Art Instruction During a Crisis

Blog 7

When I wrote the last blog, most of us had no idea how drastically our lives would change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For most of us, our daily routines are disrupted with the shift of working from home or even losing our job. We are bombarded non-stop with scary new updates. People are afraid of getting sick and not having enough groceries (let alone toilet paper). Then, there are the very real issues of not being able to pay their bills. The necessity of social distancing is hard for everyone, especially people who live alone. Many people thrive on interactions with family, friends, and colleagues. I am lucky that my immediate family is close, but I miss the rest of my family and my friends. I am happy for all the new ways we can connect. When I came to Canada almost 25 years ago, we were not able to write emails or use Skype and Zoom for video calls. Overseas phone calls were expensive. As these are stressful times, please embrace the existing technologies to stay in touch. Please do not hesitate to contact me. I am still here for you.

As creativity helps to reduce stress, I have created short online workshops that are suitable for the whole family. Due to the online format, you can join us from all over the world. I will prepare a new project every week that we will create together. Once you have registered, I will send you a link for the live session. I will be using the Zoom platform. To make sure that you do not have to go out hunting for materials, I will pick items that most people have at home.

Here are the upcoming projects:

Saturday, March 28, 2020, 11 am: Easter Mandala

Materials:

•  paper, 
• pencil, 
• coloured pencils
• markers
• compass
• eraser

Registration: https://www.kerstinpeters.ca/product/easter-mandala/

When you register, I will also send you the image of the mandala that I created in case you would like to use this for the workshop.

Wednesday, April 1, 2020, 3 pm and April, 4, 2020, 11 am : Easter Doodle

Materials:

• paper, 
• pencil,
• coloured pencils
• markers
• eraser

Registration: https://www.kerstinpeters.ca/product/easter-doodle/

I will also send you the image of the egg that I created in case you would like to use this for the workshop. You can certainly create your very own egg.

All future events might be switched to a virtual format depending on the COVID-19 situation. In the event of a virtual session, I will reduce the fee as you will have to buy your materials.

While most of what we are experiencing is scary, I hope that we will also thrive on the positive changes: less hectic, more time for hobbies, to learn something new, and to spend time together as a family.

Online Workshops

Climax, acrylic, 10" x 10"

I wish you a great start of spring! As many of us around the world are asked to physically isolate ourselves, how are you doing? How are you juggling work and kids? How do you cope? Have you discovered some new hobbies? Have you started your spring cleaning early? I would love to hear from you.

I have cancelled all my in-person events until further notice, but you can join me online for the following events:

Free weekly online Creative Meetings on Fridays, at 3:30 pm for 40 minutes

We will all work on our own creative projects from the comfort of our homes. Please register at https://www.kerstinpeters.ca/product/crafters-afternoon-march/, so that I can send you the link to the Zoom meeting.

40 minute online Art & Crafts Projects, every Wednesday, at 3 pm and a repeat on Saturdays, at 11 am, $5/household

I will prepare a new project every week that we will work on together.  Once you have registered, I will send you a link for the live 40-minute session. I will be using the Zoom platform. To make sure that you do not have to go out hunting for materials, I will pick items that most people have in their home. The crafts will be suitable for adults and children. Please register at https://www.kerstinpeters.ca/product-category/registration/.

spring card 

Wednesday, March 18 and Saturday, March 21: Spring Card
Materials: glue stick, old magazines, one piece of white or colored paper (card stock if you have some)
Wednesday, March 25 and March 28: Easter Mandala
Materials: paper, pencil, coloured pencils or markers
Wednesday, April 1 and April, 3 : Easter Doodle
Materials: paper, pencils, coloured pencils or markers



This is the time to connect  – even when we are isolating ourselves in our homes. Next week, I will tell you more about my strategies.

March Break Project

Tissue Paper Fish

Blog 6

With the start of March Break in Ontario, I post an easy and fun tissue paper project that you can do with your children. You do not need a lot of art supplies, you might even have everything already at home.

Materials:

• 2 sheets of white or coloured paper
• coloured tissue paper (Paper from gift bags can be easily reused for this project.)
• scissors
• liquid glue mixed with water (2:1)
• cotton swaps
• wax paper to cover the work area

image 1: frame for the artwork, image 2: discarded inside, image 3: project in process

To make the instruction easier, I explain the steps of creating a butterfly, but any symmetrical shape (fish, apple, leaf, etc.) will work.

Steps:

1) Take one piece of white or coloured paper and fold it in half. Draw the outline of one half of your butterfly, then cut out the shape. Put the cut-out butterfly on the second piece of paper and trace the outline. Cut out the second butterfly. You will have two butterflies of the same size.

2) Draw a line 1/2 inch away from the outside of your butterfly, then cut the inside of your butterfly out. What is left is the 1/2 inch frame of your butterfly. Repeat this with the second piece of paper. As you have two smaller butterfly shapes left, you can decide to create another butterfly with the rest of the paper following the steps. I decided to cut the pieces of paper separately as it is easier to cut through one folded paper than through two folded papers, especially with children’s scissors.

3) Take some coloured tissue paper and tear it in little pieces. Then, dip your cotton swab into the glue and attach your tissue paper to the butterfly frame. Starting from the outside, you add more and more pieces that are overlapping, until the inside of your butterfly is filled. Lift your project carefully from time to time, so that it does not get stuck on the wax paper.

4) Take the second frame and glue it on top of the first frame. This way, you cover the edges of the tissue paper on the bottom frame.

5) Feel free to glue spots, antennas, or eyes to the butterfly.

6) Add some string or tape to hang your art project in front of a window. Admire how your butterfly glows, when the sun shines through.

Blog-free Week

Crocuses, acrylic, 8" x 8"

This weekend, we will turn the clocks forward an hour in most parts of Canada - one of the signs that spring is coming closer. You can already feel the increasing intensity of the sun. I am ready for spring. Enjoy the longer days! I will post a new blog next week.