We had a Memorial Day Breakfast at church this morning. So many families attended we had to set up lots of extra tables. Pancakes. Scrambled Eggs. Fruit. Sausage. A Flag Ceremony by the Boy Scouts. A program and patriotic songs. Visiting with Veterans.
Nick Cave's exhibit, Meet Me at the Center of the Earth, is BEAUTIFUL!
We loved his colorful,wonderful "Sound Suits". His first pieces were made from twigs that rustled when worn, hence the name....) He also had some large, round wall pieces that I loved too.
I couldn't take photos, but this is an image from the card I purchased. The costumes/art/sculptures are mostly made from found objects and recycled materials. There is a strong connection to African ceremonial clothing, along with a great "outsider art" sensibility. (Though Nick Cave is hardly an outsider- he has an art degree and is director of the Graduate fashion program at the School of the Art Intstitutes of Chigago.)
I know finding gigantic bugs at a thrift store might send some of you running for the exit. Not me. Especially since they were made of plastic. They were from the Lakeshore company, and in brand new, never opened packaging.
We went over a few interesting facts about bugs and insects before we tackled drawing them. And we created a five-level value scale to practice getting the full range out of our pencils. (We just use #2 Ticonderogas.)
I mounted their fantastic drawings on different shades of green cardstock- the scrapbooking paper cost more than the plastic insects!
Lots of carrots pureed with satsuma oranges, fresh ginger and a touch of honey. Yum!
I saw him on the shelf at a thrift store, his white plaster eyes just staring back at me. I walked past, but then had to go back. I picked him up, put him back on the shelf a couple of times...But he just had to come home with me. And Art Club transformed him.
I let the kids use any leftover paint. They had a blast! The first class was the last to see him all white like a blank canvas. Three classes painted on him so there are layers of paint on many parts as each artist had a new vision of what Beethoven's bust needed. And at the end of the last class, I added a few pattern details too. 
I took him home and sprayed him with a clear varnish. The next week, we presented him to the music teacher, who was thrilled to have him on display in her classroom. 
The table was set beautifully...
This year, we're exchanging requested blocks. This is the assembled blocks we gave to Dawn last month- this is for a breast cancer event and auction, Play for Pink. Love the floating star effect!
This giant quilt is also Dawn's, back from the long armer...
And Helen wowed us with another bright and beautiful quilt made from those versatile half square triangles! (I tried to sneek this home with me, but Helen was watching...)
Here are the blocks requested by Ardith- can't wait to see how this looks when you put it all together!
