weekend wonder

Class preparation is progressing in earnest here with lots of folding and bending and trying and trying again. Our wire sculpture class, based on the work of Alexander Calder who we have explored in past art lessions, is coming along well...our home is full of 'bent-bits' and slowly a beautiful garden of flowers is emerging!
These will be seated in our wonderfully textural cut logs.

There is inspiration a-plenty budding in Spring gardens around here...

6yrO was inspired by these prolific annuals in our vege garden and jumped at the idea of a spring garden collage, thick with colour, texture and beauty - she was so proud of her work! We are experimenting for the holiday mixed media collage class.

I love how creativity has a beautiful meandering effect...the photo below shows 6yrO three piece series....the spring garden above ground; the seed and roots in the dirt with bugs surrounding; a close-up collage of a bug! Spark the imagination and it takes you on the most magical journey!
This time mama was soo proud!

weekday weave

:: Remembering the magical creations our Saturday morning class made in 'kinetic sculpture' and 'wearable art' inspired by Alexander Calder and Maryann Talia Pau.

:: Taking time to celebrate an anniversary

:: Reminding my children how to treat one another and delighting that art is how they choose to be reminded.

:: planning a much anticipated splash-fest for a recently-turned-8yr-old!

:: Immersing ourselves in circle+oval shapes

:: Enjoying new designs

:: having these props arranged + re-arranged by my curious little helpers as we plan our two weeks of diorama's in the Saturday morning inspiration series!

:: Loving the feel of this wool between my fingers at any available moment!

EASTER HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS ARE HERE!

I am a bit behind in posting this weekend due to the bustle of classes and marketing preparation ...here are the dates for the Holiday Workshops! I will be updating the website, venues + hopefully you'll see flyers in a school near you through this week!

It is with great excitement that we release the dates for the WEAVE+WONDER Easter Holiday art+craft+books workshops!

These holiday workshops have been extremely popular and we have so enjoyed meeting and working with your children.
At WEAVE+WONDER, our goal is to nurture and inspire creativity in each child through the work of Great Artists, outstanding literature and innovative art projects!
We offer two wonderful venues who fully support our creative endeavours and enjoy hosting you for coffee+cake or to browse for that perfect book while your children are creating!

Over the two weeks of Queensland state school holidays, we are offering 6 workshops.
In the first week, the classes offered at Riverbend Books + Teahouse and the Gallery Cafe, Carindale are the same two classes.

Mon 2nd April: Gallery Cafe - Egg painting+clay - all about Easter!
Wed 4th April: Gallery Cafe - nest weaving + more clay - partner class with Mon 2nd.

Tues 3rd April: Riverbend Books+Teahouse - Egg painting+clay - all about Easter!
Thurs 5th April: Riverbend Books+Teahouse - nest weaving + more clay - partner class with Tues 3rd.

Thurs 12th April: Riverbend Books + Teahouse - Circles in Nature theme - acrylic on canvas!
Fri 13th April: Riverbend Books + Teahouse - Circles in Nature theme - paint+stitching mixed media work!


For more creative inspiration + class preparation, please take a look at our website www.weaveandwonder.blogspot.com or like us on Facebook to follow our journey!

We'd love to have you join us for these classes and bring a friend!
They always book fast, please email melissa@guyatt.net for bookings.

Mixed media Celebration collage

With our textural wooden substrate + your child's unique line drawing, representing 'their favourite celebration moment'. Artfully finished off with some beautiful collage work. This mixed media work will make a wonderful gift or welcome addition to your home gallery!
We will explore the work of great mixed media artists + discuss line drawing. And we will use literature to inspire your child's creation.
We will focus on drawing technique and how to transfer a finished drawing to another substrate.
I am looking forward to the entirely unique and expressive creations from your children!

My favourate way to Celebrate at this time of year, would be in an Eames rocking chair with some sensational books....watching my children at play!' I think this collage will remain here...a hint to my hubby for Christmas....! What's your favourate way to celebrate at this time of year?

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY ART CLASSES!

