Tag: kids art

Perfect Gift for the Experience Seeker

Posted on by Kathy Dennin-Meagher

Are you looking for the perfect gift for the experience seeker? This past year we have had many people enjoying and purchasing gift cards for art classes and workshops. Many gift cards are given as retirement gifts, but just as many are given as birthday gifts. We all seek out new and unique experiences to give as a perfect gift. Men, women and kids enjoy Raye of Light gift certificates because of the opportunity to create. They can try any class, from painting, to drawing or even pop art!

However, we do get a lot of questions about the gift cards and thought with the holiday season quickly approaching, we would attempt to make things easier and answer a few.

  1. Gift cards come in denominations as small as $25 and as large as $100.
  2. Your gift is not a card, but rather a personal customized gift certificate in .pdf file format. The certificate is personalized with the name and occasion of the recipient. We’ll email the file to you and you can easily download and print the certificate in the comfort of your own home or office.
  3. Gift cards expire at the end of every calendar year.
  4. The recipient of the gift card must contact us to set up their date and time to visit the art studio.
  5. Finally, you do not have to be an artist or creative person to enjoy the gift! Every person, no matter what their age or ability level, is taught how to create something special in the class of their choice.

 

We would love to once again help you give the perfect experience this Holiday season. Art classes in a small setting are comfortable, personable and enjoyable. You can even give a studio experience to your family or co-workers – up to 6 people. With a little imagination the possibilities are endless!

Use this link to get your gift card: http://bit.ly/rayeoflightgiftcard

Get out and great creative!

Is My Kid Talented?

Posted on by Kathy Dennin-Meagher

Drawing comes and goes, in stages, as our child develops. So, how do we know at what age our kid might have talent or a knack for drawing or painting?

Preschoolers start drawing with scribble lines that move into simple shapes that represent forms by the time they reach kindergarten. As they develop their thinking skills, they start critiquing their own ability to draw.

The Dawning Realism (7-9 years old)

At this stage in artistic development, children are beginning to become more critical of their own work. Drawing up to the age of ten is usually something enjoyed by school age boys and girls. It is at this stage of development that most kids decide whether to continue to draw for enjoyment. Many times, they stop themselves because of a comment or comparison that shuts down the joy in making art. This happens as their reasoning skill set and identity develops. If they are deemed talented, they might whether the storm, and they start drawing on a more sophisticated level seemingly overnight. This change is attributed to the next stage of development.

The Pseudo-Naturalistic Stage (10-13 years old)

According to Matt Fussell, from the Virtual Instructor.com, “The use of value and light is now apparent in drawings. Children at this stage of artistic development are very critical of their own success. Success is determined by the level of realism achieved in the drawing. Frustration is a common occurrence. It is exceptionally important to encourage students at this stage.”

This is a vulnerable time when many kids stop drawing. Timing is important so that the frustration level does not hinder their love for drawing which is just starting to mature. This is the age to invest in your child’s interest and talent. Most kids come with their sketch book filled with pencil simple line drawings. They might get recognized for their ability to draw form or copy highly stylized drawings like Manga.

  

When kids arrive at this level of artistic ability, is when we start to receive inquiries into drawing/art lessons. We typically meet with you and your child in the studio before you would start any type of art class or lessons. We have taken many kids that love to draw and developed their hand eye dexterity taking their ability to the next level. Typically, middle schoolers receive instruction and support in creating portfolio pieces, and the proper presentation of their art. The reward is a skill which can lead to a lifetime of enjoyment.

Contact me for more information on private and semi-private art classes. We are currently developing an after-school drawing class for girls, called, “Girls with Graphite“, see below flyer and link for more information.

Get out and get creative,

Art Studio at Home

Posted on by Kathy Dennin-Meagher

I used to day dream about having an art studio at home. I always put off creating one because I thought I needed a certain space, the perfect design and money to build it. You might be dreaming about a studio of your own — especially if you see blog posts by other creatives that feature their home studios. Well, I am here with a little wake up call! Or, in the words Nike borrowed from Andy Warhol…just do it! Actually I think the words he used were “don’t think about making art, just get it done”. Either version applies here, though!

There are many glamorous images in peoples minds as to what makes a great studio space. We have all seen beautiful spaces transformed into a creative studio space with dazzling white walls, industrial floors, and lots of natural light. In these photos, everything seems to have a place and everything is in it’s place. In fact, there are many HGTV shows that focus on just this topic. I let not having the ideal space at home keep me from creating art for many years before I had that “ah ha moment”.

Accessibility

Really the main ingredient for a studio space, no matter how large or small, is accessibility. For many years I pushed back the tablecloth and worked at my kitchen table. The main reason I did this was because I had easy and quick accessibility with, of course, great lighting! Whether you stand or sit in your space is really not important. Whether its new or old,  clean or cluttered, doesn’t matter. The determining factor for you should be accessibility! If it’s not convenient, you will never take the time to do your project or create when inspiration hits.

Close the Door

You also want to be able to close a door and walk away. Working in this manner whether it be at sewing, writing or painting, will allow you to pick up where you left off. I have toured many friend’s home studios locally and found them to be everything from a small table in the attic by a window in an empty bedroom, or just a clean spot at the end of the kitchen table. We all imagine the perfect setting and think it will produce better work, but honestly it just doesn’t always exist for the talented artists that I know.

If you want to start to create, find a small pocket of space and start! Don’t make excuses or hold your self back — and don’t wait for someone to go off to college either. I’m baring a little bit of my soul here, but here is my space. No judgments. Just use this post to add fuel for your fire!

If your haven’t found your creative corner in your home yet, don’t worry, I have the perfect spot for you to create. Come join us at any of our workshops this February. Use this link to see all of the classes that are available. I’m happy to share my creative space with you!

Get out and get creative!

Block Printing

Posted on by Kathy Dennin-Meagher

Some of you many remember block printing from your middle school or high school art class — and not in a fond way. I still hear horror stories from clients that remember trying to carve into hard, brittle linoleum blocks and trying not to stab themselves, all while trying to make something artistic in the process.

Well, my friends, those days are gone! Speedball and companies like Moo Carve have created the “soft block”. This new material is thicker, softer and allows for intricate and detailed carving all while saving your poor fingers from injury. The soft block allows you to carve with ease and focus on your design instead of fearing it.

February is a great time to reignite your love for block printing, by making you Valentine’s cards! The block printing process allows for the printing of multiple copies of the exact image which makes it a great choice for your Valentine’s cards. You can even print the same image and embellish it with markers making slight variations to the same design. You can even get your little ones in on the fun, by having them help with the printing process or by having them embellish the prints. Each card can be different and as special as the person it’s intended for.

If you decide to do tackle block printing at home you will need the following supplies that can be found at art supply stores like Art Things in West Annapolis or online here: 

  • an ebony pencil (for sketching and making a transfer backing)
  • your carving tool
  • a soft pink or blue speedball linoleum block
  • a soft roller for inking
  • smooth non textured paper
  • water soluble ink in the color of your choice

After drawing the image onto paper, simply rub the ebony pencil on the back of your design, making a carbon or graphite back. It can easily be transferred to the block by drawing over the design again. Carve out your design and then you are ready to apply the ink to the carved design. The process is trail and error until you get the feel for the brayer and ink. Then carefully turn over the inked block and press firmly and/or massage the block to transfer the ink to the cardstock.

If you have a change of heart and would like to take a class on block printing first, please come see me on Saturday, February 10th. Use this link to learn more about the class and to sign up yourself or with your family. Once you learn this skill/art form you will want to personalize every paper surface and tee shirt you own!

Let’s connect and create,