simple doodle. The next adds to the doodle (or with 2 players finishes it). The only limits are your imagination and whatever rules you decide to impose. Here are 2 samples that show how the image evolved with the first, second and final doodles. Have fun!

Tissue paper flowers...

Hi Everyone,
I had planned to make tissue paper flowers and post the photos for this month's kid's craft, but we are re-doing our kitchen this week and I ran out of time. I will get to it ASAP and post directions and photos for you to have fun with. Thank you for your patience!
Kristi

Hand print flowers coming....

Using tempera or other washable paint-mix 2 light-ish colors for the flowers. ( It's ok to add white, but don't use more than 2 other colors or when mixed together you will have brownish flowers!) Paint on hands and press onto card stock or paper plates. Overlap palm print and face fingers the opposite direction for second handprint to complete flower. Let dry and add marker or crayon to center and to outline. Try cutting them out and hanging from a string in a hole punched through the top for a cheerful, moving spring display!Send me a photo of your child's creations and I will post them here!

Thanks for visiting my blog. Have a creative day! Kristi