A little earlier this week we released the dates for the CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY ART CLASSES!
Please refer to the side bar for quick reference, however the classes will be as follows:

Monday 12th December - Clay Christmas decorations at the GALLERY CAFE
Tuesday 13th December - Clay Christmas decorations at RIVERBEND BOOKS + TEAHOUSE
Wednesday 14th December - Fabric + wire Christmas Garlands at GALLERY CAFE
Thursday 15th December - Fabric + wire Christmas Garlands at RIVERBEND BOOKS + TEAHOUSE
Tuesday 20th December - Mixed Media Celebration collage at RIVERBEND BOOKS + TEAHOUSE

The classes at the Gallery Cafe will be run from 9.30-10.30am.
Currently these classes are half full and we will run a second class from 11.00-12.00noon if we have enough bookings.

The classes at Riverbend Books + Teahouse will be run from 9.00-10.00am.
These classes are all but full ALREADY!! HOW WONDERFUL!
We will run a second class on these days from 11.00-12.00noon!

The classes cost $20 with a sibling discount of 15%
HURRY AND BOOK NOW - AS YOU CAN SEE, THESE FILL VERY FAST!

We will be posting here all throughout this week further details + inspiration for each class so do pop back in and be inspired!
Thank you for your EXCEPTIONAL support of our WEAVE+WONDER art classes, it is such a privilage to nurture creativity alongside your children!

making

Most of my making has an added 'research' element these days. I love the buzz of a new project, love the feeling when something new appears at my hand. In the back of my mind, I question, 'is this project one that will teach children a skill? Inspire them to their own creativity? Grow their love of Art and creating?' and such like...
Mostly though, I think as mothers, we often have these checks and balances without really being aware. We live our life as an example for the wee ones in our life to follow and as they grow, they are either inspired by or repelled by the example we set, no? Possibly a bit of both given the age and season!!
I was inspired recently by a reflection on motherhood. A daughter shared that she always loved that her mum, 'spoke of ideas and not people + things.' I want to be a mother who speaks of good ideas with my children, who inspires and encourages them to be all they can be.
With this in mind, I filter what I put my hand to...are the things that my children see me doing inspiring them or repelling them? Do I spend so much time on the computer or watching tv or on the phone in their presence that they come to resent those activities? Or do I make dinner or art or gardening or other meaningful work, and include them? Are they learning valuable life skills from my example? hmmm...
Back to the making....here are a few pics of some of the making going on around here. I gauge the success of these projects for children by whether their interest is piqued or not!
So, watch this space for new class ideas, I will post over the coming days.

:: there was much interest in this project, a gift for a special friend - the children were all inspired to try their own felt projects - a great medium for children to learn to stitch + sew!

:: a mixed media art project in the making - curious?...

:: this time of year always inspires busy hands with wool!

:: very excited to share about this project, keep eyes peeled for post about them!

:: couldn't resist a snap of the girls mothers day creativity - french toast with pear, ricotta almonds! A decorated table too...I am so spoilt!

the WEAVE+WONDER platform

What a delightful ride! I thoroughly enjoyed teaching a beautiful group of children this week at our first WEAVE+WONDER classes in the Gallery Cafe! They are all so creative and unique!
The cafe was a 'theatre setting' of sorts for the classes with great interest from passers by! The children and I, however, were lost in our creativity, each one engaged thoughtfully and purposefully!

I am hopeful that the children were encouraged and inspired to express themselves throughout our making time together and have come away with a sense of pride in their work and delight in all they have achieved. It is my hope that these classes will be a platform from which, children will continue to search, discover and create with materials in nature and around the home.
The natural world is bursting with inspiration and collectable matierials for mixed media artwork - stamping with leaves and paint, mobiles with driftwood, seeds, almost anything! Good quality materials always satisfy a budding artist - a natural colour palette, good paint, quality pencils and textural collage such as wool and fabric...etc.
I am hopeful our story time GATHERED, our images of great art INSPIRED, and above all our making time NURTURED the artist in each of the children!
I have been so pleased and humbled by the interest in and support of WEAVE+WONDER and trust parents will see great value in encouraging creativity in their children. We believe that children who are encouraged to dream and create become great visionaries and leaders as they grow, having confidence in their own self expression. At WEAVE+WONDER we are passionate about children and creativity!
I am looking forward to posting some feedback from parents and children about our holiday workshops in the comming days!