Dino Faire

Few weeks back students students created dinosaur artwork for a local Dino Faire.  Each student drew their own dinosaur with the aid of a how to book, colored;  cut them out and made a collage landscape background to adhere to.  Love the interesting way each student colored their project.  These are kindergarten through 4th grade examples.  

  

African Animal Masks

February is the month set aside here to remember the contributions of my ancestors. One month out of 12...interesting!!??  Everyday for me is a time to remember the contributions of my ancestors, yours and all of our ancestors.

 Here's another project worked on with children at one of the schools.  This one was challenging for me. Cutting the shapes from recycled cardboard was the hardest part.  I'd suggest enlisting help of parents; an assistant or pre-cutting. Students drew their shapes while other preferred to use templates. Some wanted to do animals and others create their own non-animal design.  Also if  provided with very thin cardboard students can cut their shapes. I envisioned the masks as large as possible so I gathered cardboard boxes.  Encourage simplistic shapes without too many angles.  They are gessoed; and painted with acrylic and oil pastels .  Additional bits of cardboard are added to make them 3-dimensional.  These were done with older students of 3rd and 4th grade.  Younger students did watercolor paintings of masks which I'll post later. Quite nice and everyone was proud of their achievement.  Enjoy! www.colasmith.com

6 Week Children's Watercolor Workshop

Just finished teaching a 6 week watercolor class at a local school for first graders. I love seeing the wonderful work children create, so I thought I'd share a few photos. I learn much from them.

New Friends

Been a few weeks since my last note.  All is well.  Enzo is out of the rehab.  Been home in a wheelchair and learning to walk with the aide of crutches.  We thank all the angels at New Vista for taking good care of him.  When he first arrived we were so upset;  I initially described the place as a cesspool.  Enzo hated it as he was the youngest resident under 60 years of age and the policy of not letting him out for day trips. Once we got past the inital shock, in reality the staff was very kind, loving and caring, tho the resident doctor only came to visit once in a month ??!!??   Enzo made lots of friends as one can see in the photos saying good byes on his last day. We thank the New Vista staff.

Give thanks

So thankful today.  Last surgery which applied skin graft to son's leg went well.  Can you imagine having 4 surgeries in 3 weeks....wow.  We look forward to rehab, therapy and his walking, skating, and doing all the things he loves again soon.  This is an old photo but he looks so confident in it.  He's a cutie.

Hospital Second Week

Today my son is having his second operation.  He's in good spirits and glad to be getting it done. We took a few photos. He's been surrounded by supportive friends and family.  Lucky guy is being pampered, massaged, sang to, brought good foods, gifts, eating raw, drinking raw and emotionally, spiritually pampered.  Books, flowers and gifts pouring in.  He's making friends of the staff at the hospital also.   He found a heart at the site of one incision...LOL.  He's a magnificent person and I love him dearly.  He will blossom and grow through this experience.  This I know to be true.  God is watching over us now and always.  Breath.

So my son was involved in an auto/motor bike accident a week ago Friday.  We are so thankful he's alive, tho he has two broken legs and two fractured wrists.  Very luck young man.  The staff and doctors have been wonderful in his care and supplying information.  It's a long road to recovery and he is expected to walk again.  Thanks to all who've sent their love and come to visit.