2 Spring Time DIY Art Projects!

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH HEX SIGNS
PICTURE INSTRUCTIONS:

1. DRAW A CIRCLE, CUT IT OUT, FOLD IN HALF, DRAW A PATTERN & CUT IT OUT WHILE FOLDED.

2. PLACE PAPER PATTERN ON WOOD & DRAW AROUND PATTERN.

I USED A DIME TO DRAW AROUND REPEATEDLY TO MAKE A PATTERNED BORDER.

4. PAINT THE BACKGROUND FIRST.

5. I HOPE YOU LOVE YOUR FINISHED DESIGN! THE COLORS YOU CHOOSE CAN MAKE A GREAT DIFFERENCE!

6. HANG YOUR SIGN OUTSIDE! A GARDEN IS A GREAT PLACE FOR IT!

PENNSYLVANIA DUTCH INTERNET RESOURCES:

SYMBOLISM: THIS ONE IS A WISH FOR GOOD HEALTH AND WELL BEING, WHICH I WISH FOR YOU!

I found this website to be helpful in learning about the traditional symbols used in Pennsylvania Dutch designs and their meanings:  ​http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~aferm/genealogy/pennsylvania/hex.htm

​POLISH PAPER CUTTING
Internet Resources:

I found this website to be helpful in learning about Polish Paper Cutting or 
"Wycinanki" pronounced Vee-chee-non-kee is the Polish word for 'paper-cut:
https://sitesandstories.wordpress.com/2015/06/30/hands-on-wycinanki/

I used the very same pattern to make my Polish paper cut design, as I used above when I made my Pennsylvania Dutch design.  Both traditions are different, so I looked closely at many examples of both, but they do have similarities- mainly the subject matter.  I cut one continuous design on brown paper, which is how they are traditionally done.  Then I had bright colors of paper, so I used those to add color.  Feel free to use any kind of color you can find.  Sometimes I found Polish paper cuts that had no color added.  Brown paper on black paper would be fine too!  Mine is certainly more simple and not as intricate as the traditional Polish designs.  You can make your designs simple also.  Please send picture of your art to post below!  Happy Spring!

Student Art Gallery:

This amazing 6 year old, made a cut-out with symmetry and glued
​it as asymmetrical  design, which looks great!  So proud of her!  

Great Symmetry done with chalk on brown paper by Jane!

Creative use of household materials to make art! Thanks, Leah!

Creative Paper Cut with Symmetry by Leah!

Intricate paper cutting by Albert, age 9!

Emika and her bird design with symmetry!

Beautiful faces and beautiful art: Emika and her sister!

Beautiful symmetrical design by Maggie S, age 10. A symbol of well-being inspired by India. Colorful yet, Peaceful.

Simple, yet elegant symmetrical paper cut by Lylah, age 10.

A symmetrical spring time design by Khloe, age 10!

(I'm so happy to hear from any of my art students about what they have been doing with their time at home.)  Graham has this to say about the maps he has been making:  "This map, done in a traditional fantasy art style, is of the mythical land, Quinnlandia. It was created for the artist's teacher, who has a large sign over his door saying "Welcome to Quinnlandia". The features featured on this map are entirely made up, and if any of them turn out to be real, please don't panic and continue scrolling through your feed. If you want to try making maps like these, WASD20 on youtube has some pretty good tutorials on various parts of mapmaking."
Below are creatures that one of my teenage students created using pipe cleaners, fabric and a glue gun:

A glimpse of Camille's art space and work in progress.

Excellent work by Camille, age 16!

A glimpse into the sketch book of Emma S., age 17, shows lots of different techniques taking place!

Luna, age 7

Luna's Shoe Art!

Harper, age 7

Anna Kate and Madelyn have a Family whose been working on lots of art projects:

Anna Kate making art with random things found around the house.

More art with random things by her sister, Madelyn.

The art of Spring Time Cookie decorating by the whole family!

Anna Kate and Madelyn also decorated their rooms with their own photograhpy!